Meria Scholar of Antiquity | Gruul Artifacts | Commander | EDH | MTG | Budget | Cut-Rate Commander

[@smartdude19902009]

I love the inclusion of the combos and using the commander's spellbook links just amazing for learning the deck!!! Love seeing you take the community's suggestions and evolving the videos!!

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad to hear you enjoyed!

[@benrichardson5662]

Small tip; Goblin Welder can be used on your opponents stuff. Use him to make them sacrifice a big artifact creature like Steel Hellkite in favor of a mana rock they might have in their graveyard.

[@mrsilverbutton7786]

Another Gruul for the fire! Been needing an artifact deck and might as well in my favorite color combo - great list!

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you like it!

[@bobcurtis5639]

Nice video. Just built an Osgir deck. The crossover with artifacts from that deck is ridiculous. I'm going to throw this deck together and experiment with switching out artifacts between the two. You have some cards in here that Osgir would like. Well done, enjoyed as always.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you enjoyed it! I can definitely see some overlap with cards that would work with Osgir and Meria - though I'm not surprised since there tends to be a lot of overlap generally in artifacts builds.

[@justynchristensen827]

Genuinely shocked Sensei's Divining Top didn't make it into the upgrades section, honestly the best possible upgrade I can imagine, being able to make sure your impulse draw is an artifact instead of something else plus being cheap is a perfect fit.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Sensei's Divining Top would indeed make a superb addition, but with so many upgrade suggestions I sadly could not cover all the spectacular cards that Meria could make use of (and there are certainly a lot). But if you do have one in your collection or fancy purchasing one of the build, it would make a great addition!

[@justynchristensen827]

@@GrazzetMTG that’s fair haha, she’s a great commander with a ton of good options.

[@princepersona]

experimental frenzy is also really good here.

[@Raakhvau]

Feels like Birgi would be a good addition with all the cheap / reduced spells we want to cast per turn.

[@GrazzetMTG]

You're right - Birgi would make a great addition to give us mana as we cast the free spells we impulse draw into! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@CloudCollapse]

Built a deck with Meria as my commander using any good stuff in my collection. My wincon ended up being Aetherflux Reservoir. So much fun to blow people up like that.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Yeah, Aetherflux Reservoir + being able to use your artifacts as mana is a very powerful combination to gain huge amounts of life and then start DeathStaring people.

[@barrysetser3909]

Finally got this one to play last night - what a sneaky build this is. Somehow managed to win despite never seeing any of the "damage all opponents" card for the evening. Yet again clocked a table full of far pricier builds. Heard some rumblings about "this could turn to a cEDH build". Whatever, not my grind, but that combo of impulse draw and flash artifact play was tough to overcome for the other players

[@GrazzetMTG]

They may not be too far off with this potentially being a cEDH build - seeing as Meria has a lot in common with Urza, Lord High Artificer, who see's edh play.

[@SFTortoise]

This is an interesting build? All the artifact interaction is neat, the reusability and playability looks fun and the thick recursion is nuts.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@OrochiBorgieman]

Fan of this channel after a friend referred you to me. I recently started playing MTG again after a five year hiatus due to work commitments and the pandemic. Trying to get back in is hard since I previously stuck with mostly Standard play, but I was comfortable getting back in via Commander format. I was wondering if you have ever considered making a separate series involving viable commanders from much older sets (or even older pre-cons) and making (or adjusting said pre-cons) decks using some modern cards? It would really help out players like me trying to get back into the game. Keep up the good work.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad to hear you've been enjoying the content! A lot of folks have asked me to tackle older precons and while I do not have time to do so now, it may be something I tackle if the future if I have the time since there does seem to be some interest.

[@Filshizzle]

good move adding the segment on combo plays. I have a good deal of decks with red and green in them already, but no artifact-focused decks, so this could make a fun addition to my playgroup. Also voted for Ramses as alternate wincons can level the playing field in my favor >:)

[@GrazzetMTG]

Good luck with it if you do end up building it and thanks for voting! Ramses is definitely good for stacking the odds in your favor, since you only need to worry about eliminating 1 player instead of 3!

[@melancholia34]

im new to magic and your channel is so helpful for just expanding my knowledge of whats out there plus ur narration is so clean

[@GrazzetMTG]

Its awesome to hear that! One of the main driving forces for making these video's are to help out newer players who may not be very familiar with the commander format or deckbuilding - so its great to hear that its doing just that!

[@Charles0002]

Just ordered this one as well as a couple other of your lists. Thanks for the good upgrade options list. I'm always willing to spend a bit more to upgrade, but often the EDHRec stuff starts getting into $600 or $1000+ lists very quickly. Not much in between.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you found them useful and good luck with the builds!

[@barrysetser3909]

Sheesh - GruulFinity found in the elven woods. Nice take here Grazz; you don't often do combo builds, but when you do, you don't play around

[@barrysetser3909]

Can we see all three? :) I'd have to roll with Garna as that seems the toughest build

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you enjoyed it! Its true I often don't due combo decks (just not my favorite type of deck to pilot) but if I have to make/run one, I want to make sure if has the stopping power to get the job done and not just spin its wheels,

[@morkyness]

It's Urza! But Red and Green! And less oppressive.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Yeah - this is certainly a case of "we have Urza at home" - but that said, this fixed Version of Urza is still plenty powerful and oppressive in her own right!

[@cortesdogodoyzera6998]

Great video man, just think you missed howling mine. So good for this deck

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you enjoyed it! Howling Mine would certainly make a great addition but sadly didn't make the final build do to budget constraints. Still, if you don't mind going overbudget or have a copy already, it would make a superb addition!

[@ellefent3649]

Thanks for another awesome video! I'm newer to MtG/commander and your videos have been great for understanding why cuts/additions are chosen. I'm curious what power level you would consider the builds of your channel generally, and I'd love to see a video discussing what power levels mean to you. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad to hear that you've been enjoying the build and they've been helping you out! Generally I would consider most builds that I make falling between power level 4 - 6. The regarding a power level centric video, while interesting, wouldn't be something I would have the time for currently. Still, I think is would certainly be a great topic for discussion and, if I do have the time later, I would certainly consider giving my 2 cents on.

[@clanechelon]

impressive deck for the budget, good job. That being said, my biggest fear with those kind of artifact cantrip deck (jhoira was the same) is that they get repetitive fast.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you enjoyed it! You're not wrong regarding the build potentially becoming repetitive - combo decks sometimes suffer from this since they have a very linear strategy, which may not be everyone's cup of tea.

[@landenisalive7182]

Keep up the great work!

[@GrazzetMTG]

Thanks, will do!

[@nathanwagoner4585]

I’ve built your Miirym deck and Aegar deck already. Wanna see what you do with Merfolk so definitely voting for MiHail

[@GrazzetMTG]

Hoe the Miirym and Aegar builds have been doing well for you! And also thanks for voting!

[@nathanwagoner4585]

@@GrazzetMTG aegar is missing a few cards but everyone hates when I play him because they know the spot removal shall ensue

[@RylanMichaelPardo]

I'm fairly averse to combo decks, and I live in fear of Urza. I'll pass on building this one, but I really like how you took time to explain the interactions. Have you ever thought about doing a "non-cut-rate" deck breakdown? It might be fun to see a deck tech with a higher budget.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you still enjoyed it despite not being a fan of combo builds (not a huge fan of them myself to be honest)! I have dabbled in increased budget builds before (or at least more expensive commanders), and it may be something I look into doing if I have more time (and enough people want to see it).

[@Galchoo1]

Cool idea, though the name is kinda clunky. I say we call that kind of deck tech High-Rate. That way, when we force Grazzet to work on even smaller budgets, we can call those Low-Rate.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Don't start giving people ideas....

[@Galchoo1]

@@GrazzetMTG Hoho... guess I will know what to wait for once you do that sweet face reveal. :)

[@Kushithesakemaker]

Let's get some merfolk going. I vote for Emperor Mihail II

[@GrazzetMTG]

Thanks for voting!

[@nickatwork]

The combo inclusion is a sweet addition. I think I'm gonna vote for Garna, the aristoattacks is cool

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it and thanks for voting!

[@Humanbean1100]

woah, this is basically the dumb cherrios biuld of jhoira I had, but actually has some sustain

[@GrazzetMTG]

Yeah, I can see the similarities between Meria and Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain - but the fact that Meria turns those artifact into ramp too may give her the edge.

[@crovax1375]

I'm suprised that Mystic Forge didn't find it's way into the main deck build, to bad it's so expensive. Ashnod's Transmogrant would be a janky to turn our commander into an artifact

[@GrazzetMTG]

Yeah, it was between Mystic Forge or Goblin Welder and the lower CMC goblin won out in the end - still it would make a great addition if you don't mind going over budget (as recommended in the upgrades) Unsure if having turning Meria into an artifact would really worth it in this build - especially since it would cost us an artifact to do it though.... Will have to see.

[@leonardobianchi7881]

I really want to try this deck! Do you have in program a video on Tor Wauki the younger?

[@GrazzetMTG]

Hope you enjoy it if you get the chance to take it for a spin! I do not have a build for Tor Wauki the Younger, but you may see him in a upcoming poll soon.

[@felipepereiragama8084]

Perfect

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you think so!

[@chiuka0]

Nice Decktech!

[@GrazzetMTG]

Thanks!

[@RIPRYUZAKI]

Two words. Thornbite Staff

[@GrazzetMTG]

That would work with the infinite mana / infinite artifact untaps combo as a wincon - though it is a bit pricy ATM (Needs a reprint). Good suggestion!

[@Galchoo1]

Oh hey, it's Bootleg Urza! Along with the combo section returning! Truly, a nice sight... even if the combo section is smaller than before. Whispers of the algorythm, I presume... guess we wait for Orzhov Urza to become a thing so that we break this commander properly. Well, looks like Ivy stole the spotlight as I expected... as for my vote, it goes to the Dimir assassination lad, because alternate wincons and Assassin tribal are bound to yield profit- I mean cool results. Day 384 of waiting for the Grazzet face reveal. So... bets on who will be the next planeswalker to be... compleat? My bets are on that one Chibi Secret Lair thing being the kill list all along.

[@GrazzetMTG]

Glad you enjoyed the return of the Combo section (its been quite a bit since I used it last)! Ramses, Assassin Lord is a interesting commander, just on the premise that it incentivizes the player to pick on 1 person and win - making it really mean but highly effective. Story wise, I think Karn is a solid guess - since at the end of the Dominaria United storyline he was captured and brought to New Phyrexia - but personally I would love to see Gideon resurrected and compeated so that Liliana would be forced to confront him.

[@4oWhat]

Soul of windgrace video? 👀

[@GrazzetMTG]

He's not too pricy for a mythic commander and seems like a fun build around, so there is a good chance he may make the polls in the future.

[@barrybigmac3836]

Hey Grazzet have you taken any interest in making a Toralf, God of Fury Deck EDH?

[@GrazzetMTG]

Sadly I didn't get the chance to build a deck featuring him when I was covering Kaldheim (back when I started doing these deck techs actually) and now with the my current release schedule I don't really have the time to go back to cover older commanders. That said, that may chance in the future as the channel grows or I get some free time - either way I'll let you folks know so you can let me know what commanders outside the current sets you want me to tackle.

[@Nick-qb9zv]

"having access to ramp and draw from the command zone won't win you the game" the truth hurts

[@GrazzetMTG]

I mean, it is true - all that ramp and draw won't do anything for you if you don't have a way to turn it into a win. But if you do have wincons that can make use of it, having a commander that can get get you ramp and draw will certainly make your life a lot easier!

[@Mulletdog1]

Yo, Meria is sick

[@GrazzetMTG]

Yep, she is powerful, no doubt about that!

[@calogeroargento6716]

Hello ! I post one combo... Meria+ Stuff of domination+ mesmeric orb. Then you can play some cards flashback or artifact from your graveyard. 😉

[@GrazzetMTG]

Interesting suggestion! Mesmeric Orb is a great way for us to mill ourselves (it and Basalt Monolith are a 2 card combo to mill our entire deck) but its a lot harder to do the same to our opponents. With Infinite mana through we can untap and tap our opponents creatures over and over again to mill them all out, but we would also mill ourselves out - but that shouldn't matter if we don't draw cards on the turn we do this (Since out opponents will deck themselves before it ever gets back to is).

[@GMMesmerize]

Everything is budget when you use proxies

[@GrazzetMTG]

Fair and if your playing with a group that doesn't mind proxies that is perfectly acceptable - but some playgroups and officially sanctioned events don't allow proxies, so having a budget option for those may be useful.

[@GMMesmerize]

@@GrazzetMTG sure, that's definitely true. And I wasn't taking a jab at budget videos or anything; I love them. But with the way WoTC has been lately with their shitty business practices, I just enjoy advocating for proxies. I wanna support this game, I just hate that it means supporting WoTC.

[@NoMercyFtw]

i would build equipment

[@GrazzetMTG]

I've seen a few equipment focused builds and they are pretty solid too - since once the equipment comes down we can use them the pay of their own equip cost and then as ramp/draw - so it seems like a very viable build to take Meria as well.

[@NoMercyFtw]

@@GrazzetMTG yep thats what i was thinking

[@joaomatos8211]

Day 1 of asking for a Nekusar Budget deck

[@GrazzetMTG]

Unsure if I'll have time to tackle this commander any time soon (despite me actually liking him) but we'll see what we can do in the future (if I get the time).

[@joaomatos8211]

@@GrazzetMTG would be real fun to see. I've been planning on building him but its so different than what im used to that im kinda lost XD

[@ryry8997]

broken

[@GrazzetMTG]

Yeah, she just might be if her predecessor (Urza) is anything to go by....