Unfortunately, Urza proved to be too scary upfront and completely overshadowed everything. I tried several other commanders to reduce the fear. None of them felt right after getting a taste of what Urza could do for me. As a result, I shelved the idea and put all my fancy swords on the back burner in favor of other things.
Enter Dalakos. He adds a new color to the package that has had favorable interactions with artifacts in the past, and he brings two of good things to the table: low CMC and two relevant abilities.
This deck will be focusing on equipment (especially Swords of X and Y), and some of the legendary creatures that interact well with them, namely Padeem, Sai, Jhoira, Godo, Urza, Valduk, Thada, and Emry. I'm also a big fan of cost reducers in artifact decks that could potentially make some spells free to cast, so Etherium Sculptor, Foundry Inspector, Jhoira's Familiar, and Ugin, the Ineffable are all locks (and they carry swords). Assuming that the average CMC comes in under 3.0, it should be able to operate with about 36 lands to start.
I don't think gimmicky stuff like Champion of the Flame and Goblin Gaveleer are what I want to do. Bludgeon Brawl also feels a bit cheesy here.
That's all I got so far.
EDIT:
- Added eight artifact-friendly legends, and eight swords (7 "of X and Y" plus Animist).
- Added four spells that reduce the casting cost of artifacts.
- Added Bloodforged Battle-Axe, plus six equipments to protect our legends via hexproof, shroud, and/or indestructible.
- Added a fifth cost-reducer in Herald of Kozilek.
- Added 36 placeholder lands.
1/29/20:
- Added Mask of Memory, Gamble, Storm the Vault, and five mana rocks.
- Added three Mages: Trinket, Tribute, and Trophy.
- Added two Tezzerets, a Welder and an Engineer.
- Added Embercleave.
1/30/20:
- Added a bunch of non-basic lands.
- Moved a couple of cards into the "haven't acquired yet" pile.
1/31/20:
- Added a few artifact staples: Whir of Invention, Scrap Trawler, Skullclamp, Phyrexian Metamorph, and Mirage Mirror.
2/3/20:
- Cut a few ETB-tapped lands for more basics.
- Cut three mana rocks that don't actually accelerate anything in this deck.
- Added some cheap counters and other interactive spells.
Herald of Kozilek
Treasure Nabber
Valduk, Keeper of the Flame
Curse of Opulence
Shadowspear
Arcane Signet
Mana Drain
Narset's Reversal