Mishra, Eminent One costs {2}{U}{B}{R} and is a Legendary Creature. At the beginning of combat on your turn you create a token that is a copy of target noncreature artifact you control, except its name is Mishra's Warform and it is a 4/4 Construct artifact creature in addition to its other types. It gains haste until end of turn, and you sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step. Every turn a rock or a trinket becomes a 4/4 attacker that leaves its enter-the-battlefield and leave-the-battlefield effects behind.

The precon already has 30 artifacts and the cards that benefit from copying them, including Ichor Wellspring, Emry, Cursed Mirror and Jhoira. Each swap below pairs a cut with an add, and every card is scored with the same numbers the Oracle uses to build decks: synergy and inclusion from the Mishra decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Mishra decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Mishra's Burnished Banner precon guide.

12
Swaps
$8.22
Cost of the adds
37→37
Lands
11→36
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Too few cost reducers and artifact engines

Etherium Sculptor, Enthusiastic Mechanaut, Foundry Inspector and Cryogen Relic make artifacts cheaper or replace themselves. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

A creature top end that Mishra decks skip

Geth, Workshop Elders, Herald of Anguish and Hellkite Igniter all cost six or more, and the deck has 12 nonland cards at mana value six or more. Each is played in about one Mishra deck in seven to fourteen.

Slow and unrelated cards

Oblivion Stone, Fact or Fiction and Faithless Looting are each played in about one Mishra deck in four or fewer, and cards that make Mishra's artifacts do something are worth more.

The 12 swaps

Each pair shows the numbers for the card coming out and the card going in. Click a card image to zoom.

Swap 1 of 12
Geth, Lord of the Vault
Cut
Geth, Lord of the Vault
Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Zombie · 4BB
Inclusion7%
Synergy7%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 7
Etherium Sculptor
Add
Etherium Sculptor
Artifact Creature — Vedalken Artificer · 1U
Inclusion56%
Synergy52%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 54

Geth, Lord of the Vault is a six-mana 5/5 with intimidate that reanimates artifacts and creatures from opponents' graveyards. It is played in about one Mishra deck in fourteen.

Etherium Sculptor is a 1/2 Vedalken Artificer artifact creature for {1}{U}. Artifact spells you cast cost {1} less. A two-drop that makes every artifact cheaper, and the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 12
Workshop Elders
Cut
Workshop Elders
Creature — Human Artificer · 6U
Inclusion9%
Synergy9%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 9
Enthusiastic Mechanaut
Add
Enthusiastic Mechanaut
Artifact Creature — Goblin Artificer · UR
Inclusion50%
Synergy46%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 48

Workshop Elders is a seven-mana 4/4 that gives artifact creatures flying and turns a noncreature artifact into a creature each combat. It is played in about one Mishra deck in eleven.

Enthusiastic Mechanaut is a 2/2 flying Goblin Artificer artifact creature for {U}{R}. Artifact spells you cast cost {1} less. A two-mana flyer that discounts every artifact.

Swap 3 of 12
Herald of Anguish
Cut
Herald of Anguish
Creature — Demon · 5BB
Inclusion11%
Synergy11%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Foundry Inspector
Add
Foundry Inspector
Artifact Creature — Construct · 3
Inclusion45%
Synergy41%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 42

Herald of Anguish is a seven-mana 5/5 flyer with improvise that makes each opponent discard at your end step. It is played in about one Mishra deck in nine.

Foundry Inspector is a 3/2 Construct artifact creature for {3}. Artifact spells you cast cost {1} less. A third cost reducer to stack with the other two.

Swap 4 of 12
Hellkite Igniter
Cut
Hellkite Igniter
Creature — Dragon · 5RR
Inclusion14%
Synergy14%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 14
Cryogen Relic
Add
Cryogen Relic
Artifact · 1U
Inclusion44%
Synergy43%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 44

Hellkite Igniter is a seven-mana 5/5 flying, haste Dragon that pumps for each artifact. It is played in about one Mishra deck in seven.

Cryogen Relic costs {1}{U}. When it enters or leaves the battlefield you draw a card, and for {1}{U} and a sacrifice it puts a stun counter on up to one target tapped creature. A cheap artifact that replaces itself, so Mishra's copy draws a card too.

Swap 5 of 12
Traxos, Scourge of Kroog
Cut
Traxos, Scourge of Kroog
Legendary Artifact Creature — Dragon Construct · 4
Inclusion11%
Synergy11%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Determined Iteration
Add
Determined Iteration
Enchantment · 1R
Inclusion37%
Synergy36%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 36

Traxos, Scourge of Kroog is a four-mana 7/7 trampler that enters tapped and only untaps when you cast a historic spell. It is played in about one Mishra deck in nine.

Determined Iteration costs {1}{R}. At the beginning of combat on your turn you populate, which copies a creature token you control, and the copy gains haste and is sacrificed at the next end step. If Mishra's trigger resolves first, it copies Mishra's Warform for a second 4/4 attacker.

Swap 6 of 12
Fain, the Broker
Cut
Fain, the Broker
Legendary Creature — Human Warlock · 2B
Inclusion9%
Synergy8%
Lift6.9×
Oracle score 8
Scrap Trawler
Add
Scrap Trawler
Artifact Creature — Construct · 3
Inclusion36%
Synergy33%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 34

Fain, the Broker is a three-mana 3/3 that turns sacrificed creatures and artifacts into counters, Treasures and Inklings. It is played in about one Mishra deck in eleven.

Scrap Trawler is a 3/2 Construct artifact creature for {3}. Whenever it dies or another artifact you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you return target artifact card with lesser mana value from your graveyard to your hand. A three-drop that makes sure no artifact is lost, including Mishra's sacrificed token.

Swap 7 of 12
Farid, Enterprising Salvager
Cut
Farid, Enterprising Salvager
Legendary Creature — Human Soldier · 2R
Inclusion11%
Synergy11%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Sai, Master Thopterist
Add
Sai, Master Thopterist
Legendary Creature — Human Artificer · 2U
Inclusion24%
Synergy23%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 24

Farid, Enterprising Salvager is a three-mana 3/3 that makes Scrap tokens when your artifacts die. It is played in about one Mishra deck in nine.

Sai, Master Thopterist is a 1/4 Legendary Creature for {2}{U}. Whenever you cast an artifact spell you create a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying, and for {1}{U} and two sacrificed artifacts you draw a card. A three-drop that makes a flyer for every artifact spell you cast.

Swap 8 of 12
Scavenged Brawler
Cut
Scavenged Brawler
Artifact Creature — Construct · 6
Inclusion12%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 12
Demonic Junker
Add
Demonic Junker
Artifact — Vehicle · 6B
Inclusion34%
Synergy31%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 32

Scavenged Brawler is a six-mana 4/4 artifact creature with flying, vigilance, trample and lifelink. It is played in about one Mishra deck in eight.

Demonic Junker is a Vehicle for {6}{B} with affinity for artifacts. When it enters, for each player you destroy up to one target creature that player controls, and if a creature you controlled was destroyed this way it gets two +1/+1 counters. It crews with 2. A removal spell that costs far less than seven mana in this deck.

Swap 9 of 12
Oblivion Stone
Cut
Oblivion Stone
Artifact · 3
Inclusion12%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 12
Tithing Blade // Consuming Sepulcher
Add
Tithing Blade // Consuming Sepulcher
Artifact // Artifact · 1B
Inclusion32%
Synergy31%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 32

Oblivion Stone is a three-mana artifact that destroys every nonland permanent without a fate counter for {5}, a tap and a sacrifice. It is played in about one Mishra deck in eight.

Tithing Blade costs {1}{B}. When it enters, each opponent sacrifices a creature of their choice, and it can be crafted for {4}{B} into an artifact that drains 1 each upkeep. A cheap artifact that removes a creature, and Mishra's copy of it makes them sacrifice another.

Swap 10 of 12
Glint Raker
Cut
Glint Raker
Creature — Drake · 3U
Inclusion12%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 12
Esoteric Duplicator
Add
Esoteric Duplicator
Artifact — Clue · 2U
Inclusion30%
Synergy29%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 30

Glint Raker is a four-mana 1/3 flyer that gets +X/+0 from your most expensive artifact. It is played in about one Mishra deck in eight.

Esoteric Duplicator costs {2}{U}. Whenever you sacrifice it or another artifact, you may pay {2} to create a token copy of that artifact at the next end step, and for {2} and a sacrifice it draws a card. A Clue that can copy the artifacts you sacrifice, including Mishra's token.

Swap 11 of 12
Fact or Fiction
Cut
Fact or Fiction
Instant · 3U
Inclusion16%
Synergy10%
Lift2.5×
Oracle score 13
Mystic Forge
Add
Mystic Forge
Artifact · 4
Inclusion28%
Synergy27%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 27

Fact or Fiction is a four-mana instant that reveals five cards and lets an opponent split them. It is played in about one Mishra deck in six.

Mystic Forge costs {4}. You may look at the top card of your library at any time and cast artifact spells and colorless spells from the top of your library, and for a tap and 1 life you exile the top card. A card engine that casts the artifacts Mishra wants to copy.

Swap 12 of 12
Faithless Looting
Cut
Faithless Looting
Sorcery · R
Inclusion25%
Synergy5%
Lift1.2×
Oracle score 13
Prized Statue
Add
Prized Statue
Artifact · 2
Inclusion27%
Synergy27%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 27

Faithless Looting is a one-mana sorcery that draws two cards and discards two, with flashback. It is played in about one Mishra deck in four.

Prized Statue costs {2}. When it enters or is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you create a Treasure token. A two-mana artifact that makes a Treasure when it enters, and another when it dies, which includes Mishra's sacrificed copy.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Geth, Lord of the Vault
  • Workshop Elders
  • Herald of Anguish
  • Hellkite Igniter
  • Traxos, Scourge of Kroog
  • Fain, the Broker
  • Farid, Enterprising Salvager
  • Scavenged Brawler
  • Oblivion Stone
  • Glint Raker
  • Fact or Fiction
  • Faithless Looting

Add

  • Etherium Sculptor
  • Enthusiastic Mechanaut
  • Foundry Inspector
  • Cryogen Relic
  • Determined Iteration
  • Scrap Trawler
  • Sai, Master Thopterist
  • Demonic Junker
  • Tithing Blade
  • Esoteric Duplicator
  • Mystic Forge
  • Prized Statue

What to keep

These cards are doing the deck's heavy lifting. Do not cut them.

If you want to spend more

These are strong but sit outside a budget upgrade. Prices are the cheapest paper printing.

The verdict

Mishra's Burnished Banner already has the artifacts and the copy targets. The upgrade is cost reducers, cheap artifacts that replace themselves and removal that is itself an artifact, in place of expensive creatures and board wipes. These twelve swaps cost about $8 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around Mishra, Eminent One from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Mishra's Burnished Banner precon?

Using data from 8,009 Mishra decks, the highest-scoring additions are Etherium Sculptor (for Geth, Lord of the Vault), Enthusiastic Mechanaut (for Workshop Elders) and Cryogen Relic (for Hellkite Igniter). The full list has 12 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Mishra's Burnished Banner?

All 12 swaps cost about $8.22 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-28). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers The Mightstone and Weakstone ($4.42) and Skysovereign, Consul Flagship ($0.32).

What should I cut from Mishra's Burnished Banner?

The weakest cards for this commander are Geth, Lord of the Vault, Fain, the Broker and Workshop Elders. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Mishra's Burnished Banner?

Keep Ichor Wellspring, Emry, Lurker of the Loch, Cursed Mirror, Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain and Strionic Resonator. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Mishra do?

Mishra, Eminent One costs {2}{U}{B}{R} and is a Legendary Creature. At the beginning of combat on your turn you create a token that is a copy of target noncreature artifact you control, except its name is Mishra's Warform and it is a 4/4 Construct artifact creature in addition to its other types. It gains haste until end of turn, and you sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step. Every turn a rock or a trinket becomes a 4/4 attacker that leaves its enter-the-battlefield and leave-the-battlefield effects behind.

More The Brothers' War Commander upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Mishra, Eminent One decks (8,009 of them when this was written, 2026-10-28) that play the card. Synergy is how much more often they play it than other decks in the same colours. Oracle score is synergy × 0.6 plus inclusion × 0.4, the same blend The Oracle uses to rank cards for a deck. Lift compares how often the card appears in these decks with how often it could, capped at 8× here; it is shown for context and does not change the score.

Two cautions. Players who run the precon unmodified count as Mishra decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift is high for many artifact cards because few decks play them outside an artifact deck, so use lift to compare cards, not to judge one in isolation. Prices are the cheapest non-foil paper printing on TCGplayer (via Scryfall), in USD, and move daily.