Inalla, Archmage Ritualist costs {2}{U}{B}{R} and is a 4/5 Legendary Human Wizard. Its eminence lets you pay {1} whenever another nontoken Wizard you control enters, to create a hasty token copy of that Wizard that is exiled at the beginning of the next end step, and you can tap five untapped Wizards you control to make a target player lose 7 life. A Wizard with an enter-the-battlefield effect is worth two.

The precon already has the Wizards that draw and reanimate, including Bloodline Necromancer, Archaeomancer, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Apprentice Necromancer and Sea Gate Oracle. 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 Inalla decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Inalla decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Arcane Wizardry precon guide.

11
Swaps
$6.08
Cost of the adds
38→38
Lands
0→45
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Not enough Wizards with enter-the-battlefield effects

Aether Channeler, Naban, Dean of Iteration, Stonybrook Banneret, Kuja, Genome Sorcerer, Mysidian Elder and Venser, Shaper Savant are all Wizards, and most of them do something when they enter. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

Rocks and spells outside the lists

Darksteel Ingot, Mirror of the Forebears, Nevinyrral's Disk, Unstable Obelisk, Worn Powerstone, Cauldron Dance, Comet Storm, Into the Roil, Memory Plunder, Opportunity and Polymorphist's Jest are not cards Inalla decks usually play.

Few cards that make the Wizards count

Naru Meha, Master Wizard gives the other Wizards +1/+1 and Stonybrook Banneret makes Wizard spells cheaper, which helps the deck reach Inalla's five untapped Wizards.

The 11 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 11
Darksteel Ingot
Cut
Darksteel Ingot
Artifact · 3
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Step Through
Add
Step Through
Sorcery · 3UU
Inclusion66%
Synergy63%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 64

Darksteel Ingot is a three-mana indestructible rock. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Step Through is a five-mana sorcery that returns two target creatures to their owners' hands, and it has wizardcycling {2}. A removal spell that can instead be cycled for two mana to fetch a Wizard, and the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 11
Mirror of the Forebears
Cut
Mirror of the Forebears
Artifact · 2
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Naban, Dean of Iteration
Add
Naban, Dean of Iteration
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard · 1U
Inclusion64%
Synergy61%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 63

Mirror of the Forebears is a two-mana artifact that becomes a copy of a creature of the chosen type. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Naban, Dean of Iteration is a 2/1 Legendary Human Wizard for {1}{U}. If a Wizard you control entering causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time. A two-drop Wizard that doubles every Wizard's enter-the-battlefield effect.

Swap 3 of 11
Nevinyrral's Disk
Cut
Nevinyrral's Disk
Artifact · 4
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Aether Channeler
Add
Aether Channeler
Creature — Human Wizard · 2U
Inclusion53%
Synergy50%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 51

Nevinyrral's Disk is a four-mana artifact that destroys all artifacts, creatures and enchantments. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Aether Channeler is a 2/1 Human Wizard for {2}{U}. When it enters you choose one: create a 1/1 white Bird token with flying, return another target nonland permanent to its owner's hand, or draw a card. A three-drop Wizard with three modes that Inalla can copy for {1}.

Swap 4 of 11
Unstable Obelisk
Cut
Unstable Obelisk
Artifact · 3
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Stonybrook Banneret
Add
Stonybrook Banneret
Creature — Merfolk Wizard · 1U
Inclusion51%
Synergy49%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 50

Unstable Obelisk is a three-mana rock that can later destroy a permanent for {7}. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Stonybrook Banneret is a 1/1 Merfolk Wizard for {1}{U} with islandwalk. Merfolk spells and Wizard spells you cast cost {1} less. A two-drop Wizard that makes every other Wizard cheaper.

Swap 5 of 11
Worn Powerstone
Cut
Worn Powerstone
Artifact · 3
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Kuja, Genome Sorcerer // Trance Kuja, Fate Defied
Add
Kuja, Genome Sorcerer // Trance Kuja, Fate Defied
Legendary Creature — Human Mutant Wizard // Legendary Creature — Avatar Wizard · 2BR
Inclusion46%
Synergy41%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 43

Worn Powerstone is a three-mana rock that enters tapped. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Kuja, Genome Sorcerer is a Legendary Human Mutant Wizard for {2}{B}{R}. At the beginning of your end step, it creates a tapped 0/1 black Wizard creature token that deals 1 damage to each opponent whenever you cast a noncreature spell, then if you control four or more Wizards it transforms. A four-drop that makes a Wizard every turn.

Swap 6 of 11
Cauldron Dance
Cut
Cauldron Dance
Instant · 4BR
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Naru Meha, Master Wizard
Add
Naru Meha, Master Wizard
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard · 2UU
Inclusion42%
Synergy41%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 41

Cauldron Dance is a six-mana instant, cast only during combat, that returns a creature for one turn. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Naru Meha, Master Wizard is a 3/3 Legendary Human Wizard for {2}{U}{U} with flash. When it enters you copy target instant or sorcery spell you control, and other Wizards you control get +1/+1. A four-drop Wizard lord that copies a spell.

Swap 7 of 11
Comet Storm
Cut
Comet Storm
Instant · XRR
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Mysidian Elder
Add
Mysidian Elder
Creature — Human Wizard · 2R
Inclusion37%
Synergy35%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 36

Comet Storm is an instant with multikicker that deals X damage to each chosen target. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Mysidian Elder is a 1/3 Human Wizard for {2}{R}. When it enters you create a 0/1 black Wizard creature token that deals 1 damage to each opponent whenever you cast a noncreature spell. A three-drop that makes two Wizards, and Inalla can copy it for another token.

Swap 8 of 11
Into the Roil
Cut
Into the Roil
Instant · 1U
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Vedalken Aethermage
Add
Vedalken Aethermage
Creature — Vedalken Wizard · 1U
Inclusion44%
Synergy43%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 43

Into the Roil is a two-mana bounce instant, kicked for {1}{U} more to draw a card. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Vedalken Aethermage is a 1/2 Vedalken Wizard for {1}{U} with flash and wizardcycling {3}. A two-drop Wizard that can also be cycled for a Wizard from the library.

Swap 9 of 11
Memory Plunder
Cut
Memory Plunder
Instant · U/BU/BU/BU/B
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Venser, Shaper Savant
Add
Venser, Shaper Savant
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard · 2UU
Inclusion36%
Synergy34%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 35

Memory Plunder is a four-mana instant that casts an instant or sorcery from an opponent's graveyard for free. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Venser, Shaper Savant is a 2/2 Legendary Human Wizard for {2}{U}{U} with flash. When it enters you return target spell or permanent to its owner's hand. A four-drop Wizard that bounces a spell or permanent, and Inalla can copy it for {1}.

Swap 10 of 11
Opportunity
Cut
Opportunity
Instant · 4UU
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Wizard's Retort
Add
Wizard's Retort
Instant · 1UU
Inclusion39%
Synergy38%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 38

Opportunity is a six-mana instant that makes a player draw four cards. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Wizard's Retort costs {1}{U}{U}, and costs {1} less if you control a Wizard. It counters target spell. A counterspell that costs two mana in a deck full of Wizards.

Swap 11 of 11
Polymorphist's Jest
Cut
Polymorphist's Jest
Instant · 1UU
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Ertai Resurrected
Add
Ertai Resurrected
Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Human Wizard · 2UB
Inclusion33%
Synergy31%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 32

Polymorphist's Jest is a three-mana instant that turns a player's creatures into 1/1 Frogs. It is not a card Inalla decks usually play.

Ertai Resurrected is a 3/2 Legendary Phyrexian Human Wizard for {2}{U}{B} with flash. When it enters you choose up to one: counter target spell, activated ability or triggered ability, or destroy another target creature or planeswalker, and its controller draws a card either way. A four-drop Wizard with flash that answers a spell or a threat.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Darksteel Ingot
  • Mirror of the Forebears
  • Nevinyrral's Disk
  • Unstable Obelisk
  • Worn Powerstone
  • Cauldron Dance
  • Comet Storm
  • Into the Roil
  • Memory Plunder
  • Opportunity
  • Polymorphist's Jest

Add

  • Step Through
  • Naban, Dean of Iteration
  • Aether Channeler
  • Stonybrook Banneret
  • Kuja, Genome Sorcerer
  • Naru Meha, Master Wizard
  • Mysidian Elder
  • Vedalken Aethermage
  • Venser, Shaper Savant
  • Wizard's Retort
  • Ertai Resurrected

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

Arcane Wizardry already has the Wizards that draw, reanimate and reuse spells. The upgrade is cheap Wizards with enter-the-battlefield effects that Inalla can copy, in place of rocks and spells that Inalla decks leave out. These eleven swaps cost about $6 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around Inalla, Archmage Ritualist from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Arcane Wizardry precon?

Using data from 14,833 Inalla decks, the highest-scoring additions are Step Through (for Darksteel Ingot), Naban, Dean of Iteration (for Mirror of the Forebears) and Aether Channeler (for Nevinyrral's Disk). The full list has 11 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Arcane Wizardry?

All 11 swaps cost about $6.08 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-28). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Dualcaster Mage ($3.48) and Riptide Laboratory ($0.63).

What should I cut from Arcane Wizardry?

The weakest cards for this commander are Darksteel Ingot, Mirror of the Forebears and Nevinyrral's Disk. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Arcane Wizardry?

Keep Bloodline Necromancer, Archaeomancer, Azami, Lady of Scrolls, Apprentice Necromancer and Sea Gate Oracle. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Inalla do?

Inalla, Archmage Ritualist costs {2}{U}{B}{R} and is a 4/5 Legendary Human Wizard. Its eminence lets you pay {1} whenever another nontoken Wizard you control enters, to create a hasty token copy of that Wizard that is exiled at the beginning of the next end step, and you can tap five untapped Wizards you control to make a target player lose 7 life. A Wizard with an enter-the-battlefield effect is worth two.

More Commander 2017 upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Inalla, Archmage Ritualist decks (14,833 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 Inalla decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift is high for many Wizard cards because few decks play them outside a Wizards deck, so use lift to compare cards, not to judge one in isolation. A card the commander's decks do not usually play counts as 0 in the average score. Prices are the cheapest non-foil paper printing on TCGplayer (via Scryfall), in USD, and move daily.