Overview:

This Urza, Prince of Kroog deck is a synergistic artifact build focused on generating massive value through token copies, untap synergies, and artifact recursion. The commander amplifies artifact creatures with +2/+2 and enables token generation, but the deck's true power lies in its ability to assemble infinite mana combos and convert them into overwhelming board states. Key themes include artifact recursion (Emry, Tameshi), untap engines (Unwinding Clock, Voltaic Key), and modular combo lines using Basalt Monolith and Training Grounds. Urza acts as a value engine and finisher, but hidden commanders like Oswald Fiddlebender and Tezzeret the Seeker drive critical tutor chains.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Mana Vault, Azorius Signet) and value artifacts (The One Ring, Forensic Gadgeteer). Use Oswald Fiddlebender or Enlightened Tutor to find key pieces like Training Grounds or Basalt Monolith.
2. Combo Assembly (Turns 4-6):
   • Infinite Mana: Pair Basalt Monolith with Voltaic Key/Manifold Key or use Training Grounds to reduce Urza's activation cost.
   • Token Storm: With infinite mana, use Urza to create infinite 1/1 copies of empowered artifacts like Bronze Guardian (scales with artifact count) or Wurmcoil Engine (creates 6/6 lifelink/deathtouch tokens).
   • Alternate Win: Resolve Thousand Moons Smithy transformed into Barracks of the Thousand for exponential token growth.
3. Protection/Recovery: Use counterspells (Disallow, No More Lies) and indestructible grants (Soul of New Phyrexia) to protect key turns. Recur artifacts with Emry, Tameshi, or Buried Ruin.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands and at least one mana rock.
• Prioritize combo starters (Basalt Monolith, Training Grounds) or tutors (Enlightened Tutor, Fabricate).
• Avoid hands lacking artifact synergy or ramp.

Key Tips:

• Use Oswald Fiddlebender to chain artifacts: Sacrifice a Sol Ring (MV 1) to fetch Training Grounds (MV 2), then sacrifice Training Grounds to fetch Basalt Monolith (MV 3).
• With Unwinding Clock, activate Urza's ability during every opponent's turn.
• Copy empowered artifacts like Bronze Guardian (which gains Ward 2 and scales with artifact count) for resilient threats.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Artifact Wipes: Crippled by mass artifact removal (Farewell, Vandalblast) with limited recovery outside Buried Ruin.
• Anti-Activation Stax: Cursed Totem or Collector Ouphe shuts down Urza, Oswald, and key mana engines.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void disrupts Emry, Tameshi, and Scrap Trawler recursion.
• Stack Interaction: Limited counterspell density (only 4) leaves combos vulnerable to disruption.

Minor

• Flyer Defense: Relies on Thopter tokens from Sai/Thopter Shop for chump blocking.
• Life Total Pressure: The One Ring and Mana Vault self-damage can accumulate quickly.

Most Important Cards:

• Basalt Monolith (Infinite mana enabler)
• Training Grounds (Reduces Urza/Oswald activation costs)
• Oswald Fiddlebender (Tutor chain engine)
• Unwinding Clock (Untap synergy multiplier)
• Emry, Lurker of the Loch (Recursion and combo piece)
• Tezzeret the Seeker (Tutor and board-wide threat)
• Bronze Guardian (Scaling win condition)
• The One Ring (Card advantage and protection)
• Thousand Moons Smithy (Alternate token wincon)
• Voltaic Key (Combo piece with Basalt Monolith)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can assemble infinite mana as early as Turn 4 with perfect draws (Basalt Monolith + Voltaic Key + Training Grounds), but typically threatens wins Turns 6-7.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursion engines and protection spells provide recovery options, but over-reliance on artifact permanents makes it fragile to widespread hate.

Consistency: 7/10

• 8 tutors and strong card draw (Shorikai, The One Ring) ensure frequent access to combo pieces, though some key cards lack redundancy.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Swords, Disenchant) and 4 counterspells offer moderate disruption but lack breadth against noncreature strategies.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at the border of Focused and Optimized tiers, leveraging efficient tutors and explosive artifact synergies to threaten T6-7 wins via combat or infinite mana combos. While its speed aligns with 6.5-tier decks, vulnerability to common artifact hate and limited interaction hold it back from higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5