Guidelight Protocol [Mandicant Core]
Deck Size: 100
Commander
Legal
Est deck cost: $113.51
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Commander
Mendicant Core, Guidelight
Mendicant Core's power is equal to the number of artifacts you control. Start your engines! (If you have no speed, it starts at 1. It increases once on each of your turns when an opponent loses life. Max speed is 4.) Max speed — Whenever you cast an artifact spell, you may pay {1}. If you do, copy it. (The copy becomes a token.)
Creature Artifact
Commander
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Copy
Copy
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Draw
Aether Syphon
Start your engines! (If you have no speed, it starts at 1. It increases once on each of your turns when an opponent loses life. Max speed is 4.) {2}, {T}: Draw a card. Max speed — Whenever you draw a card, each opponent mills two cards. (Each opponent puts the top two cards of their library into their graveyard.)
Artifact
Draw
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Land
Path of Ancestry
This land enters tapped. {T}: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity. When that mana is spent to cast a creature spell that shares a creature type with your commander, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
Land
Land
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Lifegain
Lifegain
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Protection
Protection
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Ramp
Midnight Clock
{T}: Add {U}. {2}{U}: Put an hour counter on this artifact. At the beginning of each upkeep, put an hour counter on this artifact. When the twelfth hour counter is put on this artifact, shuffle your hand and graveyard into your library, then draw seven cards. Exile this artifact.
Artifact
Ramp
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Removal
Duplicant
Imprint — When this creature enters, you may exile target nontoken creature. As long as a card exiled with this creature is a creature card, this creature has the power, toughness, and creature types of the last creature card exiled with it. It's still a Shapeshifter.
Creature Artifact
Riptide Gearhulk
Double strike Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) When this creature enters, for each opponent, put up to one target nonland permanent that player controls into its owner's library third from the top.
Creature Artifact
Removal
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Tokens
Nesting Bot
Start your engines! (If you have no speed, it starts at 1. It increases once on each of your turns when an opponent loses life. Max speed is 4.) When this creature dies, create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token. Max speed — This creature gets +1/+0.
Creature Artifact
Retrofitter Foundry
{3}: Untap this artifact. {2}, {T}: Create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token. {1}, {T}, Sacrifice a Servo: Create a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying. {T}, Sacrifice a Thopter: Create a 4/4 colorless Construct artifact creature token.
Artifact
Tokens
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Tutor
Tutor
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Voltron
Adaptive Omnitool
Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control. Whenever equipped creature attacks, look at the top six cards of your library. You may reveal an artifact card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. Equip {3}
Artifact
Voltron
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Suggestions (not owned yet)
Court of Vantress
When this enchantment enters, you become the monarch. At the beginning of your upkeep, choose up to one other target enchantment or artifact. If you're the monarch, you may create a token that's a copy of it. If you're not the monarch, you may have this enchantment become a copy of it, except it has this ability.
Enchantment
Cybermen Squadron
Nonlegendary artifact creatures you control have myriad. (Whenever a creature with myriad attacks, for each opponent other than defending player, you may create a token copy that's tapped and attacking that player or a planeswalker they control. Exile the tokens at end of combat.)
Creature Artifact
Suggestions (not owned yet)
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Tokens & Extras
Tokens & Extras
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Deck Info
Deck stats
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Description
{"ops":[{"insert":"Guidelight Protocol"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThrow Robots at Opponents until they surrender. \nUpgrade "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" with Auras and Equipment. \n\nThis Deck has both a Token Go-Wide and a Voltron aspect, where you focus on upgrading the Commander,\nhis own ability of getting power through Artifacts supports that two-pronged approach. \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" is most likely getting sniped a lot of time, even with counterspells and the high amount of\nprotection he will land back in your Hand ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Essence Reliquary"}},{"insert":" ) during your Attacks or in your Command Zone\nafter relentless Focus, that's why his Copy ability is also supported by some other Cards in the Deck, \nto keep the pressure going even in turns where he is missing.\n\nUpgrade Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHere are the Upgrades meant for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" while you simultaneously generate Artifact Creatures and Tokens.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defensive Stance"}},{"insert":" - an Aura to make the Commander more resiliant during Attacks against other big Creatures.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curiosity"}},{"insert":" - an Aura to make the Commander a Draw Engine.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Adaptive Omnitool"}},{"insert":" - Equipment to double the growth speed of the Commander, since this Equipment generates the exact same Power the Commander himself generates, just additionally also with Toughness. It also lets you sift through your top deck for vital game pieces so you can easier setup your endgame plan.\n\nDefense Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHere are Spells that will help you defend "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" or any piece you deem worthy of defense.\nThe Commander Cost is pretty low, so you can have situations where you rather let the Commander get destroyed than loose one of your other vital game pieces.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherize"}},{"insert":" - without a doubt the best defense card, instead of sacrificing a ton of Robots to defend yourself you can just bounce back an entire attacking army to the opponent's hand. Try not to use it too early with too few game pieces on your board, but also don't miss a chance.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Riot Control"}},{"insert":" - same idea as "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherize"}},{"insert":", just with the difference that no enemy creature gets bounced back, but your life total gets boosted. You don't wanna sacrifice Robots for your defense, so you just turn the incoming damage into life instead. And the enemy creatures will still be tapped out on your next turn.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"War Report"}},{"insert":" - if towards Endgame you run out of life, this is a big boost. First it counts all Creatures on the Board, and then, additionally, to the benefit of your Deck, counts all Artifacts. This accumulates a ton of life points, at turn 8 easily over 20 life points with this deck!\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs"}},{"insert":" - a remnant of the deck's initial idea, i originally wanted to make the entire deck a Bounce Back Deck, where you constantly throw enemy Cards back into their hands or library, but that turned out to take way too many card slots away from what the Commander's plan was, so this is one of the few cards that still enables you to bounce a card back to the opponent's hand, or just play it flipped as an extra land with the cost of a few lifepoints.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spikeshell Harrier"}},{"insert":" - the original Spark for the Bounce Back idea, and one of the few bounce cards left in the deck.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Riptide Gearhulk"}},{"insert":" - the strongest Bounce Card for endgame, use him as an introduction to your big endgame attack against the strongest opponent, during the turn you plan to attack in.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Diversion Unit"}},{"insert":" - a Counter Spell in the form of a Robot.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cancel"}},{"insert":" - a classic Counter Spell.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Outwit"}},{"insert":" - a self defense Counter Spell, can also be used for Politics when you come to the rescue of someone else.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ghostly Prison"}},{"insert":" - get this out as early as possible, and when you do you are probably good until late midgame and can just face tank opponent's attacks, because they won't send their entire army until endgame or when they remove the card - it would just be too costly for them.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Norn's Annex"}},{"insert":" - same idea as Ghostly Prison, with it additionally being an Artifact, and opponents can pay Life now, instead of just mana.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Swords to Plowshares"}},{"insert":" - needs no introduction, a classic removal spell, that in my opinion at this point in time is just as much of as staple in Commander as Sol Ring is. With it's only limitation to becomming a true staple being it's White Mana.\n\nRobo Army"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nCopies"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" himself copies one of your artifacts entering the board each time he is out and you pay 1 colorless mana extra. He is your main (Copy) Token Generator. Here the lack of any other legendaries beside the Commander is an advantage, so now you are free to literally copy any permanent you want (unless its a non-artifact token like pilots from the pilot lands for example).\nBut, because the Commander will get sniped, and even with his low mana cost, you won't always have him out, there are a few extra cards that do what he does. Some even in earlygame.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Wake the Reflections"}},{"insert":" - this card allows you to copy one of your artifact creatures so early that your commander might not even be on the board yet. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nesting Bot"}},{"insert":" would be a great pick in my opinion.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Echo Storm"}},{"insert":" - perfect for this Deck during endgame, a spell that copies artifacts as often as your commander left the Command Zone. Your Commander will most likely get focused, so this spell is a great way to take revenge by multiplying the finisher for example: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guidelight Synergist"}},{"insert":" \n\nTokens"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thopter Fabricator"}},{"insert":" - as a Robo Deck your only way to cover the sky is with Thopters, so this Vehicle will be generating a ton of Thopters, taking advantage of the many Draw cards in this Deck, even when it's not crewed and just standing on the sideline.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retrofitter Foundry"}},{"insert":" - probably your most dangerous token generator, since it's able to produce servos, turn them into Thopters and then additionally bring some Thopters down to earth by turning them into hulking mechas. Unexperienced players will most likely just let this card live and let you generate a ton of powerful creatures.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Clay-Fired Bricks // Cosmium Kiln"}},{"insert":" - more of a style token card itself, providing some creature variety, this card will give you an extra plains card and later on generate 2 Gnomes, ideally you will have "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stridehangar Automaton"}},{"insert":" out at that point, so it generates 2 Gnomes + 1 Thopter.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Nesting Bot"}},{"insert":" - comes back as a Servo Token, he's a cute and brave little early game attack Robot. If he survives till midgame (at max speed) he gets a little stronger even.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stridehangar Automaton"}},{"insert":" - a Token generator supporter, pretty strong during endgame, when other generators go on full drive - especially together with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retrofitter Foundry"}},{"insert":" you'll go wide in no time.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thopter Spy Network"}},{"insert":" - just a very reliable Thopter generator that also draws cards.\n\nMechas"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duplicant"}},{"insert":" - your \"special agent\" - if a (most likely green mana) player brings out a giant creature, you can just steal it through Imprint. It gets exiled and the "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Duplicant"}},{"insert":" takes on it's power, toughness and creature types. Potentially even making you benefit from an anthem card of the opponent, if it doesn't reduce the anthem to their own creatures only.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guidelight Synergist"}},{"insert":" - this is your main finisher, he has one more Toughness than the commander but has the exact same power boost. If your commander isn't out and his commander tax got so high that you can't justify bringing him out again, use your upgrades on "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guidelight Synergist"}},{"insert":" instead, so he can finish the game for you.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Riptide Gearhulk"}},{"insert":" - while not really a Finisher and more of a defensive Robo himself, he's a bruting mecha who will clear the way for your big attack by removing the greatest threat each opponent has on the board.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triplicate Titan"}},{"insert":" - technically a Finisher, technically a Token Generator, factually an insanely strong and kinda classic Artifact Creature. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Repurposing Bay"}},{"insert":" could technically be a Sac Outlet for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Triplicate Titan"}},{"insert":", but even with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Stridehangar Automaton"}},{"insert":" out this doesn't seem to be the smartest idea, especially when other players have big creatures out and with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Retrofitter Foundry"}},{"insert":" eventually producing 4/4s and tons of flyers, too.\n\nTutors"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nBecause if you pull the wrong cards this Deck can be a bit daunting, there are three Tutors in this Deck.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Whir of Invention"}},{"insert":" - the strongest and the only Tutor in a classic sense of the Tutor card type, this card will allow you to get any missing Artifact piece to give "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" all he needs for his attacks.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guidelight Pathmaker"}},{"insert":" - a more modern Tutor, still allowing you to search for any Artifact but decides based on mana value if the card goes into your hand or on the battlefield.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Repurposing Bay"}},{"insert":" - an aristocrat style modern Tutor, allowing you to basically swap out one Artifact for a slightly stronger one.\n\nCuriosities"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThere are a few cards that are put into this deck more for style than function. They still help the Deck, but often in weaker ways considering the Deck's goals.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aether Syphon"}},{"insert":" - weak draw engine, especially when "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" is enchanted with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curiosity"}},{"insert":", but a cool mecha shark. Couldn't not have him in a Robo Deck.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Guidelight Matrix"}},{"insert":" - a nice little early game extra draw, but overall a waste of mana, it's in because it's the core processor of the Guidelight hardware, missing it would put the Deck's thematical integrity into question. If you removed most vehicles from this deck you should also swap this card out.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Aetherjacket"}},{"insert":" - while relatively expensive for a removal, it's still an early game flyer you can just put on the board. Definately weak, but i find it great for your first attack, just clearing the way for your attackers a little.\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Circuit Mender"}},{"insert":" - probably one of the weakest cards because the Deck isn't a Lifegain deck, but he is food for your "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Repurposing Bay"}},{"insert":" to first Tutor and then additionally draw a card ontop of it.\n\nUpgrade Potential"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis Deck's greatest Weakpoint is targeted Removal, once your Counterspells are gone you'll have to revive "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" a lot.\nBut the Deck is built around the idea that "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" will get focused and his low mana cost allows for a few Commander destructions.\nOne of the other Copy cards even banks on the Commander getting destroyed: "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Echo Storm"}},{"insert":" \nWhich in turn means that you should keep your Upgrades for "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mendicant Core, Guidelight"}},{"insert":" on hand rather than rushing them out before you know you'll\ngo into full attack mode with your entire board.\n\nThe Deck is a Go-Wide + Voltron Deck, but the Commander, without "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Adaptive Omnitool"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Defensive Stance"}},{"insert":", only has and keeps 3 Toughness. \nSo when i upgraded this Deck, this is the first thing i will address, giving the Commander more ways to also gain Toughness.\n\nLifegain is present, some spells, like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"War Report"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Riot Control"}},{"insert":" are very powerful in this Deck when it comes to Lifegain,\nbut there are 0 cards making use of the life gained, only "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sink into Stupor // Soporific Springs"}},{"insert":"'s flipped Land side asks you to pay 3 life to not have it come into play tapped.\nThat means a lot more Pain Lands could be possible in an Upgrade but also a lot more cards that will use the Life for some sort of attack power or combat advantage.\n\nAristocrat aspects are only present in "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Repurposing Bay"}},{"insert":" - and this doesn't directly account for the Commander being destroyed in combat. So if you wanted you could put\nsome blue spells into this Deck that use the Commander getting into situations where him or other creatures get destroyed. I built a ton of those decks and didn't really\nwant to put burn or drain effects into this Deck, so this is up to you if you want to take advantage of the fact that the Commander and other creatures will most likely get destroyed.\n\nRecursion is present with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Open the Vaults"}},{"insert":" - of course white mana has a ton more options to add more recursion into this deck, especially for 3-mana drops or cards with lower mana costs,\na ton of modern sets have recursion options ready. But even if focused, i personally don't think a 2-mana Commander ever really needed a lot of recursion.\n\nAnd last but not least: Firststrike / Doublestrike and Trample are entirely absent. For a semi Voltron Deck this is definately something that should be worked on in Upgrades, too.\n\nUpdate 04/27/2025: Replaced Gossip's Talent and Panharmonicon with Intellectual Offering and Norn's Annex\nUpdate 04/27/2025: Replaced Conjurer's Closet with Leyline Axe\nUpdate 04/27/2025: Replaced Arm with Aether with Hero's Heirloom\nUpdate 04/27/2025: Replaced Rite of Replication with Thopter Assembly\nUpdate 04/27/2025: Replaced Broadcast Rambler with Skyclave Relic\nUpdate 04/27/2025: Replaced Diamond Mare with Stasis Field\n"}]}
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