Dr. Madison Li costs {U}{R}{W} and is a 2/3. Whenever you cast an artifact spell, you get {E}. Then she taps and pays energy for one of her abilities: one energy gives a creature +1/+0, trample and haste, three draws a card, and five returns an artifact card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped. Every artifact you cast feeds her.

The precon already has the artifacts and the energy payoffs, including Electrosiphon, Automated Assembly Line, Liberty Prime, Recharged and Mystic Forge. 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 Madison Li decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Madison Li decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Science! precon guide.

14
Swaps
$7.60
Cost of the adds
37→37
Lands
14→48
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Not enough energy

Izzet Generatorium, Aetherworks Marvel, Decoction Module, Solar Transformer and Whirler Virtuoso all make or use energy for two or three mana. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

Fallout cards that do little

Red Death, Expert-Level Safe, Vault 13: Dweller's Journey, C.A.M.P. and Overencumbered are each played in about one Madison Li deck in eight or fewer, and Red Death is not played in the commander's decks at all.

Mana rocks that do not make energy

The Intelligence and Endurance Bobbleheads, James, Wandering Dad and the Nuka-Cola Vending Machine are rocks or Food makers in a deck that already has Sol Ring, Arcane Signet and plenty of mana.

The 14 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 14
Red Death, Shipwrecker
Cut
Red Death, Shipwrecker
Legendary Creature — Crab Mutant · UR
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Izzet Generatorium
Add
Izzet Generatorium
Artifact · UR
Inclusion70%
Synergy64%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 67

Red Death, Shipwrecker is a 1/3 for {U}{R} that goads a creature and lets its controller draw a card. It is not a card Madison Li decks usually play.

Izzet Generatorium costs {U}{R}. Whenever you would get energy you get one more, and for {T} you draw a card if you have paid or lost four or more energy this turn. Every energy source is better, and it is the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 14
Expert-Level Safe
Cut
Expert-Level Safe
Artifact · 2
Inclusion8%
Synergy8%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 8
Aetherworks Marvel
Add
Aetherworks Marvel
Legendary Artifact · 4
Inclusion69%
Synergy64%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 66

Expert-Level Safe is a two-mana artifact that plays a guessing game for exiled cards. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in twelve.

Aetherworks Marvel is a four-mana artifact. Whenever a permanent you control is put into a graveyard you get {E}, and for {T} and six energy you cast a spell from the top six cards of your library for free. An artifact spell for Madison Li, and a free spell at the end.

Swap 3 of 14
Vault 13: Dweller's Journey
Cut
Vault 13: Dweller's Journey
Enchantment — Saga · 3W
Inclusion9%
Synergy9%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 9
Whirler Virtuoso
Add
Whirler Virtuoso
Creature — Vedalken Artificer · 1UR
Inclusion43%
Synergy39%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 41

Vault 13: Dweller's Journey is a four-mana Saga that exiles permanents temporarily. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in eleven.

Whirler Virtuoso is a 2/3 for {1}{U}{R}. When it enters you get three energy, and for three energy you create a 1/1 flying Thopter artifact creature. Energy becomes artifact creatures, and the Thopters are bodies for Liberty Prime's sacrifice.

Swap 4 of 14
C.A.M.P.
Cut
C.A.M.P.
Artifact — Fortification · 3
Inclusion10%
Synergy10%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 10
Decoction Module
Add
Decoction Module
Artifact · 2
Inclusion64%
Synergy58%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 60

C.A.M.P. is a three-mana Fortification that makes counters when a land taps for mana. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in ten.

Decoction Module costs {2} and is an artifact. Whenever a creature you control enters you get {E}, and for {4} and a tap you return a creature you control to its owner's hand. Cheap energy, and it replays creatures that make energy when they enter.

Swap 5 of 14
James, Wandering Dad // Follow Him
Cut
James, Wandering Dad // Follow Him
Legendary Creature — Human Scientist // Instant — Adventure · 2U // XUU
Inclusion11%
Synergy10%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Solar Transformer
Add
Solar Transformer
Artifact · 2
Inclusion50%
Synergy45%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 47

James, Wandering Dad is a 2/4 for {2}{U} that taps for {C}{C} to activate abilities only. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in nine.

Solar Transformer costs {2}. It enters tapped with three energy, taps for {C}, and pays energy to add mana of any color. An artifact spell that gives Madison Li energy and also fixes.

Swap 6 of 14
Overencumbered
Cut
Overencumbered
Enchantment — Aura · 1W
Inclusion12%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 12
Tune the Narrative
Add
Tune the Narrative
Instant · U
Inclusion40%
Synergy37%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 38

Overencumbered is an Aura that gives an opponent a Clue, a Food and a Junk token. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in eight.

Tune the Narrative costs {U} at instant speed: draw a card and get two energy. A one-mana cantrip that fills Madison Li's draw ability.

Swap 7 of 14
Nerd Rage
Cut
Nerd Rage
Enchantment — Aura · 2U
Inclusion14%
Synergy13%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 13
Etherium Sculptor
Add
Etherium Sculptor
Artifact Creature — Vedalken Artificer · 1U
Inclusion46%
Synergy32%
Lift3.4×
Oracle score 38

Nerd Rage is a three-mana Aura that draws two cards and pumps a creature if you have ten cards in hand. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in seven.

Etherium Sculptor is a 1/2 artifact creature for {1}{U}. Artifact spells you cast cost {1} less. It is an artifact spell itself, and it makes every other artifact cheaper, so Madison Li triggers earlier.

Swap 8 of 14
Nuka-Cola Vending Machine
Cut
Nuka-Cola Vending Machine
Artifact · 3
Inclusion19%
Synergy18%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 18
Bespoke Battlewagon
Add
Bespoke Battlewagon
Artifact — Vehicle · 3U
Inclusion40%
Synergy37%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 38

Nuka-Cola Vending Machine is a three-mana artifact that makes Food for {1}. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in five.

Bespoke Battlewagon is a 5/6 Vehicle for {3}{U} with crew 4. For {T} it gives you two energy, for two energy it taps a creature, and for three energy it draws a card. An artifact that makes more energy every turn.

Swap 9 of 14
Endurance Bobblehead
Cut
Endurance Bobblehead
Artifact — Bobblehead · 3
Inclusion18%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17
Gonti's Aether Heart
Add
Gonti's Aether Heart
Legendary Artifact · 6
Inclusion69%
Synergy64%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 66

Endurance Bobblehead is a three-mana rock that gives creatures indestructible. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in five.

Gonti's Aether Heart is a six-mana legendary artifact. Whenever it or another artifact you control enters, you get {E}{E}, and for eight energy you exile it to take an extra turn. Every artifact you cast is two energy, and it ends in an extra turn.

Swap 10 of 14
Intelligence Bobblehead
Cut
Intelligence Bobblehead
Artifact — Bobblehead · 3
Inclusion18%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17
Aether Refinery
Add
Aether Refinery
Artifact · 4RR
Inclusion57%
Synergy52%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 54

Intelligence Bobblehead is a three-mana rock that draws X cards for {5}. It is played in about one Madison Li deck in five.

Aether Refinery is a six-mana artifact. If you would get energy you get twice that many, and for {T} you get energy and may pay it to create an X/X Aetherborn token. Every energy source doubles, and the energy becomes creatures.

Swap 11 of 14
Unexpected Windfall
Cut
Unexpected Windfall
Instant · 2RR
Inclusion23%
Synergy18%
Lift5.2×
Oracle score 20
Guide of Souls
Add
Guide of Souls
Creature — Human Cleric · W
Inclusion45%
Synergy40%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 42

Unexpected Windfall ({2}{R}{R}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 20 in the Oracle: it is in 23% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 18% synergy. It reads: As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card. Draw two cards and create two Treasure tokens.

Guide of Souls ({W}) scores 42: it is in 45% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 40% synergy. It reads: Whenever another creature you control enters, you gain 1 life and get {E} . Whenever you attack, you may pay {E}{E}{E}. When you do, put two +1/+1 counters and a flying counter on target attacking creature.

Swap 12 of 14
Bottle-Cap Blast
Cut
Bottle-Cap Blast
Instant · 4R
Inclusion22%
Synergy21%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 21
Satya, Aetherflux Genius
Add
Satya, Aetherflux Genius
Legendary Creature — Human Artificer · 1URW
Inclusion41%
Synergy39%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 40

Bottle-Cap Blast ({4}{R}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 21 in the Oracle: it is in 22% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 21% synergy. It reads: Improvise. Bottle-Cap Blast deals 5 damage to any target. If excess damage was dealt to a permanent this way, create that many tapped Treasure tokens.

Satya, Aetherflux Genius ({1}{U}{R}{W}) scores 40: it is in 41% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 39% synergy. It reads: Menace, haste. Whenever Satya attacks, create a tapped and attacking token that's a copy of up to one other target nontoken creature you control. You get {E}{E} .

Swap 13 of 14
Nick Valentine, Private Eye
Cut
Nick Valentine, Private Eye
Legendary Artifact Creature — Synth Detective · 2U
Inclusion23%
Synergy22%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 22
Aetherflux Conduit
Add
Aetherflux Conduit
Artifact · 6
Inclusion41%
Synergy38%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 39

Nick Valentine, Private Eye ({2}{U}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 22 in the Oracle: it is in 22% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 22% synergy. It reads: Nick Valentine can't be blocked except by artifact creatures. Whenever Nick Valentine or another artifact creature you control dies, you may investigate.

Aetherflux Conduit ({6}) scores 39: it is in 41% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 38% synergy. It reads: Whenever you cast a spell, you get an amount of {E} equal to the amount of mana spent to cast that spell. {T}, Pay fifty {E}: Draw seven cards. You may cast any number of spells from your hand without paying their mana costs.

Swap 14 of 14
Loyal Apprentice
Cut
Loyal Apprentice
Creature — Human Artificer · 1R
Inclusion25%
Synergy20%
Lift5.3×
Oracle score 22
Conversion Apparatus
Add
Conversion Apparatus
Artifact · 3
Inclusion41%
Synergy37%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 38

Loyal Apprentice ({1}{R}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 22 in the Oracle: it is in 25% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 20% synergy. It reads: Haste. Lieutenant : At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you control your commander, create a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying.

Conversion Apparatus ({3}) scores 38: it is in 41% of Dr. Madison Li decks with 37% synergy. It reads: {T}: Add {C}. {3}, {T}: You get {E}{E}{E} . {T}, Pay {E}{E}{E}: Add three mana in any combination of colors.

The full swap list

Cut

  • Red Death, Shipwrecker
  • Expert-Level Safe
  • Vault 13: Dweller's Journey
  • C.A.M.P.
  • James, Wandering Dad
  • Overencumbered
  • Nerd Rage
  • Nuka-Cola Vending Machine
  • Endurance Bobblehead
  • Intelligence Bobblehead
  • Unexpected Windfall
  • Bottle-Cap Blast
  • Nick Valentine, Private Eye
  • Loyal Apprentice

Add

  • Izzet Generatorium
  • Aetherworks Marvel
  • Whirler Virtuoso
  • Decoction Module
  • Solar Transformer
  • Tune the Narrative
  • Etherium Sculptor
  • Bespoke Battlewagon
  • Gonti's Aether Heart
  • Aether Refinery
  • Guide of Souls
  • Satya, Aetherflux Genius
  • Aetherflux Conduit
  • Conversion Apparatus

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

Science! already has the artifacts and the payoffs. The upgrade is cheap energy makers and engines that double and spend it, in place of Fallout fillers and mana rocks that do not make energy. These fourteen swaps cost about $8 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around Dr. Madison Li from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Science! precon?

Using data from 6,655 Dr. Madison Li decks, the highest-scoring additions are Izzet Generatorium (for Red Death, Shipwrecker), Aetherworks Marvel (for Expert-Level Safe) and Gonti's Aether Heart (for Endurance Bobblehead). The full list has 14 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Science!?

All 14 swaps cost about $7.60 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-27). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Lightning Runner ($0.18).

What should I cut from Science!?

The weakest cards for this commander are Red Death, Shipwrecker, Expert-Level Safe and Vault 13: Dweller's Journey. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Science!?

Keep Electrosiphon, Automated Assembly Line, Liberty Prime, Recharged, Assaultron Dominator and Mystic Forge. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Dr. Madison Li do?

Dr. Madison Li costs {U}{R}{W} and is a 2/3. Whenever you cast an artifact spell, you get {E}. Then she taps and pays energy for one of her abilities: one energy gives a creature +1/+0, trample and haste, three draws a card, and five returns an artifact card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped. Every artifact you cast feeds her.

More Fallout upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Dr. Madison Li decks (6,655 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 Dr. Madison Li 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.