<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>


untapping

Budget Precon Upgrade Cards for Counter Intelligence