If I had to get money I would say she won't be banned. As much as she is a pain in the butt to face, she really doesn't have the format-warping, play-or-you-lose meta attached to her like cawblade used to back in the day.
I run a [[Zara, Hedron Grinder]] list. Spam tokens and then swing wide with buff spells.
Of course, there's always the traditional [[Krenko, mob boss]] if you like Goblins or [[Marrow-gnawer]] if you like rats. Both are very viable commanders.
EDIT: I can't figure out how to link cards, apparently. I'll leave you to look them up yourself while I figure out the linking.
I have an equipment brew that I've been testing. It loses the human tribal in favor of something along the lines of Ally tribal, actually. Stoneforge Acolyte and Stone Haven Outfitter both prove to be really useful. I still run Apprentice, as well as that Dwarf Artificer, too. In spite of having both artificer and ally subtribals, it actually holds together really well. especially when you tutor for that one-of Stoneforge Masterwork and equip it to your Kor Artificer Ally and then swing for 8.
I should also stress the importance that Needle Spires has on the deck. Double Strike makes the lord effects even stronger. Late game, animate it, throw a bone saw on it, and you can swing for 6 damage, going up two for each Weapons Trainer and/or Stone Haven Outfitter you have on the field
I know there probably isn't much support for it in standard right now, but I'm curious: if you were to make a mill deck in standard, how would you do it?
Additionally, a more unconventional route would be getting rid of threats from the library directly, such as Pick the Brain, Lost Legacy, and Invasive Surgery which doubles as mill as well as threat removal.
My immediate thought is that most of the cards that support mill use either clues or energy, so I think the best option right now is to do it in UG. Again, it's probably not at all viable, but I was curious to see if we could come up with anything, as per a thought experiment.
Messing around with the deck I've seen if you can't go infinite you usually have a healthy amount of thopters around usually 6-8. What about a 2-3 of of Stoneforge Masterwork? With 6 thopters out you're looking at 11 damage in one turn in the air.
Killer brings up an interesting subject: Do you want to dedicate every card towards advancing the combo, or do you want to have backup plans? Stoneforge Masterwork seems like it could be quite useful in a deck like this if you end up in situations like Killer describes.
Also, if you want to run Padeem and get the full power out of him, you need answers to big artifacts your OPPONENTS are running as well.
Exactly this. 90% of the standard decks you will be facing will most likely be running more than one color, so the chance to not be able to use it is basically 0. Plus, it hits all of the lands in the library and yard, too, so they have a hard time drawing into stuff.
Also, you're going to want to be very careful of Splendid Reclamation. It can and will hurt you if someone happens to be running one, like BG Delirium.
Have you considered splashing for blue? It gives you access to three one-drop counter spells, one of which can hit those pesky helicopters. Additionally, it gives you access to slip through space, another utility cantrip for one mana.
While I'm at it, you may also want to consider either bomat courier or stormchaser mage. The former grants card advantage, and the latter is a menacing beater should you not have the power to find your reservoir.
All of these give you combo in addition to Whirler Virtuoso, with three of them netting you positive energy. That being said, virtuoso is your weakest link. You need to find ways to ensure it doesn't get destroyed before you can combo, and a way to protect yourself from Lost Legacy is a necessity.
Reckless Fireweaver isn't all that necessary unless your opponent is running something like Fumigate or Savage Alliance.
Of course, there's always the traditional [[Krenko, mob boss]] if you like Goblins or [[Marrow-gnawer]] if you like rats. Both are very viable commanders.
EDIT: I can't figure out how to link cards, apparently. I'll leave you to look them up yourself while I figure out the linking.
I should also stress the importance that Needle Spires has on the deck. Double Strike makes the lord effects even stronger. Late game, animate it, throw a bone saw on it, and you can swing for 6 damage, going up two for each Weapons Trainer and/or Stone Haven Outfitter you have on the field
Some cards that look useful:
[[Manic Scribe]]
[[Minister of Inquiries]]
[[Startled Awake]]
[[Vessel of Paramnesia]]
[[Fleeting Memories]]
Additionally, a more unconventional route would be getting rid of threats from the library directly, such as Pick the Brain, Lost Legacy, and Invasive Surgery which doubles as mill as well as threat removal.
My immediate thought is that most of the cards that support mill use either clues or energy, so I think the best option right now is to do it in UG. Again, it's probably not at all viable, but I was curious to see if we could come up with anything, as per a thought experiment.
I see a lot of synergy between splendid and a lot of your creatures and such, I'd that what you were referring to?
Killer brings up an interesting subject: Do you want to dedicate every card towards advancing the combo, or do you want to have backup plans? Stoneforge Masterwork seems like it could be quite useful in a deck like this if you end up in situations like Killer describes.
Also, if you want to run Padeem and get the full power out of him, you need answers to big artifacts your OPPONENTS are running as well.
Exactly this. 90% of the standard decks you will be facing will most likely be running more than one color, so the chance to not be able to use it is basically 0. Plus, it hits all of the lands in the library and yard, too, so they have a hard time drawing into stuff.
Also, you're going to want to be very careful of Splendid Reclamation. It can and will hurt you if someone happens to be running one, like BG Delirium.
While I'm at it, you may also want to consider either bomat courier or stormchaser mage. The former grants card advantage, and the latter is a menacing beater should you not have the power to find your reservoir.
The following combinations can generate infinite thropters alongside a virtuoso:
Aetherstorm Roc, Aetherstorm Roc, Aetherstorm Roc.
Aetherstorm Roc, Aetherstorm Roc, Decoction Module.
Aetherstorm Roc, Decoction Module, Decoction Module.
Decoction Module, Decoction Module, Decoction Module.
Panharmonicon, Aetherstorm Roc, Aetherstorm Roc.
Panharmonicon, Aetherstorm Roc, Decoction Module.
Panharmonicon, Decoction Module, Decoction Module.
Panharmonicon, Panharmonicon, Aetherstorm Roc.
Panharmonicon, Panharmonicon, Decoction Module.
All of these give you combo in addition to Whirler Virtuoso, with three of them netting you positive energy. That being said, virtuoso is your weakest link. You need to find ways to ensure it doesn't get destroyed before you can combo, and a way to protect yourself from Lost Legacy is a necessity.
Reckless Fireweaver isn't all that necessary unless your opponent is running something like Fumigate or Savage Alliance.