So this is one of my favourite decks, because I see Sydri, Galvanic Genius as a very versatile commander. There's also a lot you can do with her (1) because of her colours and (2) because her abilities do not require a specific set of mandatory cards. I've played around with this deck for a while, and it's performed well in the past, and middling in the past - I can't seem to really settle on a good lineup as set in stone. It feels like the deck is trying to do too much, so I turn to MTGsalvation and the brilliant minds in the EDH section for help.
I would like this deck to not be grossly degenerate - I know Sydri can be, and those are not the sort of changes I'm wanting to make: I'm less interested in Combo than I am in synergy. I've tried to build the deck so that it more or less has an answer for most situations, but it's seemed to end up almost win con less. So there's clearly something not quite right, and I feel like I'm too close to see it.
So there it is. There are a couple of wishlist cards I am trying to track down - Wurmcoil Engine, Master Transmuter, but I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on this deck until I know what I can do to improve it.
Feel free to suggest whatever, critique, discuss, so on, so forth. While I love this deck, almost nothing here is sacred or beyond removal - I want the sum to be greater than its parts.
Here's my Sydri list if you'd like to take some ideas from it. I'm not a combo person myself so I go for strong synergy. While I have some combos in here, I never use them infinitely and my playgroup understands that.
That's a nice list without being broken. I should really add Ethersworn Adjudicator too. No excuse after C16. The arcbounds are a little harder to get hold of but I could probably track them down.
Yeah. Anyone competitive would say he's too slow, but I like him in a more casual build. Arcbound Reclaimer might be hard to find, but it is cheap. I was lucky enough to pull a ravager in a modern masters pack so that's why it's there. Same with the other expensive cards. I Managed to pull all of those from packs and they fit pretty well in the deck. There are much cheaper alternatives though
A couple that aren't on there that I rotate in and out are Myr Matrix and Darksteel Pendant, which are really good when animated by Sydri since they're indestructible
I feel like a 4/4 flying creature with Mortify attached that can untap at will ain't so bad. He's probably not the quickest, but either way we'd be talking a vastly different list if we were talking competitive Sydri. From what I understand there's a couple of serious builds that put her at T4-5 wins or some such thing. NOT the sort of deck I enjoy commanding or other people enjoy playing against.
Yeah a lot of that stuff would be hard to track down. Crucible there's chance of cracking as a masterpiece from kaladesh, but to be honest this wouldn't be the first deck I'd put it in. Same with Mind's Eye, although I feel like I'm pretty good for draw anyway.
Myr Matrix I can see being a solid addition. That activated ability won't get hit all that often, although in saying this, if I get the right pieces on the field this deck could create stupid mana. Then again, in saying that, there has to be a better use for stupid mana than 1/1 myrs. Blue zenith is, at this point, all I really have for a single card mana sink.
Agreed. I've gotten plenty of use out of Adjudicator in the past
Crucible of worlds is one of those expensive cards that isn't really necessary, but I just happen to have one. It does feel really cool to sac artifact lands and play them instantly out of the graveyard though
I have to say that I really love mind's eye in my version. It's a good animation target too. But I agree, it's not necessary
There's definitely better uses for stupid amounts of mana than myr matrix. I just occasionally pop it in because of its' synergy with Sydri. Turning it into a 5/5 indestructible is fun.
The thing I like so much about Sydri and artifact focused decks in general is that there are so many ways to tweak the decks and so many different ways to build them that no two iterations will play the same, even with the same commander
That's exactly what I love about her too. There's more versatility in her than almost any other general I know of. I just feel like my iteration lacks teeth. It seems to just durdle along, builds it's engine, and really not mount a lot of pressure on the table. Sure I could add some stuff like Darksteel Colossus, Blightsteel Colossus, Akroma's Memorial, but they all seem like 'goodstuff' inclusions that don't necessarily build any form of synergy.
To me the key seems to be finding a balance between having some valuable creatures to use her 2nd ability on, and the right balance of rocks and gadgets to animate. I'd prefer to have more of the former than the latter as her abilities are coloured mana intensive, but I also don't want to just slam any old clockwork dude into the deck on a whim. A couple of thoughts on what I have or could do:
- It seems like Disciple of the Vault should be in here over Underhanded Designs in this sense.
- I'm not sure Burnished Hart has a place here, as I've not got a lot of basic land, and there's alternate mana for days in this deck. Even Pilgrim's Eye might be a better option as I still get the ramp but I'm not giving up board presence to get it. Plus evasion.
- Whirlermaker is expensive for thopters even if I can untap it easily.
- Solemn Simulacrum>Filigree Familiar - I'm working on it.
- Do we see a benefit in adding Cataclysmic Gearhulk? I'm undecided. Noxious Gearhulk is straight up killer, especially with Mirrorworks and Prototype Portal.
- I'm pretty sure I have a spare Skullclamp - they go nicely on thopters.
- Soldevi Adnate? I'm not sure if there's any benefit to using it, but I do have one.
There are a couple of cards in your list that are probably not strong enough for commander. I'll start with the creatures.
Etched Champion - This is essentially a 2/2 for 3 that is hard to block, which is super weak. Also, when metalcraft is active, Sydri can't grant it deathtouch. I'd replace it with Etherium Sculptor because your curve is pretty high and you're already running Foundry Inspector.
Filigree Familiar - I think the best case scenario for this card is that you give it deathtouch and it trades for an opponent's creature and draws you a card. That's not worth 3WB in commander. Play Skullclamp instead. It's much better with your token subtheme. It also works well with artifacts that can sacrifice themselves, and 1 CMC animated artifacts, should you choose to add more of those.
Viseling - Your opponents need to have a ton of extra cards for this to do any meaningful amount of damage, and in those scenarios I do not think that Viseling will survive long enough to do anything. Giving it lifelink is cute but not worth it. If you want to dish out damage, I'd go for Aetherflux Reservoir. Keep in mind though that animating it and giving it lifelink with Sydri will threaten to end the game on the spot, and I don't know if you consider that degenerate or not. If instead you'd prefer to improve your overall card quality, I suggest replacing this with Well of Lost Dreams, which has excellent synergy with Sydri.
Voltaic Construct - This card does nothing worthwhile in your deck outside of going infinite with Basalt Monolith and Dreamstone Hedron. It's fine if you like having the option to go infinite, but if you're not aiming to do that, this card is pretty bad. I'd replace it with Rings of Brighthearth, and then to avoid going infinite with rings I'd replace Basalt Monolith with Sol Ring.
Darksteel Juggernaut - This card's probably fine. It's just a big dumb beater with no evasion that has to attack all the time though. I'd run a value creature like Sphinx Summoner instead, but that's up to personal preference.
Panharmonicon - In your deck's current state, Panharmonicon only interacts with 11 cards in your list, which means there will be a large number of games where you draw panharmonicon and zero cards that benefit you for having it in play. Either add more creatures and artifacts with ETB triggers, or cut this.
Krark-Clan Ironworks - This card has severely limited non-degenerate uses. Usually people run it for infinite mana/death trigger/etb trigger combos with Nim Deathmantle or fueling eggs-like shenanigans with Faith's Reward. I don't think it really has a place in your list, but it's pretty cute with Spine of Ish Sah. I don't have a suggestion to replace it, just wanted to flag it as potentially degenerate.
Refurbish - For an extra B you could have Obzedat's Aid and hit any permanent in your graveyard. For an extra 2 you could bring everything back with Open the Vaults. Beacon of Unrest was just reprinted in C16. All of these cards are better than Refurbish.
Ojutai's Command - This barely brings back any creatures in your deck, and if you have to use the gain life mode, you're probably going to lose anyway. Run Dismiss instead.
Also, I'm wondering if there's the possibility of adding Marionette Master. There's not a HUGE amount of support for abusing the fabricate mechanic yet - there's Power Conduit, orDecoction Module and Fabrication Module (which I see as a bit of stretch). If she were an artifact creature I'd be windmill slamming her in with some of the better modular creatures, and she would go through some serious mileage. I've got my eye on her, but until Aether Revolt comes out it remains to be seen if she has a place here or not.
There are a couple of cards in your list that are probably not strong enough for commander. I'll start with the creatures.
Etched Champion - This is essentially a 2/2 for 3 that is hard to block, which is super weak. Also, when metalcraft is active, Sydri can't grant it deathtouch. I'd replace it with Etherium Sculptor because your curve is pretty high and you're already running Foundry Inspector.
Filigree Familiar - I think the best case scenario for this card is that you give it deathtouch and it trades for an opponent's creature and draws you a card. That's not worth 3WB in commander. Play Skullclamp instead. It's much better with your token subtheme. It also works well with artifacts that can sacrifice themselves, and 1 CMC animated artifacts, should you choose to add more of those.
Viseling - Your opponents need to have a ton of extra cards for this to do any meaningful amount of damage, and in those scenarios I do not think that Viseling will survive long enough to do anything. Giving it lifelink is cute but not worth it. If you want to dish out damage, I'd go for Aetherflux Reservoir. Keep in mind though that animating it and giving it lifelink with Sydri will threaten to end the game on the spot, and I don't know if you consider that degenerate or not. If instead you'd prefer to improve your overall card quality, I suggest replacing this with Well of Lost Dreams, which has excellent synergy with Sydri.
Voltaic Construct - This card does nothing worthwhile in your deck outside of going infinite with Basalt Monolith and Dreamstone Hedron. It's fine if you like having the option to go infinite, but if you're not aiming to do that, this card is pretty bad. I'd replace it with Rings of Brighthearth, and then to avoid going infinite with rings I'd replace Basalt Monolith with Sol Ring.
Darksteel Juggernaut - This card's probably fine. It's just a big dumb beater with no evasion that has to attack all the time though. I'd run a value creature like Sphinx Summoner instead, but that's up to personal preference.
Panharmonicon - In your deck's current state, Panharmonicon only interacts with 11 cards in your list, which means there will be a large number of games where you draw panharmonicon and zero cards that benefit you for having it in play. Either add more creatures and artifacts with ETB triggers, or cut this.
Krark-Clan Ironworks - This card has severely limited non-degenerate uses. Usually people run it for infinite mana/death trigger/etb trigger combos with Nim Deathmantle or fueling eggs-like shenanigans with Faith's Reward. I don't think it really has a place in your list, but it's pretty cute with Spine of Ish Sah. I don't have a suggestion to replace it, just wanted to flag it as potentially degenerate.
Refurbish - For an extra B you could have Obzedat's Aid and hit any permanent in your graveyard. For an extra 2 you could bring everything back with Open the Vaults. Beacon of Unrest was just reprinted in C16. All of these cards are better than Refurbish.
Ojutai's Command - This barely brings back any creatures in your deck, and if you have to use the gain life mode, you're probably going to lose anyway. Run Dismiss instead.
- Viseling is a corner case I've been looking to replace with something better for a while. I've shied away from Aetherflux Reservoir because it's far too easy to end the game on the spot with it. To me EDH is about enjoying the game, not winning the game. I'll try to track down Well of Lost Dreams.
- Unfortunately, I don't have a spare copy of Rings of Brighthearth. I'm not really looking to infinite here, so I am open to other suggestions in order to replace Voltaic Construct.Ideally, this is the spot Unwinding Clock would take when I track it down.
- Darksteel Juggernaut is OK for the moment I guess. I prefer not to go for tutor/search cards, but Sphinx Summoner isn't too bad. It's not exactly what I'd like in this spot but it would do.
- Whirlermaker again I agree with. It's extremely expensive for what it provides. Myr Incubator I have, and took out because it seemed like a really heavy gambit - I'm honestly not sure if it's ever going to be worth exiling a whole lot of cards for it's second ability. I can definitely track down Myr Turbine and I've considered adding it previously.
- I think my justification for Darksteel Ingot was the indestructibility as a possiblity for animation. Also, I don't desperately need the colour fixing of either of the other signets. Orzhov Signet gets the slot for Syrdi's 2nd ability.
- Panharmonicon I was really just giving a go here as an animatable target that provides extra value. There are other decks I could run this in that it would pull weight just fine. I'd be happy to take recommendations here either for more ETB artifacts worth running or a replacement.
- I guess Krark-Clan Ironworks is really just there to pump out mana if I'm struggling to hit curve or as a free sac outlet if desperately needed. I'd be happy to take any recommendations to replace it.
- Seal of the Guildpact yeah I guess it's pretty average for the cost. I don't have a Gilded Lotus, and if I did this wouldn't be the first deck to put it in. I'd happily replace this with any other suggestions, or just another mana rock.
- Refurbish agreed. I'd forgotten Obzedat's Aid existed. Beacon of Unrest I don't have a spare copy of, but it fits well enough to add to the list, so I will pick it up. I did initially run Open the Vaults, but recursion is something I'd prefer not to share.
- Ojutai's Command I guess I ran as a utility card, despite it not really doing everything it should. I do have a spare Insidious Will that could replace it. The cantrip effect is nice, but it's really here as a contingency.
Thanks a heap for the recommendations, this helps a lot.
Nothing wrong with durdling around. If you wanted to, you could focus on just her first ability or just her second ability too.
Looking at her first ability, load up a deck with a bunch of non-creature artifacts, throw in Ensoul Artifact, March of the Machines etc.
If you were to focus on her second ability, you could make a deck that is heavy with artifact creatures already so you wouldn't be animating much. Instead you'd be a little more midrange or aggro and would be exploiting her deathtouch and lifelink giving ability. Maybe even go an equipment route
I feel like Cataclysmic Gearhulk wouldn't be the best fit. Whirlermaker is also no good
In lieu of running Sphinx Summoner, you could run Jalira, Master Polymorphist. She works well with the token theme, can also polymorph animated artifacts, and is generally loads of fun.
That's actually not a bad idea at all. She seems like a sort of Muzzio v2. Not quite as well powered, but she gives me options to trade rocks for creatures.
What do we think of the new Silas Renn, Seeker Adept? I could see him in here in some capacity personally. I guess without evasion he's really just a rattlesnake, but he could do some mileage.
What do we think of the new Silas Renn, Seeker Adept? I could see him in here in some capacity personally. I guess without evasion he's really just a rattlesnake, but he could do some mileage.
I think Silas Renn, Seeker Adept can be excellent, but requires some high-impact artifacts that sacrifice themselves like Memory Jar to really shine. I don't think he'd be particularly strong in this list.
I agree. Having found and retrieved my Scarecrone, she fills a 3 slot Silas would have been, and she gives me some recursion. Don't know what I was thinking.
I know you aren't going a combo route but have you considered Aetherflux Reservoir? I run it in a Sydri storm/combo shell, but I think it's still worth running in non-combo Sydri. As soon as you get above 50 life, you can use Sydri's abilities to kill everyone in a multiplayer game.
I LOVE Sydri Oh, def add Grand Architect. His pump plus the ability to tap blue creatures for mana that can be used to cast artifacts or activate their ability is awesome. Master Transmuter absolutely. I would say Magister Sphinx, but that depends, because he is considered to be rather cheesy. If you wanna win by beatdown then absolutely add Cranial Plating. Sculpting Steel is also amazing if just to copycat artifacts. I also have some equipment in the deck aside from Cranial Plating, mostly because it can be animated in case their is a board wipe or suited up on a thing to go ham. Def get Well of Lost Dreams because this deck needs as much card draw as possible. Oh and the beloved Caltops, being able to stop armies is swell lol. I tend to shy away from too many token producers, even in lieu of Skullclamp, mostly because tokens don't generate enough value on their own, (although IF you play a lot of "Lord" effects that could make a token strategy a lot more powerful). I can see Myr Turbine since is makes token at instant speed and isn't a creature that can be board wiped away (and to me that matters). I do concede to Sharding Sphinx since he gives ALL your creatures his ability, which is amazing. I also have recently added Bident of Thassa because the potential to draw a lot of cards is just too good to pass. You're right though, finding the perfect balance of creatures and non creature artifacts in Sydri has always been the challenge. Keep the suggestions coming, I am SO happy I found a live Sydri Thread!
I know you aren't going a combo route but have you considered Aetherflux Reservoir? I run it in a Sydri storm/combo shell, but I think it's still worth running in non-combo Sydri. As soon as you get above 50 life, you can use Sydri's abilities to kill everyone in a multiplayer game.
I have considered it. To me it's too much of an insta-win. I'd like more of a challenge than getting above 50 life and blowing everyone else up. I guess I am being hard on myself in that respect as Sydri has access to some serious arsenal, but it's just not me.
I LOVE Sydri Oh, def add Grand Architect. His pump plus the ability to tap blue creatures for mana that can be used to cast artifacts or activate their ability is awesome. Master Transmuter absolutely. I would say Magister Sphinx, but that depends, because he is considered to be rather cheesy. If you wanna win by beatdown then absolutely add Cranial Plating. Sculpting Steel is also amazing if just to copycat artifacts. I also have some equipment in the deck aside from Cranial Plating, mostly because it can be animated in case their is a board wipe or suited up on a thing to go ham. Def get Well of Lost Dreams because this deck needs as much card draw as possible. Oh and the beloved Caltops, being able to stop armies is swell lol. I tend to shy away from too many token producers, even in lieu of Skullclamp, mostly because tokens don't generate enough value on their own, (although IF you play a lot of "Lord" effects that could make a token strategy a lot more powerful). I can see Myr Turbine since is makes token at instant speed and isn't a creature that can be board wiped away (and to me that matters). I do concede to Sharding Sphinx since he gives ALL your creatures his ability, which is amazing. I also have recently added Bident of Thassa because the potential to draw a lot of cards is just too good to pass. You're right though, finding the perfect balance of creatures and non creature artifacts in Sydri has always been the challenge. Keep the suggestions coming, I am SO happy I found a live Sydri Thread!
Hah good to see the excitment for Sydri! She's so versatile, so there's a lot of discussion to be had.
A lot of those recommendations I either have, or intend. Grand architect[/card, Myr turbine I've added....can't be bothered looking at the list at top of page, but I think the bident is here too. I'm still on the hunt for Well of Lost Dreams and Master Transmuter. I think the deck is at the stage now where it generates some insane card advantage and serious mana, the question now is what to do with it all. No good having momentum and nowhere for it to go.
I know you aren't going a combo route but have you considered Aetherflux Reservoir? I run it in a Sydri storm/combo shell, but I think it's still worth running in non-combo Sydri. As soon as you get above 50 life, you can use Sydri's abilities to kill everyone in a multiplayer game.
I have considered it. To me it's too much of an insta-win. I'd like more of a challenge than getting above 50 life and blowing everyone else up. I guess I am being hard on myself in that respect as Sydri has access to some serious arsenal, but it's just not me.
That makes sense and I understand wanting to put that sort of limit on your deck-building. I just really love playing the card with Sydri, so I wanted to make sure you at least considered it!
That makes sense and I understand wanting to put that sort of limit on your deck-building. I just really love playing the card with Sydri, so I wanted to make sure you at least considered it!
I definitely had, and thanks for the suggestion! I guess a lot these impositions on the deck neuter how good it could be, but I guess I just want to take roads less walked. Thats what it seems like I'm heading for in this build anyway.
I would like this deck to not be grossly degenerate - I know Sydri can be, and those are not the sort of changes I'm wanting to make: I'm less interested in Combo than I am in synergy. I've tried to build the deck so that it more or less has an answer for most situations, but it's seemed to end up almost win con less. So there's clearly something not quite right, and I feel like I'm too close to see it.
Here's my list:
3 Sydri, Galvanic Genius
Creatures
1 Disciple of the Vault
2 Myr Retriever
2 Baleful Strix
2 Chief Engineer
2 Contraband Kingpin
2 Sage of Lat-Nam
2 Etherium Sculptor
2 Vizkopa Guildmage
3 Muzzio, Visionary Architect
3 Grand Architect
3 Foundry Inspector
3 Scrap Trawler
3 Scarecrone
4 Clever Impersonator
4 Vedalken Archmage
4 Padeem, Consul of Innovation
5 Ethersworn Adjudicator
5 Kuldotha Forgemaster
6 Duplicant
6 Steel Hellkite
6 Sharuum, the Hegemon
6 Sharding Sphinx
7 Myr Battlesphere
11 Metalwork Colossus
Artifacts
1 Sol Ring
1 Voltaic Key
2 Fellwar Stone
2 Illusionist's Bracers
2 Cranial Plating
2 Orzhov Signet
3 Chromatic Lantern
3 Basalt Monolith
3 Coalition Relic
3 Mimic Vat
3 Rings of Brighthearth
4 Thran Dynamo
4 Vedalken Orrery
4 Weatherlight
4 Boompile
4 Trading Post
4 Clock of Omens
4 Well of Lost Dreams
4 Unwinding Clock
5 Myr Turbine
5 Blinkmoth Urn
5 Mind's Eye
6 Staff of Nin
7 Spine of Ish Sah
9 Darksteel Forge
4 Thopter Spy Network
4 Efficient Construction
4 The Antiquities War
Sorceries
2 Lim-Dul's Vault
4 Debt to the Deathless
5 Beacon of Unrest
5 Thoughtcast
6 Merciless Eviction
7 All is Dust
10 Soulscour
Instants
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Dispatch
Planeswalkers
4 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
5 Tezzeret the Seeker
Lands
3 Plains
8 Island
7 Swamp
1 Isolated Chapel
1 Glacial Fortress
1 Orzhov Basilica
1 Azorius Chancery
1 Dimir Aqueduct
1 Academy Ruins
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Arcane Sanctum
1 Darksteel Citadel
1 Esper Panorama
1 Command Tower
1 Seat of the Synod
1 Vault of Whispers
1 Ancient Den
1 Inventor's Fair
1 Concealed Courtyard
1 Vault of the Archangel
So there it is. There are a couple of wishlist cards I am trying to track down - Wurmcoil Engine, Master Transmuter, but I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on this deck until I know what I can do to improve it.
Feel free to suggest whatever, critique, discuss, so on, so forth. While I love this deck, almost nothing here is sacred or beyond removal - I want the sum to be greater than its parts.
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/09-06-16-sydri-galvanic-genius/
A couple that aren't on there that I rotate in and out are Myr Matrix and Darksteel Pendant, which are really good when animated by Sydri since they're indestructible
Yeah a lot of that stuff would be hard to track down. Crucible there's chance of cracking as a masterpiece from kaladesh, but to be honest this wouldn't be the first deck I'd put it in. Same with Mind's Eye, although I feel like I'm pretty good for draw anyway.
Myr Matrix I can see being a solid addition. That activated ability won't get hit all that often, although in saying this, if I get the right pieces on the field this deck could create stupid mana. Then again, in saying that, there has to be a better use for stupid mana than 1/1 myrs. Blue zenith is, at this point, all I really have for a single card mana sink.
Crucible of worlds is one of those expensive cards that isn't really necessary, but I just happen to have one. It does feel really cool to sac artifact lands and play them instantly out of the graveyard though
I have to say that I really love mind's eye in my version. It's a good animation target too. But I agree, it's not necessary
There's definitely better uses for stupid amounts of mana than myr matrix. I just occasionally pop it in because of its' synergy with Sydri. Turning it into a 5/5 indestructible is fun.
The thing I like so much about Sydri and artifact focused decks in general is that there are so many ways to tweak the decks and so many different ways to build them that no two iterations will play the same, even with the same commander
To me the key seems to be finding a balance between having some valuable creatures to use her 2nd ability on, and the right balance of rocks and gadgets to animate. I'd prefer to have more of the former than the latter as her abilities are coloured mana intensive, but I also don't want to just slam any old clockwork dude into the deck on a whim. A couple of thoughts on what I have or could do:
- It seems like Disciple of the Vault should be in here over Underhanded Designs in this sense.
- I'm not sure Burnished Hart has a place here, as I've not got a lot of basic land, and there's alternate mana for days in this deck. Even Pilgrim's Eye might be a better option as I still get the ramp but I'm not giving up board presence to get it. Plus evasion.
- Whirlermaker is expensive for thopters even if I can untap it easily.
- Solemn Simulacrum>Filigree Familiar - I'm working on it.
- Do we see a benefit in adding Cataclysmic Gearhulk? I'm undecided. Noxious Gearhulk is straight up killer, especially with Mirrorworks and Prototype Portal.
- I'm pretty sure I have a spare Skullclamp - they go nicely on thopters.
- Soldevi Adnate? I'm not sure if there's any benefit to using it, but I do have one.
Etched Champion - This is essentially a 2/2 for 3 that is hard to block, which is super weak. Also, when metalcraft is active, Sydri can't grant it deathtouch. I'd replace it with Etherium Sculptor because your curve is pretty high and you're already running Foundry Inspector.
Filigree Familiar - I think the best case scenario for this card is that you give it deathtouch and it trades for an opponent's creature and draws you a card. That's not worth 3WB in commander. Play Skullclamp instead. It's much better with your token subtheme. It also works well with artifacts that can sacrifice themselves, and 1 CMC animated artifacts, should you choose to add more of those.
Viseling - Your opponents need to have a ton of extra cards for this to do any meaningful amount of damage, and in those scenarios I do not think that Viseling will survive long enough to do anything. Giving it lifelink is cute but not worth it. If you want to dish out damage, I'd go for Aetherflux Reservoir. Keep in mind though that animating it and giving it lifelink with Sydri will threaten to end the game on the spot, and I don't know if you consider that degenerate or not. If instead you'd prefer to improve your overall card quality, I suggest replacing this with Well of Lost Dreams, which has excellent synergy with Sydri.
Voltaic Construct - This card does nothing worthwhile in your deck outside of going infinite with Basalt Monolith and Dreamstone Hedron. It's fine if you like having the option to go infinite, but if you're not aiming to do that, this card is pretty bad. I'd replace it with Rings of Brighthearth, and then to avoid going infinite with rings I'd replace Basalt Monolith with Sol Ring.
Darksteel Juggernaut - This card's probably fine. It's just a big dumb beater with no evasion that has to attack all the time though. I'd run a value creature like Sphinx Summoner instead, but that's up to personal preference.
Next, the noncreatures:
Whirlermaker - 7 mana for your first thopter and 11 mana for your second is not worth it, man. Run Myr Turbine or Myr Incubator instead.
Etherium Astrolabe - You don't have to jump through so many hoops to draw cards when your commander is blue. Thirst for Knowledge, or Compulsive Research are miles better than this.
Darksteel Ingot - This card is probably worse than Dimir Signet or Azorius Signet, neither of which you are currently running. Swap this for one of those.
Panharmonicon - In your deck's current state, Panharmonicon only interacts with 11 cards in your list, which means there will be a large number of games where you draw panharmonicon and zero cards that benefit you for having it in play. Either add more creatures and artifacts with ETB triggers, or cut this.
Krark-Clan Ironworks - This card has severely limited non-degenerate uses. Usually people run it for infinite mana/death trigger/etb trigger combos with Nim Deathmantle or fueling eggs-like shenanigans with Faith's Reward. I don't think it really has a place in your list, but it's pretty cute with Spine of Ish Sah. I don't have a suggestion to replace it, just wanted to flag it as potentially degenerate.
Seal of the Guildpact - This card is trash and especially bad in a deck full of colorless cards. Replace this with Gilded Lotus.
Declaration in Stone - Is this a budget/metagame call? If so, fine. If not, upgrade this to Swords to Plowshares.
Refurbish - For an extra B you could have Obzedat's Aid and hit any permanent in your graveyard. For an extra 2 you could bring everything back with Open the Vaults. Beacon of Unrest was just reprinted in C16. All of these cards are better than Refurbish.
Ojutai's Command - This barely brings back any creatures in your deck, and if you have to use the gain life mode, you're probably going to lose anyway. Run Dismiss instead.
Urza's Factory - I'd be surprised if this card's second ability ever mattered. Run Phyrexia's Core to make up for the Etherium Astrolabe cut.
Having said all of this, I run Cranial Plating to boost her power if needed. And she synergises pretty well with Metalwork Colossus, Academy Ruins and some of the other recursion.
Generally, these are all pretty good suggestions:
- I agree with Etched Champion - I'd not realised he nonbo's with sydri. He'll go. And I have an Etherium Sculptor.
- Again agree regarding Filigree Familiar - I'll be adding Skullclamp.
- Viseling is a corner case I've been looking to replace with something better for a while. I've shied away from Aetherflux Reservoir because it's far too easy to end the game on the spot with it. To me EDH is about enjoying the game, not winning the game. I'll try to track down Well of Lost Dreams.
- Unfortunately, I don't have a spare copy of Rings of Brighthearth. I'm not really looking to infinite here, so I am open to other suggestions in order to replace Voltaic Construct.Ideally, this is the spot Unwinding Clock would take when I track it down.
- Darksteel Juggernaut is OK for the moment I guess. I prefer not to go for tutor/search cards, but Sphinx Summoner isn't too bad. It's not exactly what I'd like in this spot but it would do.
- Whirlermaker again I agree with. It's extremely expensive for what it provides. Myr Incubator I have, and took out because it seemed like a really heavy gambit - I'm honestly not sure if it's ever going to be worth exiling a whole lot of cards for it's second ability. I can definitely track down Myr Turbine and I've considered adding it previously.
- I've been trying to track down Thirst for Knowledge for a while, I agree that Etherium Astrolabe is overly difficult just for a single card a time. I've been considering whether I have enough draw just to drop it anyway. Vedalken Archmage generates disgusting card advantage, and Padeem, Consul of Innovation is pretty good too.
- I think my justification for Darksteel Ingot was the indestructibility as a possiblity for animation. Also, I don't desperately need the colour fixing of either of the other signets. Orzhov Signet gets the slot for Syrdi's 2nd ability.
- Panharmonicon I was really just giving a go here as an animatable target that provides extra value. There are other decks I could run this in that it would pull weight just fine. I'd be happy to take recommendations here either for more ETB artifacts worth running or a replacement.
- I guess Krark-Clan Ironworks is really just there to pump out mana if I'm struggling to hit curve or as a free sac outlet if desperately needed. I'd be happy to take any recommendations to replace it.
- Seal of the Guildpact yeah I guess it's pretty average for the cost. I don't have a Gilded Lotus, and if I did this wouldn't be the first deck to put it in. I'd happily replace this with any other suggestions, or just another mana rock.
- Declaration in Stone should go for Swords. I may have a spare copy.
- Refurbish agreed. I'd forgotten Obzedat's Aid existed. Beacon of Unrest I don't have a spare copy of, but it fits well enough to add to the list, so I will pick it up. I did initially run Open the Vaults, but recursion is something I'd prefer not to share.
- Ojutai's Command I guess I ran as a utility card, despite it not really doing everything it should. I do have a spare Insidious Will that could replace it. The cantrip effect is nice, but it's really here as a contingency.
Thanks a heap for the recommendations, this helps a lot.
Looking at her first ability, load up a deck with a bunch of non-creature artifacts, throw in Ensoul Artifact, March of the Machines etc.
If you were to focus on her second ability, you could make a deck that is heavy with artifact creatures already so you wouldn't be animating much. Instead you'd be a little more midrange or aggro and would be exploiting her deathtouch and lifelink giving ability. Maybe even go an equipment route
I feel like Cataclysmic Gearhulk wouldn't be the best fit. Whirlermaker is also no good
In (12)
Swords to Plowshares
Myr galvanizer
Compulsive research
Mind Stone
Etherium sculptor
Skullclamp
Beacon of Unrest
Jalira, Master Polymorphist
Insidious Will
Myr Incubator
Scarecrone
Esper Panorama
Out (11)
Whirlermaker
Voltaic Construct
Etherium Astrolabe
Refurbish
Filigree Familiar
Ojutai's command
Krark-Clan Ironworks
Etched Champion
Seal of the Guildpact
Urza's Factory
As it turns out, for some reason I'd taken Scarecrone out for another deck, which seems an awful idea. I'd also not replaced it. So it comes back in.
I think Silas Renn, Seeker Adept can be excellent, but requires some high-impact artifacts that sacrifice themselves like Memory Jar to really shine. I don't think he'd be particularly strong in this list.
Myr Turbine
Out
Panharmonicon
Synod Artificer
Out:
Myr Galvanizer
Seems like a solid upgrade to me. He can help generate a TON of mana and make available key gadgets when needed.
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
I have considered it. To me it's too much of an insta-win. I'd like more of a challenge than getting above 50 life and blowing everyone else up. I guess I am being hard on myself in that respect as Sydri has access to some serious arsenal, but it's just not me.
Hah good to see the excitment for Sydri! She's so versatile, so there's a lot of discussion to be had.
A lot of those recommendations I either have, or intend. Grand architect[/card, Myr turbine I've added....can't be bothered looking at the list at top of page, but I think the bident is here too. I'm still on the hunt for Well of Lost Dreams and Master Transmuter. I think the deck is at the stage now where it generates some insane card advantage and serious mana, the question now is what to do with it all. No good having momentum and nowhere for it to go.
That makes sense and I understand wanting to put that sort of limit on your deck-building. I just really love playing the card with Sydri, so I wanted to make sure you at least considered it!
[Primer] Dralnu Control/Reanimator BU
[Primer] Jolrael, Empress of Beasts GG
Nath Stax BG | Borborygmos Enraged RG | Ladies of Magic UGW | Aminatou Control UWB | Enduring Ideal Zedruu UWR | Momir Vig Combo UG
Modern
Restore Balance RWUG
Kiki Chord RWG
I definitely had, and thanks for the suggestion! I guess a lot these impositions on the deck neuter how good it could be, but I guess I just want to take roads less walked. Thats what it seems like I'm heading for in this build anyway.