Moving to Three-Color Shard Commanders

Creating Tokens

There is a lot of token generation that also creates synergy with artifacts, including Digsite EngineerDigsite Engineer, Chrome Host SeedsharkChrome Host Seedshark, Sai, Master ThopteristSai, Master Thopterist, Sharding SphinxSharding Sphinx, Dalek SquadronDalek Squadron, Malcator, Purity OverseerMalcator, Purity Overseer, Alela, Artful ProvocateurAlela, Artful Provocateur, and Thopter Spy NetworkThopter Spy Network.

Getting Instants/Sorceries into Opponents' Graveyards

While some versions of this deck go more all-in on this mill-based strategy, I'm choosing just some light inclusions as a nod to Soundwave's "Memory Plunder" ability.

With so much support for artifacts and tokens, sorceries like Maddening CacophonyMaddening Cacophony, Fractured SanityFractured Sanity, and Cut Your LossesCut Your Losses do not provide a ton of synergy.

The deck will instead largely rely on opponents casting instants and sorceries as the game progresses instead of devoting a lot of extra mill support. With that being said, there are some mill cards that are too good to pass up!

Tinybones Joins UpTinybones Joins Up has great synergy with Soundwave, Superior CaptainSoundwave, Superior Captain's robot spies, repeatedly milling more fuel for the front face of the commander. The Cyber-ControllerThe Cyber-Controller combines all three of the deck's main strategies, providing artifact synergies, tokens, and mill.

Finally, I wanted to try out Hair-Strung KotoHair-Strung Koto as another way to tie artifacts, tokens, and mill together with one card. Is it bad? Probably – but there's only one way to find out – and rediscovering a 20+ year old card that is relevant to a new commander is what makes this format so exciting!

Inclusions

Foundry in 7% of low-budget decks, Sword not on page. This old-school combo fits really well with this commander, especially with the artifact-heavy strategy I've chosen to build around.

All not on low-budget page. I find it fun to find strategy-dependent removal spells instead of just slapping Swords to PlowsharesSwords to Plowshares, DesparkDespark, and Generous GiftGenerous Gift into every deck.

Hour of ReckoningHour of Reckoning is a high-synergy tokens-matters card in 57% of low-budget decks, but I wanted to include other convoke spells to continue the theme.

Not on low-budget page. I love sneaking this equipment into all sorts of Commander decks, and this Soundwave build cares about artifacts and produces legendary creatures with evasion. Sign me up!

Not on low-budget page. This is my Challenge the Stats pick and is a slam dunk for this particular blend of artifacts matter and tokens matter. Being able to convoke into either face of your commander is the icing on the cake!

Exclusions

Because of the artifacts matter theme, this deck is leaving many cards that generate nonartifact tokens by the wayside. Company CommanderCompany Commander, Prava of the Steel LegionPrava of the Steel Legion, Space Marine DevastatorSpace Marine Devastator, Nadir KrakenNadir Kraken, and Chasm SkulkerChasm Skulker are all examples of cards that are popular with Soundwave that didn't make the cut because they don't create or particularly synergize with artifact tokens.

Some version of the deck try to make multiples of LaserbeakLaserbeak and RavageRavage with cards like Mirror BoxMirror Box and Mirror GalleryMirror Gallery.

Because Soundwave converts every time it makes one of these tokens, it seems like a lot needs to go right over multiple turns to ever worry about making too many robot spies.

I think cards like these are better suited for a strategy that creates legendary tokens much more frequently and easily, like Esix, Fractal BloomEsix, Fractal Bloom or Minsc & Boo, Timeless HeroesMinsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes.

Decklist

Deck Checklist

• 52 mana sources (36 lands, 13 artifacts, 2 creatures, 1 mdfc)
• 10 card draw
• 21 token producers
• 8 removal spells, including 3 mass removal
• ? finishers (largely Cranial PlatingCranial Plating-style cards that care about a critical mass of artifacts)

Mid-Budget Upgrades

If you want to lean more into the mill strategy, cards like Altar of the BroodAltar of the Brood, Mesmeric OrbMesmeric Orb, MindcrankMindcrank, and Sword of Body and MindSword of Body and Mind are artifacts that also have some token/combat damage synergies.

Cards like Illustrious WanderglyphIllustrious Wanderglyph, Stridehangar AutomatonStridehangar Automaton, and Skrelv’s HiveSkrelv’s Hive improve your artifact token production, while cards like Bennie Bracks, ZoologistBennie Bracks, Zoologist, Caretaker’s TalentCaretaker’s Talent, and SkullclampSkullclamp allow you to turn these tokens into card advantage.

Finally, SunfallSunfall and White Sun’s TwilightWhite Sun’s Twilight are powerful sweepers that also create artifact tokens.

Conclusion

Thanks for tuning in for this week's article! Whether you're a fan of artifacts, tokens, milling, casting your opponents' stuff, or all of the above – I think you'll enjoy building around Soundwave, Sonic SpySoundwave, Sonic Spy! Join me next week when I find a Grixis commander that is on the border of popularity. See you then!