Don & Raph, Hard ScienceDon & Raph, Hard Science | Art by Anthony Devine

Over the years we've seen many powerful Izzet () artifact decks in the Commander format, which is what makes Don & Raph, Hard ScienceDon & Raph, Hard Science such a perfect fit for this color combo. The twist that this duo brings to the table is offering up the next noncreature spell you cast after they attack affinity for artifacts.

That huge effect doesn't have to come with a big price tag, so join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, as I go over a full budget deck that you can pick up for about $40 (using TCGPlayer pricing.)

What Don & Raph, Hard ScienceDon & Raph, Hard Science Brings to the Table

Flooding the board with artifacts and casting huge spells is the name of the game for Don & Raph, Hard ScienceDon & Raph, Hard Science. Affinity decks have been powerhouses in various formats over the years, so when I first saw this commander, my eyes lit up from the potential. Simply attacking while you have artifacts in play could set you up for a huge post-combat.

However, I ran into several issues while putting this deck together, finding the balance between big spells and loading the board with artifacts a bit tricky. That was until I eventually found a solution.

The glue that holds this list together is a handful of X spells. These cards work well in both the mid and late game, as well as being powerful whether you cast them with or without having affinity for artifacts. While some of these cards offer interaction, the majority of them can refill your hand. That'll ensure you're constantly equipped with enough spells to cheat out with Don & Raph.

Before we look at the rest of the deck, let's take a quick stop at the X spells that help keep this deck's engine running.

X Spells for Don & Raph

Flooding the Board With Artifacts

• Pinnacle EmissaryPinnacle Emissary: This creature does so many great things for the deck. It creates evasive artifact tokens, and even have warp, in case you want to get it down for a single turn before you chain some spells together.
• Sai, Master ThopteristSai, Master Thopterist: Creating Thopters is useful for this deck, but having the option of cashing in some of your artifacts for card draw will ensure you don't get stalled out during a game.
• Saheeli, Sublime ArtificerSaheeli, Sublime Artificer: Putting more artifacts onto the board when you cast noncreature spells will assist you with your goal of lowering your steeper mana costs, while also giving you the ability to temporarily turn one of your smaller artifacts into another one of your big threats.

• Third Path IconoclastThird Path Iconoclast: Since this creature only costs two mana, it could set you up for bigger and bigger turns as the game goes on, all while giving you a wide board tokens in the process.
• Whirler RogueWhirler Rogue: Making two Thopters when this hits play is great, but the fact that it gives you a way to make your commander freely attack through someone's gummed up board is what makes it a slam dunk in this list.
• Detective's SatchelDetective's Satchel: Here's a card that offers you three artifacts for the price of one. Then, if you ever cash those Clues in, you're able to tap the Satchel in order to replace that token with a Thopter.

Artifact-Based Ramp

• Dowsing DeviceDowsing Device: Here's a card that I randomly found during a Scryfall search a few weeks ago, and logged it away in my brain for a deck like this. Not only does it offer a power buff and haste to a creature, but it can also flip over to a land pretty easily in this deck.
• Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice: Casting this mana rock early on in a game is always acceptable, but it's still a great option for casting with affinity for artifacts, since it could enter play with a lot more charge counters.
• Skyclave RelicSkyclave Relic: If you kick this spell as you cast it, you'll be getting three indestructible artifacts that will be sure to stick around for a while, helping you play out your big spells in two different ways.

• Enthusiastic MechanautEnthusiastic Mechanaut and Etherium SculptorEtherium Sculptor are both ideal turn-two plays in this deck. Lowering the costs of a large number of your spells, while also being artifacts themselves, is a great way to quickly speed through your game plan.

Big Spells to Cast for Cheap

• One with the MultiverseOne with the Multiverse: Here's a huge enchantment that hits play, and will make an impact right away. The fact that it gives you the ability to cast a spell from your hand or the top of your library for free, means that you could follow this up with another one of these big bombs.
• Wondrous CrucibleWondrous Crucible: Making copies of the nonland cards in your graveyard is a pretty strong effect, but don't overlook the protection aspect of this card, because that could just save you the game in some cases.
• Hit the Mother LodeHit the Mother Lode: While this is another way to possibly play a big spell for free, it still offers you a whole lot of Treasure tokens if you happen to hit one of your cheaper cards as you discover.

• Aminatou's AuguryAminatou's Augury: When a lot of players think of big splashy spells, this one comes to mind. Casting this for far cheaper than its normal mana value could set you up to win the game once it resolves.
• Brass's BountyBrass's Bounty: Here's another way to flood the board with artifacts. This card scales with the game, getting better and better the more lands you have in play.
• Saheeli's ArtistrySaheeli's Artistry: If you like what the other players at the table are doing, then you can simply copy their work with this spell. The fact that you can choose both of these modes makes this such a powerful effect to keep in your back pocket.

Don & Raph, Hard Science Commander Deck List

In Closing

Well, there you have it, my list for Don & Raph, Hard ScienceDon & Raph, Hard Science that you can pick up for about $40. If you're excited to build around this commander, I hope my findings are useful for you on this journey.

If you want to see more budget deck techs from me around a few other commanders from the TMNT set, then you can check them out here on EDHREC. Also, be sure to check out my YouTube channel The Pillow Fort, where it's my mission to help make Magic more accessible for everyone!