<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kilo, Apogee Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Kilo, Apogee Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/duongct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuan Duong Chu</a></em></p>
<p>If you picked up the <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/counter-intelligence-edge-of-eternities-precon-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Counter Intelligence</em> precon</a>, then I'm assuming you've already asked yourself an important question: "Which commander should I run at the helm of this deck?"</p>
<p>Well, if you chose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kilo, Apogee Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Kilo, Apogee Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> then you probably got hit with another tough one, like "What cards should I add to the 99 to best support my new robotic friend?"</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kilo, Apogee Mind"></div></div>
<p>That's where I come in! My name is <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, and today I'm going over 14 cards for under $14 that you can pick up to get this deck more suited for Kilo in the command zone.</p>
<p>Be warned, because this new legend has already built up quite the reputation in the short time it's been on the scene, to avoid any unwarranted aggression that might come your way, here's an example for a Rule Zero speech you can give to the rest of the table before you start a new game.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Hello, I'm going to play my upgraded Counter Intelligence precon with Kilo in the command zone. It does not go infinite. It does not have infect. Please do not kill me first, I just want to play with a silly little Robot..."</em></p>
<p>I hope that helps! Now, without further ado, here is my list of budget cards to highlight Kilo's best qualities. Plus, at the end of the list, I'll give my recommendations for what cards to cut in order to make room for these new additions.</p>
<h2>Counters</h2>
<h3>Recon Craft Theta</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Recon Craft Theta"></div></div>
<p>Kicking off our list, we have a Vehicle that can help with tapping your commander, adds counters to the board, and even proliferates. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Recon Craft Theta" href="#" target="_blank">Recon Craft Theta</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is everything this upgraded deck is looking for and can come down perfectly on curve the turn after you cast Kilo.</p>
<h3>Reckoner Bankbuster</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reckoner Bankbuster"></div></div>
<p>Keeping with Vehicles, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reckoner Bankbuster" href="#" target="_blank">Reckoner Bankbuster</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This enters with three charge counters already on it and brings card draw, mana ramp, and creature tokens to the mix - all that as early as turn two.</p>
<h3>Voyager Glidecar</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voyager Glidecar"></div></div>
<p>Turn one plays are always coveted in Commander, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voyager Glidecar" href="#" target="_blank">Voyager Glidecar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an amazing one-drop in this upgraded deck. When it hits the board, you scry 1, which helps smooth out your second turn’s draw. Plus, it gets a counter with that tap ability, and we know Kilo loves to see that!</p>
<h3>Arcbound Shikari</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Arcbound Shikari"></div></div>
<p>Modular is a strong effect in this type of deck, which made <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcbound Shikari" href="#" target="_blank">Arcbound Shikari</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> feel like an absolute all-star for this list. Hitting the board and giving out counters to all your artifact creatures means that you'll have plenty of targets to proliferate moving forward.</p>
<h3>Jhoira, Ageless Innovator</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jhoira, Ageless Innovator"></div></div>
<p>If you're wondering how you're going to cast all these artifacts, well that’s where <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jhoira, Ageless Innovator" href="#" target="_blank">Jhoira, Ageless Innovator</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes in. Tapping her once will get you those two counters, which you can then grow more and more as the game goes on, which can make for some explosive late game plays.</p>
<h3>Four Knocks</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Four Knocks"></div></div>
<p>Keeping your hand full in a deck like this will be important, which is why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Four Knocks" href="#" target="_blank">Four Knocks</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be a sneakily good card in the 99. Usually, this enchantment will go away after only giving you a few draws, but when you can continually add time counters to it, you’ll be getting that extra draw at the start of your turn as long as you need.</p>
<h3>Lost in the Maze</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lost in the Maze"></div></div>
<p>Proliferating counters on your permanents is great, but what if you did it to your opponents' threats as well? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lost in the Maze" href="#" target="_blank">Lost in the Maze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes down at flash speed and puts stun counters on your foes' best creatures. Plus, it also gives your tapped creatures hexproof, which your commander will be thankful for.</p>
<h2>Tapping &amp; Untapping</h2>
<p>Speaking of turning Kilo sideways, our next section is all about tapping and untapping your commander to ensure your main game plan is moving as smoothly as possible.</p>
<h3>Springleaf Drum</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Springleaf Drum"></div></div>
<p>One of the cleanest ways to get Kilo tapped is with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Springleaf Drum" href="#" target="_blank">Springleaf Drum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can come down early and add a bit more ramp to the deck. Tapping this and your commander to get a mana, and add counters to whatever you please, is the type of synergy that will keep this engine rolling.</p>
<h3>Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset"></div></div>
<p>Now, if you’re looking to untap your commander, then <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset" href="#" target="_blank">Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is what you need. His +1 ability is an absolute powerhouse for your game plan, untapping an artifact (like Kilo), another creature, and a land are all great. When you consider you can tap down your opponents' permanents as well, that's just added value.</p>
<h3>Survivors' Encampment</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Survivors&#039; Encampment"></div></div>
<p>Including a way to tap your commander in your mana base is a great way to ensure you'll always have that proliferate effect at your disposal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Survivors&#039; Encampment" href="#" target="_blank">Survivors&#039; Encampment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> comes into play untapped and makes you a colorless mana, which isn’t too bad in this artifact-heavy deck.</p>
<p>The real highlight here is that you can tap Kilo to make a mana of any color; which helps this land pull double duty for you.</p>
<h3>Manifold Key</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Manifold Key"></div></div>
<p>Up next, we have the classic untapper, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Manifold Key" href="#" target="_blank">Manifold Key</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Spending only one mana to get Kilo ready to tap all over again is a great rate. Plus, that ability to make a creature unblockable shouldn’t be overlooked, since you could use that in a pinch to push damage through.</p>
<h3>Belisarius Cawl</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Belisarius Cawl"></div></div>
<p>Coming to us from the <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/40k" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warhammer</a></em> universe, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Belisarius Cawl" href="#" target="_blank">Belisarius Cawl</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds some great additional effects when it taps your commander. First, you can make a creature token by tapping two artifacts, but it can also help draw you one of the best artifacts off the top of your library with its second ability.</p>
<h3>Weatherlight</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Weatherlight"></div></div>
<p>A similar effect as our last entry is the iconic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Weatherlight" href="#" target="_blank">Weatherlight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Crew 3 means that Kilo is perfect for jumping behind this flying ship’s wheel. Then, when it hits one of your opponents, you can get a historic permanent into your hand.</p>
<p>This deck might have the possibility of spinning its wheels, so having a big flyer to punch through damage while fueling your engine is incredibly valuable.</p>
<h3>Unctus, Grand Metatect</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unctus, Grand Metatect"></div></div>
<p>Now, we’ve talked about a lot of ways to tap creatures in this deck, which means that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unctus, Grand Metatect" href="#" target="_blank">Unctus, Grand Metatect</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will end up accruing you a whole lot of value as the game goes on. Drawing and then discarding whenever you tap your commander helps you sculpt your hand into exactly what you need, while also giving your artifact creatures a little buff in the process.</p>
<h2>Cards That Didn't Make the Cut</h2>
<p>Now, with any precon upgrade, some cuts have to be made. As you look over these cards, feel free to agree or disagree with some of my choices, because at the end of the day, this is your deck, and you get to make the call.</p>
<p>If some of these cards still speak to you, then feel free to keep them in the deck. After all, Commander is about self-expression.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Cuts for Kilo, Apogee Mind Precon Upgrade" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Creatures]
*1 Angel of the Ruins
*1 Coretapper
*1 Depthshaker Titan
*1 Emry, Lurker of the Loch
*1 Thought Monitor
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Fumigate
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Darksteel Reactor
*1 Empowered Autogenerator
*1 Golem Foundry
*1 Soul-Guide Lantern
*1 Titan Forge
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Experimental Augury
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Lonely Sandbar
*1 Secluded Steppe
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>So, there you have it, 14 cards for under $14 that you can pick up for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kilo, Apogee Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Kilo, Apogee Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in this precon's command zone. Let me know your thoughts of my additions or cuts in the comments below!</p>
<p>Also, if you already have too much <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/eoe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Edge of Eternities</em></a> bulk on your hands, check out the recent editions of my series <em>Bulk Up</em>, where I cover the best commons &amp; uncommons from the set (click here for <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/great-cards-hidden-in-edge-of-eternities-bulk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1</a>, and here for <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/steller-commons-uncommons-from-edge-of-eternities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 2</a>).</p>


Budget Precon Upgrade Cards for Counter Intelligence

Breaking Down the Counter Intelligence Precon Battle Fleet

<p><em>Counter Intelligence</em> is a new Commander preconstructed deck releasing with the set <em>Edge of Eternities</em>. What's in the deck, who are the commanders, and how can we upgrade it? Let's find out.</p>


<p>The <em>Counter Intelligence</em> <em>Edge of Eternities</em> <em>Commander</em> deck contains the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>1 Ready-to-play 100-card Commander deck</li>
<li>1 Traditional foil face commander with borderless art</li>
<li>1 Traditional foil featured commander with borderless art</li>
<li>98 Non-foil cards, including 10 new-to-Magic cards</li>
<li>6 Double-sided tokens and 4 punch-out counters</li>
<li>1 Deck box</li>
</ul>


<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kilo, Apogee Mind" href="#" target="_blank">Kilo, Apogee Mind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kilo, Apogee Mind"></div></div>


<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inspirit, Flagship Vessel" href="#" target="_blank">Inspirit, Flagship Vessel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inspirit, Flagship Vessel"></div></div>


<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depthshaker Titan" href="#" target="_blank">Depthshaker Titan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Depthshaker Titan"></div></div>
<p>Starting off our look at the deck's new cards with a bang is Depthshaper Titan, a seven-mana 5/5 red Robot. Clearly a win condition for <em>Counter Intelligence, </em>the Titan animates any or all (your choice) noncreature artifacts you've got for one glorious attack step - the downside of which is that they'll not be sticking around once they've been mobilized.</p>
<p>However, with all the keywords the Titan also bestows on the newly-awakened army, it's likely the game won't last beyond the attack step anyway.</p>
<p>Depthshaker Titan will immediately find a home in decks that like to amass Treasures, Clues, or any other type of artifact tokens.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glittering Massif" href="#" target="_blank">Glittering Massif</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glittering Massif"></div></div>
<p>As seen with the <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/world-shaper-edge-of-eternities-precon-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>World Shaper </em>precon</a>, <em>Edge of Eternities Commander </em>brings to the table new color pairs of both the cycling lands and the "tango" lands, with Glittering Massif representing the former. They're definitely great to have as budget options for two-color lands.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Insight Engine" href="#" target="_blank">Insight Engine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insight Engine"></div></div>
<p>A more proactive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Unbound" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Unbound</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, Insight Engine doesn't take very long to surpass many card drawing alternatives.</p>
<p>It'll cost five mana to draw the first card, but with proliferate and other ways to increase the frequency of charge counters being placed on it, Insight Engine swiftly becomes a preeminent option for card advantage. Even without ways to add extra charge counters, Insight Engine will be looked at very favorably by any deck playing blue.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Long-Range Sensor" href="#" target="_blank">Long-Range Sensor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Long-Range Sensor"></div></div>
<p>It's another charge counter-accruing artifact that provides card advantage, but Long-Range Sensor does so in a much more red way.</p>
<p>Ideally, Long-Range Sensor gets three charge counters per each of your turns, so you'll be able to activate its ability three times every two attack steps. That's three (mostly) free spells, which is a pretty sweet deal, especially if the deck Long-Range Scanner is in can take advantage of discover, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald" href="#" target="_blank">Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moxite Refinery" href="#" target="_blank">Moxite Refinery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moxite Refinery"></div></div>
<p>It's a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Power Conduit" href="#" target="_blank">Power Conduit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> cranked up beyond maximum capacity. Moxite Refinery will enable all sorts of counter shenanigans; in <em>Counter Intelligence, </em>we're likely moving charge counters from one thing to another, but in decks built around Moxite Refinery's effect, we can go much further.</p>
<p>Convert cumulative upkeep counters to keep your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Soulgorger" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Soulgorger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> around. Keep triggering the best chapters of the Saga creatures from <em>Final Fantasy, </em>like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Summon: Bahamut" href="#" target="_blank">Summon: Bahamut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Upset the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mathas, Fiend Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Mathas, Fiend Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> player by constantly removing bounty counters from your creatures. The options are endless.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Patrolling Peacemaker" href="#" target="_blank">Patrolling Peacemaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Patrolling Peacemaker"></div></div>
<p>Proliferate is a very powerful ability in the right deck, and <em>Counter Intelligence </em>is absolutely the right deck to take advantage of a card like Patrolling Peacemaker.</p>
<p>Even if there's nothing else to proliferate, Patrolling Peacemaker itself can get bigger and bigger for every crime committed by an opponent. And remember - you don't even need to be the victim of the crime for Patrolling Peacemaker to trigger.</p>
<p>Arguably, a card like Patrolling Peacemaker gets better as the power level and skill of the opponents increases, as they're more likely to be playing targeted removal and disruption.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Radiant Summit" href="#" target="_blank">Radiant Summit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Radiant Summit"></div></div>
<p>The second of our two new two-color lands, those with red/white decks needing cheaper options for their landbase need look no further than Radiant Summit.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Solar Array" href="#" target="_blank">Solar Array</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Solar Array"></div></div>
<p>Solar Array is a three-mana artifact that encourages as many different colors as possible in order to jump-start charge counter production.</p>
<p>Sunburst has been around since <em>Fifth Dawn, </em>but outside of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pentad Prism" href="#" target="_blank">Pentad Prism</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Engineered Explosives" href="#" target="_blank">Engineered Explosives</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> hasn't really been seen much at Commander tables. That'll change with Solar Array, as providing sunburst to any artifact will create plenty of interesting scenarios.</p>
<p>Just ask <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lux Artillery" href="#" target="_blank">Lux Artillery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (also in the deck), which did so specifically to artifact creatures. Solar Array is much, much better than that.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surge Conductor" href="#" target="_blank">Surge Conductor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Surge Conductor"></div></div>
<p>Another new proliferator, Surge Conductor is going to be the bane of many Commander games moving forward. Decks that can utilize Surge Conductor won't be able to help but abuse it, and it's likely we'll see it alongside oppressive planeswalkers before long.</p>
<p>Plus, it didn't take long for players to figure out that if you pair it with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magistrate&#039;s Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Magistrate&#039;s Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancestral Statue" href="#" target="_blank">Ancestral Statue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you've cooked up infinite turns.</p>
<div id="2-3609-6769" style="width: 100%; position: relative; overflow: visible; display: flex; justify-content: center;"><img decoding="async" id="csbLoad" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/images/gear.svg" alt="csb logo" width="300" /><br />
<script id="2-3609-6769" src="https://commanderspellbook.com/embed.js?v=1&uses=%5B%22Surge%20Conductor%22%2C%22Magistrate's%20Scepter%22%2C%22Ancestral%20Statue%22%5D&requires=%5B%5D&produces=%5B%22Infinite%20turns%22%5D&id=2-3609-6769&color=C&extraRequirementCount=0"></script></div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="." width="0" height="0"></iframe><br />
Surge Conductor is immediately a kill-on-sight card, as no good will come from one sticking around on the opposite side of the table.</p>
<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Uthros Research Craft" href="#" target="_blank">Uthros Research Craft</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Uthros Research Craft"></div></div>
<p>Lastly, we've got a new Spacecraft; a three-mana artifact that starts impacting the board at station 3+. Once it hits three or more charge counters on it, you're already in business as it provides significant card advantage. The 12+ tier is just gravy, allowing the thing to take off and hit hard, assuming all those artifacts you've cast are still around.</p>
<p>Likely, Uthros Research Craft is <em>Counter Intelligence's </em>best target for <em>removing </em>counters via Moxite Refinery, as getting it to 12+ turns it into a creature, which might be more vulnerable to removal.</p>


<p>With <em>Counter Intelligence, </em>we're charging up.</p>
<p>Nearly every card in the deck is a cog comprising the well-oiled machine we're looking to construct on the battlefield, focused on artifacts in general, and counters specifically, whether they're of the +1/+1 or charge variety.</p>
<p>Of charge counters, various cards make use of the feature for various ends. Some create mana, make tokens, or draw cards, some bombard opposing permanents, and one, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Reactor" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Reactor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, straight up wins the game if left unchecked.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Golem Foundry"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lux Cannon"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Titan Forge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Insight Engine"></div></div>
<p>Many of these artifacts either charge up slowly or don't have a built-in way to add more charge counters once they're in play. That's where our deep bench of support cards come into play. Including our commander, nine cards feature the keyword proliferate, so as long as we're able to get a singular counter on one of our permanents, we can build momentum.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Experimental Augury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ripples of Potential"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrummingbird"></div></div>
<p>We've also got other ways to boost the number of counters on things, further fueling the engine that is <em>Counter Intelligence</em>:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Resourceful Defense"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Deepglow Skate"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moxite Refinery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coretapper"></div></div>
<p>It's not going to happen instantly, however, so players piloting <em>Counter Intelligence </em>need to be prepared to protect their investment. Luckily, the deck also features a bit of removal, though the absence of any countermagic outside of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swan Song" href="#" target="_blank">Swan Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is interesting.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dispatch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chain Reaction"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fumigate"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Organic Extinction"></div></div>


<p>Unlike with <em>World Shaper, </em><em>Counter Intelligence </em>doesn't come built-in with any combos in the 99. That's not to say it wouldn't be extremely easy to add a few with a card swap here or there.</p>
<p>Artifact-based decks are known for their easier-to-achieve-than-usual synergy, and <em>Counter Intelligence </em>makes full use of the theme by including plenty of synergistic options like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emry, Lurker of the Loch" href="#" target="_blank">Emry, Lurker of the Loch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chrome Host Seedshark" href="#" target="_blank">Chrome Host Seedshark</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> - those three creatures, along with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus" href="#" target="_blank">Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrummingbird" href="#" target="_blank">Thrummingbird</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are the only non-artifact creatures in the deck out of 25 total.</p>
<p>In fact, of the 100 total cards of <em>Counter Intelligence, </em>45 are artifacts, nearly half the entire deck.</p>
<p>If we <em>wanted </em>to increase our combo number, we could add cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aura of Dominion" href="#" target="_blank">Aura of Dominion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Magistrate&#039;s Scepter" href="#" target="_blank">Magistrate&#039;s Scepter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Filigree Sages" href="#" target="_blank">Filigree Sages</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. And that's just to start.</p>
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<p><em>Counter Intelligence </em>features a total of 40 lands, most of which are present for their color-providing abilities. However, there are a pair of notable exceptions:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Karn&#039;s Bastion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Mycosynth Gardens"></div></div>
<p>Preconstructed decks tend not to have many utility lands, so it's nice that <em>Counter Intelligence </em>provides both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Karn&#039;s Bastion" href="#" target="_blank">Karn&#039;s Bastion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Mycosynth Gardens" href="#" target="_blank">The Mycosynth Gardens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, two lands that fit perfectly into the deck's game plan.</p>
<p>Other notable lands include the various artifact lands in the deck's colors, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seat of the Synod" href="#" target="_blank">Seat of the Synod</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rustvale Bridge" href="#" target="_blank">Rustvale Bridge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, further upping the count of artifact permanents for cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thought Monitor" href="#" target="_blank">Thought Monitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wake the Past" href="#" target="_blank">Wake the Past</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>As for mana rocks, there are plenty of options. Outside of the usual <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there are several additional ways to make mana that fit the theme of the deck:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Astral Cornucopia"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Empowered Autogenerator"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Everflowing Chalice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pentad Prism"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Solar Array"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crystalline Crawler"></div></div>
<p>And that's not even mentioning the multiple cards in the 99 of <em>Counter Intelligence </em>that don't <em>add </em>mana, technically, but instead reduce the cost of our artifacts - which, again, is 39 of the deck's 60 nonland cards:</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cloud Key"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enthusiastic Mechanaut"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>You're ready to charge up <em>Counter Intelligence </em>with a few card swaps, but don't know where to begin? Starting with five cards, what can we add to further the deck's synergy? And how far can the power level be pushed?</p>
<p>First of all, cards can't be added before others are removed, so which five cards are on the chopping block?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mindless Automaton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enthusiastic Mechanaut"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mountain"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chrome Host Seedshark"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wake the Past"></div></div>
<p>Yes, we're cutting a Mountain; the deck runs 40 lands, multiple mana rocks, and other cost reducers. As constructed, <em>Counter Intelligence </em>has 31 cards that can create red mana, but only 12 pips of red across all casting costs. We can afford to shed a Mountain.</p>
<p>As for the other cards, they're not <em>bad, </em>per se, but we're trying to increase efficiency here, and there are better options.</p>
<p><strong>Five Additions on a Budget</strong></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flux Channeler"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cayth, Famed Mechanist"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clock of Omens"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mystic Forge"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Unctus, Grand Metatect"></div></div>
<p><strong>Five Additions with No Budget</strong></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Filigree Vector"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Esper Sentinel"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Magistrate&#039;s Scepter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Power Conduit"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Simulacrum Synthesizer"></div></div>
<p>There are many, many options we can consider adding, as the generically powerful "artifacts" theme is one of the best-supported strategies in the format.</p>
<p>Whether they're budget-concious additions or they're cards that come with a heftier pricetag, we could swap things in and out all day. However, we just want to do what <em>Core Intelligence </em>is already doing, but even more efficiently.</p>
<p><strong>Game Changers</strong></p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Tomb"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mana Vault"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enlightened Tutor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The One Ring"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhystic Study"></div></div>
<p>We've got options when it comes to generically powerful <a href="https://edhrec.com/top/game-changers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game Changers</a>.</p>
<p>Also, we <em>could </em>put <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Lord High Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Lord High Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into the list, but any deck with an Urza becomes an Urza deck, and <em>Counter Intelligence </em>is more interesting than that.</p>


<p>When it comes to changing the archetype of <em>Counter Intelligence, </em>there are multiple routes we can go. We can lean more into +1/+1 counters, focusing on modular creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcbound Ravager" href="#" target="_blank">Arcbound Ravager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or we can double down on charge counters by adding cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Adaptive Training Post" href="#" target="_blank">Adaptive Training Post</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vexing Puzzlebox" href="#" target="_blank">Vexing Puzzlebox</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umezawa&#039;s Jitte" href="#" target="_blank">Umezawa&#039;s Jitte</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both those cards would point us in diverging directions.</p>
<p>We could also go into infect<em>. </em></p>
<p>But there's one path we could take once we remember that yes, we <em>can </em>proliferate energy counters.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Counter" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Inspirit, Flagship Vessel
[/Commander]
[Creature]
*1 Alibou, Ancient Witness
*1 Assaultron Dominator
*1 Blaster Hulk
*1 Crystalline Crawler
*1 Cyberdrive Awakener
*1 Deepglow Skate
*1 Dr. Madison Li
*1 Enthusiastic Mechanaut
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Filigree Vector
*1 Hangarback Walker
*1 Kappa Cannoneer
*1 Kilo, Apogee Mind
*1 Patrolling Peacemaker
*1 Phyrexian Metamorph
*1 Razorfield Rhino
*1 Roil Cartographer
*1 Satya, Aetherflux Genius
*1 Sentry Bot
*1 Sphinx of the Revelation
*1 Steel Overseer
*1 Surge Conductor
*1 Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus
*1 Thrummingbird
[/Creature]
[Sorcery]
*1 Organic Extinction
*1 Suppression Ray // Orderly Plaza
*1 Tezzeret&#039;s Gambit
*1 Wheel of Potential
[/Sorcery]
[Artifact]
*1 Aether Refinery
*1 Aetherflux Conduit
*1 Aetherworks Marvel
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Automated Assembly Line
*1 Cloud Key
*1 Conversion Apparatus
*1 Darksteel Reactor
*1 Everflowing Chalice
*1 Gavel of the Righteous
*1 Golem Foundry
*1 Gonti&#039;s Aether Heart
*1 Insight Engine
*1 Izzet Generatorium
*1 Long-Range Sensor
*1 Lux Artillery
*1 Moxite Refinery
*1 Pentad Prism
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Stone Idol Generator
*1 Titan Forge
[/Artifact]
[Land]
*1 Academy Ruins
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Aether Hub
*1 Ancient Den
*1 Archway of Innovation
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Great Furnace
*1 HELIOS One
*1 Hallowed Fountain
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*3 Island
*1 Karn&#039;s Bastion
*2 Mountain
*1 Mystic Monastery
*2 Plains
*1 Radiant Summit
*1 Razortide Bridge
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Rustvale Bridge
*1 Scalding Tarn
*1 Seat of the Synod
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Silverbluff Bridge
*1 Skycloud Expanse
*1 Spire of Industry
*1 Steam Vents
*1 Sulfur Falls
[/Land]
[Instant]
*1 Dispatch
*1 Electrosiphon
*1 Glimmer of Genius
*1 Ripples of Potential
*1 Rush of Inspiration // Crackling Falls
*1 Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs
*1 Swan Song
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Thirst for Knowledge
*1 Tune the Narrative
[/Instant]
[Enchantment]
*1 Aether Revolt
*1 All Will Be One
*1 Resourceful Defense
*1 Vault 112: Sadistic Simulation
[/Enchantment]"></span></div>
<p>This deck is less a complete rebuild and more of a retooling, adding the energy counter cards that would be interesting and work well with the bulk of <em>Counter Intelligence. </em>As a result, we're still in Bracket 2 territory.</p>


<p>For both <em>Edge of Eternities Commander </em>decks, the MSRP is listed at $44.99.</p>
<p><em>Counter Intelligence</em> comes in at an estimated contained value of around $290. If we remove the 12 new cards, which are currently in prerelease pricing and are subject to fall, the value of the reprints alone becomes around $129.</p>
<p>The most expensive reprints in <em>Counter Intelligence</em> are:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus" href="#" target="_blank">Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyberdrive Awakener" href="#" target="_blank">Cyberdrive Awakener</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Swan Song" href="#" target="_blank">Swan Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ripples of Potential" href="#" target="_blank">Ripples of Potential</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></li>
<li>and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Darksteel Reactor" href="#" target="_blank">Darksteel Reactor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cyberdrive Awakener"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Swan Song"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ripples of Potential"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Darksteel Reactor"></div></div>


<p>There's not much to criticize when it comes to <em>Counter Intelligence. </em>The new cards are fantastic, the reprints are solid, and the deck is constructed in a way where none of the cards seem like filler. And one of the best parts is that both commander options don't feel necessary for the deck to function, but rather synergize with the strategy as a whole.</p>
<p><em>Counter Intelligence</em> gets an A.</p>


counter intelligence

Budget Precon Upgrade Cards for Counter Intelligence

Breaking Down the Counter Intelligence Precon Battle Fleet

Counter Intelligence - Edge of Eternities Precon Guide