Overview:

This UW artifact deck helmed by Mendicant Core, Guidelight focuses on artifact synergy and token generation, leveraging the commander's scaling power and copy ability. The strategy revolves around deploying artifact creatures and utility artifacts to build board presence, generate value through token armies (Myr/Thopters), and win through combat with pumped creatures like Filigree Attendant or Cephalopod Sentry. Secondary value comes from artifact recursion (Academy Ruins) and copy effects (Mirrorworks, Phyrexian Metamorph).

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Mind Stone), artifact token generators (Myrsmith, Retrofitter Foundry), and protection (Swiftfoot Boots). Use tutors like Trophy Mage to find key pieces.
2. Engine Activation (T4-6): Cast commander when speed counters allow copy triggers. Use Unwinding Clock/Voltaic Key to untap value engines. Generate tokens with Sai, Master Thopterist and Thopter Spy Network.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Combat Overload: Pump wide boards with Chief of the Foundry, Illustrious Wanderglyph, or All That Glitters. Use Crashing Drawbridge for haste.
   • Commander Damage: Scale Mendicant Core's power via artifact count (potentially 10+ power).
   • Value Combos: Basalt Monolith + Voltaic Key for infinite untaps to fuel Retrofitter Foundry's token upgrades.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including artifact mana sources
• Prioritize early artifact generators (Myrsmith, Retrofitter Foundry) or tutors
• Ensure at least one protective piece (Ghostly Prison, Authority of the Consuls) against aggro

Key Tips:

• Use Mirrorworks to duplicate key artifacts like The Aetherspark or Unwinding Clock
• Inventive Iteration provides recursion and late-game stax protection
• Shimmer Myr enables surprise artifact deployments during opponents' turns

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Devastating vulnerability to artifact wipes (Vandalblast, Austere Command) with limited recovery outside Redress Fate
• Heavy reliance on commander for copy value - repeated removal cripples engine

Moderate

• Struggles against flying-heavy boards without consistent reach
• Limited instant-speed interaction for resolved threats

Minor

• Some clunky high-CMC cards (Threefold Thunderhulk, Soul of New Phyrexia) slow early momentum
• Mana base includes multiple tapped lands (Razortide Bridge, Myriad Landscape)

Most Important Cards:

• Mirrorworks (Double artifact ETBs)
• Unwinding Clock (Untap synergy)
• Sai, Master Thopterist (Token generation + draw)
• Retrofitter Foundry (Scalable token engine)
• Academy Ruins (Artifact recursion)
• Voltaic Key (Untap combos)
• Thopter Spy Network (Card advantage engine)
• Basalt Monolith (Mana combo piece)
• Inventors' Fair (Tutoring)
• Michiko's Reign of Truth (Scaling anthem effect)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Can establish threatening boards by T6-8 but lacks fast combo kills. Relies on incremental value from copied artifacts.

Resilience: 4/10
Limited protection outside equipment and some counterspells. Recovery from wipes depends on drawing Redress Fate/Academy Ruins.

Consistency: 6/10
Moderate tutoring (7 artifact tutors) and card draw from thopter synergies, but key pieces lack redundancy.

Interaction: 5/10
10 targeted removal/counters including Swords to Plowshares and Counterspell, but minimal stack control for late-game threats.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused casual build with clear artifact synergies and multiple paths to victory, but its reliance on vulnerable permanents and moderate speed place it below optimized tiers. The combination of T6-8 win potential and susceptibility to common disruption aligns with upgraded precon levels.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0