Theory Crafting: Triangle Design

Three points, where two lines meet.

Brainstorm, illustrated by Justin Hernandez & Alexis Hernandez

Greetings, folks.  Welcome to a segment where we (in which I) discuss the EDH/Commander format around a central theme or concept.

So let's get into it.  What is the Triangle Design?  Without delving too deep into this topic, it is essentially how Cube designers use Shards and Wedges to craft their Cube archetypes.   In order to form cohesive deck strategies in a Limited environment, there needs to be overlap between the three colours in any given combination.

Linked is the Cube Cobra article on this, should you wish to learn more.

Today's challenge, the Temur Triangle Theory (aptly named T3).  

So what archetypes would apply here?  Well,  are known for artifacts and  is known for creating clones or copying effects.  Mash them two together, and you get the Temur Artifact Factory, helmed by Ich-Tekik, Salvage Splicer and Kraum, Ludevic's Opus!

In the Artifacts corner

Our primary gameplan is to flood the board with artifacts and keep the engine churning.  Modern Horizons 2 provided some great support for Clues, Food and Treasures, and we plan to utilize all these game items and take a bunch of game actions.

 

Tireless Tracker and Tireless Provisioner helps prop the deck's speed simply by hitting land drops, while Academy Manufactor represents the gravy to keep this value engine going.  So now we have a bunch of artifact tokens.  What do we intend to do with them?  

 

We could turn them into additional damage through Ghirapu Aether Grid and Reckless Fireweaver, or to act as mana rocks via Inspiring Statuary.  Alternatively you could, you know... just use them for their intended purpose.

In the other "Artifacts" corner

The other half of the deck needs to be able to churn out copies of creatures, specifically token copies.  What better way to do it than with our Lieutenant(s)?

Adrix and Nev plus Brudiclad represent the lynchpins of adding utility to the tokens you can generate, allowing us to double up our tokens and have them transform into various other items of your liking.  The rest of the deck is filled with a bunch of cloning effects.

Closing Out the Game

Having all those artifacts can be dandy and all, but how do we finish off our opponents?  Well, aside from the sheer beat sticks that both our Commanders can offer, we have a few alternatives. 

The Antiquities War is a telegraphed way to let your opponents know you meant business.  Turning your Clues, Food or Treasures tokens into 5/5s is nothing to scoff at.  Aside from that, you can make everything a Golem so Ich-Tekkik can buff a swole army.  The true spice is to have a copy of Biovisionary out and having Brudiclad sort out the rest.

You may find the rest of the deck here.  There's a bunch of cards for maybeboards and upgrades, plus The Locust God, for Roger's liking.

Threepeat

In conclusion, this was quite a fun exercise.  Using the Triangular Design for this deck-building has been quite the challenge.  I'll definitely be considering this method to build future decks, and maybe even my pre-existing decks.