Satya, Aetherflux Genius costs {1}{U}{R}{W} and has menace and haste. Whenever Satya attacks, you create a tapped and attacking token copy of up to one other target nontoken creature you control, and you get {E}{E}. At the beginning of the next end step, you sacrifice that token unless you pay energy equal to its mana value. Energy keeps the copies alive.

The precon already has the payoffs, including Izzet Generatorium, Lightning Runner and Aetherworks Marvel. 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 Satya decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Satya decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Creative Energy precon guide.

13
Swaps
$11.08
Cost of the adds
38→38
Lands
15→43
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Not enough cheap energy

Guide of Souls, Tune the Narrative, Riddle Gate Gargoyle and Electrostatic Pummeler all give energy for one to three mana. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

Cards that do nothing with energy

Silverquill Lecturer is not a card Satya, and Coveted Jewel, Grenzo, Tezzeret's Gambit and Legion Loyalty are each played in about one Satya deck in four or fewer decks usually play.

Slow mana and a heavy top end

Midnight Clock, Hourglass of the Lost and Wayfarer's Bauble do little in a deck that already has Sol Ring, Arcane Signet and Solar Transformer. Thirteen nonland cards cost six or more.

The 13 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 13
Silverquill Lecturer
Cut
Silverquill Lecturer
Creature — Kor Wizard · 4W
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Guide of Souls
Add
Guide of Souls
Creature — Human Cleric · W
Inclusion73%
Synergy67%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 69

Silverquill Lecturer is a five-mana 3/3 that gives creature spells demonstrate. It is not a card Satya decks usually play.

Guide of Souls is a 1/2 for {W}. Whenever another creature you control enters you gain 1 life and get {E}, and when you attack you may pay {E}{E}{E} to put two +1/+1 counters and a flying counter on an attacking creature. It is the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 13
Coveted Jewel
Cut
Coveted Jewel
Artifact · 6
Inclusion7%
Synergy5%
Lift4.6×
Oracle score 6
Electrosiphon
Add
Electrosiphon
Instant · UUR
Inclusion55%
Synergy50%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 52

Coveted Jewel costs six: you draw three cards when it enters, but whenever an opponent's creatures attack you and are not blocked, that player draws three and takes the Jewel. It is played in about one Satya deck in fourteen.

Electrosiphon costs {U}{U}{R} at instant speed. It counters a spell and you get energy equal to its mana value, so a counterspell can pay for a Satya copy.

Swap 3 of 13
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
Cut
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
Legendary Creature — Goblin Rogue · RR
Inclusion10%
Synergy9%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 10
Galvanic Discharge
Add
Galvanic Discharge
Instant · R
Inclusion39%
Synergy36%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 37

Grenzo, Havoc Raiser is a 2/2 for {R}{R} that goads or steals cards when your creatures deal combat damage. It is played in about one Satya deck in ten.

Galvanic Discharge costs {R} at instant speed: you get three energy, then you may pay any amount of it, and it deals that much damage to a creature or planeswalker. One mana of removal that leaves energy behind if you pay less.

Swap 4 of 13
Burnished Hart
Cut
Burnished Hart
Artifact Creature — Elk · 3
Inclusion16%
Synergy15%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 15
Riddle Gate Gargoyle
Add
Riddle Gate Gargoyle
Artifact Creature — Gargoyle · WU
Inclusion32%
Synergy30%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 31

Burnished Hart is a three-mana artifact creature that sacrifices itself for two basic lands. It is played in about one Satya deck in six.

Riddle Gate Gargoyle is a 2/2 flying artifact creature for {W}{U}. When it enters you get three energy, and when you attack you may pay {E}{E} to give a creature lifelink. A two-drop that pays for Satya's copies.

Swap 5 of 13
Tezzeret's Gambit
Cut
Tezzeret's Gambit
Sorcery · 3U/P
Inclusion23%
Synergy12%
Lift2.0×
Oracle score 16
Tune the Narrative
Add
Tune the Narrative
Instant · U
Inclusion45%
Synergy42%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 43

Tezzeret's Gambit draws two cards and proliferates for four mana. It is played in about one Satya deck in four.

Tune the Narrative costs {U} at instant speed. You draw a card and get two energy. A one-mana cantrip that powers Satya's token.

Swap 6 of 13
Legion Loyalty
Cut
Legion Loyalty
Enchantment · 6WW
Inclusion22%
Synergy21%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 21
Brotherhood Scribe
Add
Brotherhood Scribe
Creature — Human Artificer · 1W
Inclusion47%
Synergy42%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 44

Legion Loyalty costs eight to give your creatures myriad. It is played in about one Satya deck in five.

Brotherhood Scribe is a 1/3 for {1}{W} that taps for energy if you control three or more artifacts. Whenever you get energy on your turn, your creatures get +1/+1 until end of turn, so Satya's two energy a swing pumps the team.

Swap 7 of 13
Midnight Clock
Cut
Midnight Clock
Artifact · 2U
Inclusion21%
Synergy18%
Lift6.6×
Oracle score 19
HELIOS One
Add
HELIOS One
Land
Inclusion49%
Synergy44%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 46

Midnight Clock is a three-mana rock that takes twelve hour counters to refill your hand. It is played in about one Satya deck in five.

HELIOS One is a land that taps for {C}. For {1} and a tap it makes energy, and for {3}, a tap and X energy it is sacrificed to destroy a nonland permanent with mana value X. A land that takes no spell slot and doubles as removal.

Swap 8 of 13
Wayfarer's Bauble
Cut
Wayfarer's Bauble
Artifact · 1
Inclusion24%
Synergy15%
Lift2.7×
Oracle score 19
Aether Revolt
Add
Aether Revolt
Enchantment · 2RR
Inclusion49%
Synergy46%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 47

Wayfarer's Bauble is a one-mana artifact that costs {2} more to fetch a basic land. It is played in about one Satya deck in four.

Aether Revolt costs {2}{R}{R}: whenever you get energy, it deals that much damage to any target, and with revolt it adds 2 to your noncombat damage. Every energy you make is also damage.

Swap 9 of 13
Hourglass of the Lost
Cut
Hourglass of the Lost
Artifact · 2W
Inclusion23%
Synergy21%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 21
Electrostatic Pummeler
Add
Electrostatic Pummeler
Artifact Creature — Construct · 3
Inclusion18%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17

Hourglass of the Lost is a three-mana rock that returns permanents of one mana value to the battlefield. It is played in about one Satya deck in four.

Electrostatic Pummeler is a 1/1 artifact creature for {3}. When it enters you get three energy, and you pay {E}{E}{E} to double its power. A body for Satya to copy that pays for the copy.

Swap 10 of 13
Myr Battlesphere
Cut
Myr Battlesphere
Artifact Creature — Myr Construct · 7
Inclusion19%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17
Volatile Stormdrake
Add
Volatile Stormdrake
Creature — Drake · 1U
Inclusion51%
Synergy47%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 49

Myr Battlesphere is a seven-mana 4/7 that creates four Myr. It is played in about one Satya deck in five, and its mana value of seven makes a copy cost seven energy.

Volatile Stormdrake is a 3/2 flier for {1}{U} with hexproof from activated and triggered abilities. When it enters you exchange control of it with a creature an opponent controls, get four energy, and sacrifice that creature unless you pay energy equal to its mana value. A two-drop that steals a creature and fuels the deck.

Swap 11 of 13
Aethersphere Harvester
Cut
Aethersphere Harvester
Artifact — Vehicle · 3
Inclusion13%
Synergy13%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 13
Dr. Madison Li
Add
Dr. Madison Li
Legendary Creature — Human Scientist · URW
Inclusion46%
Synergy43%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 44

Aethersphere Harvester is a three-mana Vehicle that gives two energy. It is played in about one Satya deck in eight.

Dr. Madison Li is a 2/3 Human Scientist for {U}{R}{W}. Whenever you cast an artifact spell you get {E}, and she spends energy on haste, cards and returning an artifact from your graveyard. An energy creature with a payoff for every artifact.

Swap 12 of 13
Filigree Racer
Cut
Filigree Racer
Artifact — Vehicle · 3R
Inclusion16%
Synergy16%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 16
Wrath of the Skies
Add
Wrath of the Skies
Sorcery · XWW
Inclusion39%
Synergy37%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 38

Filigree Racer is a four-mana Vehicle that gives four energy and jump-starts spells. It is played in about one Satya deck in six.

Wrath of the Skies costs {X}{W}{W}. You get X energy, then may pay any amount to destroy each artifact, creature and enchantment with mana value no greater than the energy you paid. A one-sided wipe when you pay less than you got, and energy back in the bank.

Swap 13 of 13
Coalition Relic
Cut
Coalition Relic
Artifact · 3
Inclusion18%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17
Aether Spike
Add
Aether Spike
Instant · 1U
Inclusion39%
Synergy36%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 37

Coalition Relic is a three-mana rock that stores extra mana. It is played in about one Satya deck in five.

Aether Spike costs {1}{U} at instant speed. You get two energy, then may pay any amount to counter a spell unless its controller pays {1} for each energy paid. A two-mana counterspell that pays for Satya's copies.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Silverquill Lecturer
  • Coveted Jewel
  • Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
  • Burnished Hart
  • Tezzeret's Gambit
  • Legion Loyalty
  • Midnight Clock
  • Wayfarer's Bauble
  • Hourglass of the Lost
  • Myr Battlesphere
  • Aethersphere Harvester
  • Filigree Racer
  • Coalition Relic

Add

  • Guide of Souls
  • Electrosiphon
  • Galvanic Discharge
  • Riddle Gate Gargoyle
  • Tune the Narrative
  • Brotherhood Scribe
  • HELIOS One
  • Aether Revolt
  • Electrostatic Pummeler
  • Volatile Stormdrake
  • Dr. Madison Li
  • Wrath of the Skies
  • Aether Spike

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

Creative Energy already has the energy payoffs. The upgrade is cheap energy makers and removal that spends energy, in place of slow rocks and cards that do nothing with it. These thirteen swaps cost about $11 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around Satya, Aetherflux Genius from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Creative Energy precon?

Using data from 14,850 Satya decks, the highest-scoring additions are Guide of Souls (for Silverquill Lecturer), Electrosiphon (for Coveted Jewel) and Volatile Stormdrake (for Myr Battlesphere). The full list has 13 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Creative Energy?

All 13 swaps cost about $11.08 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-27). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Panharmonicon ($4.33), Fabrication Module ($0.24) and Aetherflux Conduit ($0.27).

What should I cut from Creative Energy?

The weakest cards for this commander are Silverquill Lecturer, Coveted Jewel and Grenzo, Havoc Raiser. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Creative Energy?

Keep Izzet Generatorium, Lightning Runner, Aetherworks Marvel, Decoction Module and Solar Transformer. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Satya do?

Satya, Aetherflux Genius costs {1}{U}{R}{W} and has menace and haste. Whenever Satya attacks, you create a tapped and attacking token copy of up to one other target nontoken creature you control, and you get {E}{E}. At the beginning of the next end step, you sacrifice that token unless you pay energy equal to its mana value. Energy keeps the copies alive.

More Modern Horizons 3 Commander upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Satya, Aetherflux Genius decks (14,850 of them when this was written, 2026-10-27) 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 Satya decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift is moderate to high for energy cards because few decks play them outside this theme, 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.