Actually, it would be just as easy to cage any Vehicle with a Crew of 4 or less. This would effectively become, "{T} or tap any number of other creatures to Crew Mairsil: Mairsil is an Artifact in addition to his other types." I had already considered running Cultivator's Caravan, Heart of Kiran, and Weatherlight. Are there any other Vehicles worth running to eventually cage after it dies?
I was aware of the Mairsil, the Pretender and Quicksilver Elemental synergy. The problem is the rules for Loyalty activations being tied to once a turn per Permanent (the rules used to read once per turn per Planeswalker until someone did a similar interaction we're mulling over using Experiment Kraj, which would have allowed infinite activations a turn and they were like, "Nope; you're having too much fun at other players expense. We'll have to nerf this super hard."). This is why what I need to put together is some ability to flicker Mairsil in and out of play to make him a "new" permanent, thus being eligible for another activation; this necessitates mostly considering +# or 0 abilities with little to no regard for any -# abilities.
That said, although this rather Rube Goldbergesque janky combo (only surpassed by the old Mirrodin combo of starting with any 0 CMC artifact creature, such as Ornithopter, and sacrificing it to Grinding Station which untaps Summoning Station to generate a creature token you then cause to untap and sacrifice to Blasting Station which untaps Salvaging Station to use to retrieve the card you started the chain reaction with ad nauseam) is difficult to pull off, I'll need to be able to survive long enough to do so, hence some consideration for the middle -# ability on the original walker for survival / quality of life purposes or to pursue a win without the combo.
The combo we're talking about is repeatedly using only their +# or 0 ability by targeting them with Quicksilver Elemental after we render them creatures and flickering Mairsil to render him a "new" permanent to be eligible for Loyalty activations. This combo would never use any of the -# abilities.
The problem I've been having is an issue of embarrassment of riches, too many options.
I thought about using Angrath, Minotaur Pirate and going with a pirate tribal / treasure token subtheme. Another option is to go more strictly artifacts and use any of the Tezzeret's, Saheeli's, and Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast.
If I'm not careful, I could go through a list going, "That's cool, I'll throw that in." and end up with a list 200+ long and need to cut.
I had settled on 11 planeswalker's for sure before I knew the limitations on creatures with loyalty abilities:
Rowan Kenrith - the ult (i.e. last loyalty ability) for Mairsil and any Artifact Creature Planeswalker's I've got on the field
Saheeli Rai - the -2 ability that would give me more Mairsil caging opportunities along with the ult to go grab: Mycosynth Lattice, The Chain Veil, etc
Saheeli, the Gifted - the first 2 abilities (who doesn't want a token army that could reduce the cost of your spells) paired with Inspiring Statuary
Teferi, Temporal Archmage - all 3 abilities: +1 for general Sensei's Divining Top goodness, which I happen to own 1 copy which is either going in here or an alternative Mairsil combat Voltron deck idea (which, by the way, I found the idea of turning the Planeswalkers into equipment via Bludgeon Brawl hilarious) that I finished before I thought about this one, -1 for another untap source for Mairsil, and the ult for main reason to include him
Tezzeret, the Schemer - mana ramp and as an Artifact Planeswalker to Artifact Creature Planeswalker source, though an occasional spot removal / Mairsil buff is nice
Tezzeret, Artifice Master (he's on the price borderline that his abilities give him a green light) token artifact creatures, card draw, and tutor ult (more Planar Bridge than tutor)
Will Kenrith - already including Rowan, might as well get the other one so they're able to tutor each other; aside from that, his +2 provides for some nice creature control options and the -2 will give me draw along with making my other Walkers cheaper
Tibalt is a bad idea as I could draw into a Planeswalker only to immediately discard it. I like the idea of Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath as a possibility. He could give me a life drain effect that I could use to combo win along with a decent sized token making for a more traditional face-beat approach.
As for protecting my walkers, was going to run Soul of New Phyrexia until I found out that Indestructible doesn't prevent Loyalty counter loss. Any suggestions besides a ton of board wipes?
Given that, there is still the possibility of a large number of plus or 0 ability activations via a combination of infinite mana combos and bouncing back to hand. It could work but be very fragile to countering that would need addressing.
Infinite comes the fact that as a creature, Loyalty abilities may be activated any number of times. The one activation per turn limit only applies to Planeswalkers.
Also, thanks. I did not know the syntax to make a link to my working list.
After looking through some cards, I'm surprised no one mentioned Thran Temporal Gateway and other "I care about Historic stuff," type cards.
That said, although this rather Rube Goldbergesque janky combo (only surpassed by the old Mirrodin combo of starting with any 0 CMC artifact creature, such as Ornithopter, and sacrificing it to Grinding Station which untaps Summoning Station to generate a creature token you then cause to untap and sacrifice to Blasting Station which untaps Salvaging Station to use to retrieve the card you started the chain reaction with ad nauseam) is difficult to pull off, I'll need to be able to survive long enough to do so, hence some consideration for the middle -# ability on the original walker for survival / quality of life purposes or to pursue a win without the combo.
I do realize its a lot of moving parts. That's why I wasn't going to over rely on the combo. If I get it off, great; but, I should build it in such a way that I am able to win without the combo. Why I was going to include things like Razaketh, the Foulblooded, Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath, Trading Post, and Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast for a supply of either chump blockers, sacrifice fodder, or places to sacrifice, also why I wanted to run Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker, for the spot removal his +3 provides. I am also considering running Deepglow Skate, Treasure Mage (and/or other Tr- Mage friends), and Deadeye Quartermaster along with Panharmonicon, Flameshadow Conjuring, and Minion Reflector. I could also run Rishadan Brigand, Rishadan Footpad, Rishadan Cutpurse, and Angrath, Minotaur Pirate.
I was also going to include Padeem, Consul of Innovation which would give himself Hexproof if I can turn him into an Artifact.
I have reservations about using any self mill strategies. It telegraphs what I am about to do and makes me vulnerable to graveyard hate. I do own a couple of copies of Vampiric Tutor and I was considering Final Parting. Should I still run Soul of New Phyrexia, despite Indestructible being worthless to my Loyalty counters?
Before you suggest it, I am aware of putting Tree of Perdition on him is a strong move; but, in multiplayer environments, that move will get a target on my head real quick unless I can actually win the game the same turn I cage it.
I thought about using Angrath, Minotaur Pirate and going with a pirate tribal / treasure token subtheme. Another option is to go more strictly artifacts and use any of the Tezzeret's, Saheeli's, and Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast.
If I'm not careful, I could go through a list going, "That's cool, I'll throw that in." and end up with a list 200+ long and need to cut.
I had settled on 11 planeswalker's for sure before I knew the limitations on creatures with loyalty abilities:
Tibalt is a bad idea as I could draw into a Planeswalker only to immediately discard it. I like the idea of Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath as a possibility. He could give me a life drain effect that I could use to combo win along with a decent sized token making for a more traditional face-beat approach.
As for protecting my walkers, was going to run Soul of New Phyrexia until I found out that Indestructible doesn't prevent Loyalty counter loss. Any suggestions besides a ton of board wipes?
Also, thanks. I did not know the syntax to make a link to my working list.
Three sources of adding Artifact type to Planeswalkers: Memnarch, Mycosynth Lattice, or Liquimetal Coating; along with 3 sources of adding Creature type to Artifact Planeswalkers: March of the Machines, Tezzeret, the Schemer, or Tezzeret, Cruel Machinist; allows infinte Loyalty activations via Quicksilver Elemental's ability.
Suggested cards should be $10 or less each with some exceptions if a reason for it is compelling, such as Training Grounds, Teferi, Temporal Archmage, and The Chain Veil. Even these exceptions are under $20 each.
To view what I feel are must includes, look up deck 6549, Mairsil, the Superfriend.