Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy costs {2}{G}{U}{R} and is a 4/4. Artifact creatures you control have trample, and at the beginning of your end step you create a 0/0 red Gremlin artifact creature token with X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is the number of differently named artifact tokens you control. Every new kind of Clue, Food, Treasure, Blood or Powerstone token makes the Gremlin bigger.

The precon already has the token makers, including Academy Manufactor, Thopter Spy Network, Tireless Provisioner and Gilded Goose. 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 Gimbal decks, plus lift, which shows how much more often a card turns up in Gimbal decks than in decks that could play it.

Looking for the unmodified list first? Read the Tinker Time precon guide.

14
Swaps
$22.69
Cost of the adds
38→38
Lands
11→45
Avg Oracle score

What is holding the deck back

Not enough different artifact tokens

Transmutation Font, Svella, Toggo, Roxanne and Peregrin Took make Clues, Food, Blood, Icy Manaliths, Rocks and Meteorites, each with a different name. They are among the top-scoring cards the precon leaves out.

Token makers that make artifact creatures

Brudiclad, Pinnacle Emissary, Third Path Iconoclast and Chrome Host Seedshark create or copy tokens every turn, and artifact creature tokens get trample from Gimbal.

Sweepers and big spells

Fiery Confluence, Vampires' Vengeance, Dance with Calamity and Spine of Ish Sah kill your own Gremlins or cost seven or more. Fractured Powerstone and Ichor Elixir are not played in the commander's decks.

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
Fractured Powerstone
Cut
Fractured Powerstone
Artifact · 2
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
Add
Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
Legendary Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Artificer · 4UR
Inclusion60%
Synergy56%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 58

Fractured Powerstone is a two-mana rock that rolls the planar die. It is not a card Gimbal decks usually play.

Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer is a 4/4 for {4}{U}{R}. Creature tokens you control have haste, and at the beginning of combat each turn you create a 2/1 Phyrexian Myr artifact creature token, then may make each other token you control a copy of one. A token engine, and the highest-scoring card the precon leaves out.

Swap 2 of 14
Ichor Elixir
Cut
Ichor Elixir
Artifact · 4
Not a card this commander's decks usually play, so it scores below the cards that are
Roxanne, Starfall Savant
Add
Roxanne, Starfall Savant
Legendary Creature — Cat Druid · 3RG
Inclusion59%
Synergy57%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 58

Ichor Elixir is a four-mana rock that changes planar dice. It is not a card Gimbal decks usually play.

Roxanne, Starfall Savant is a 4/3 for {3}{R}{G}. Whenever it enters or attacks, you create a tapped Meteorite artifact token that deals 2 damage to any target and taps for any color, and tapping artifact tokens for mana adds an extra mana. A new artifact token name every attack.

Swap 3 of 14
Path of the Animist
Cut
Path of the Animist
Sorcery · 3G
Inclusion7%
Synergy7%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 7
Transmutation Font
Add
Transmutation Font
Artifact · 5
Inclusion53%
Synergy52%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 52

Path of the Animist is a four-mana sorcery that ramps two basics and has a vote. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in fourteen.

Transmutation Font is a five-mana artifact. For a tap it creates a Blood, a Clue or a Food, and for {3} and three artifact tokens with different names it fetches an artifact onto the battlefield. A token engine that wants the exact thing Gimbal makes.

Swap 4 of 14
Dance with Calamity
Cut
Dance with Calamity
Sorcery · 7R
Inclusion9%
Synergy8%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 9
Peregrin Took
Add
Peregrin Took
Legendary Creature — Halfling Citizen · 2G
Inclusion50%
Synergy48%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 49

Dance with Calamity is an eight-mana gamble sorcery. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in eleven.

Peregrin Took is a 2/3 for {2}{G}: if one or more tokens would be created under your control, those tokens plus an additional Food token are created instead, and you can sacrifice three Foods to draw a card. Every token you make adds a Food, so the Gremlin keeps growing.

Swap 5 of 14
Spine of Ish Sah
Cut
Spine of Ish Sah
Artifact · 7
Inclusion9%
Synergy9%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 9
Third Path Iconoclast
Add
Third Path Iconoclast
Creature — Human Monk · UR
Inclusion50%
Synergy47%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 48

Spine of Ish Sah is a seven-mana artifact that destroys a permanent and returns to hand. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in eleven.

Third Path Iconoclast is a 2/1 Human Monk for {U}{R}. Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, you create a 1/1 Soldier artifact creature token. A two-drop that makes a body, and one with trample.

Swap 6 of 14
Stroke of Genius
Cut
Stroke of Genius
Instant · X2U
Inclusion12%
Synergy11%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 11
Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith
Add
Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith
Legendary Creature — Goblin Artificer · 2R
Inclusion48%
Synergy47%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 47

Stroke of Genius is an X draw spell for {X}{2}{U}. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in eight.

Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith is a 2/2 for {2}{R}. Landfall: whenever a land enters under your control you create a colorless Equipment artifact token named Rock. Every land drop is a new artifact token name.

Swap 7 of 14
Fiery Confluence
Cut
Fiery Confluence
Sorcery · 2RR
Inclusion13%
Synergy11%
Lift6.2×
Oracle score 12
Svella, Ice Shaper
Add
Svella, Ice Shaper
Legendary Snow Creature — Troll Warrior · 1RG
Inclusion47%
Synergy47%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 47

Fiery Confluence costs {2}{R}{R} to deal damage to each creature, to opponents, or to destroy artifacts. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in eight, and it kills your own Gremlins.

Svella, Ice Shaper is a 2/4 for {1}{R}{G}. For {3} and a tap it creates a colorless snow artifact token named Icy Manalith that taps for any color. A creature that makes a different artifact token and mana every turn.

Swap 8 of 14
Vampires' Vengeance
Cut
Vampires' Vengeance
Instant · 2R
Inclusion12%
Synergy12%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 12
Chrome Host Seedshark
Add
Chrome Host Seedshark
Creature — Phyrexian Shark · 2U
Inclusion39%
Synergy39%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 39

Vampires' Vengeance deals 2 damage to each non-Vampire creature and creates a Blood. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in eight, and it kills your own tokens.

Chrome Host Seedshark is a 2/4 flying Phyrexian Shark for {2}{U}. Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, you incubate X, where X is that spell's mana value. An Incubator is an artifact token, and it becomes an artifact creature.

Swap 9 of 14
Aid from the Cowl
Cut
Aid from the Cowl
Enchantment · 3GG
Inclusion13%
Synergy13%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 13
Volo, Itinerant Scholar
Add
Volo, Itinerant Scholar
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard · 2U
Inclusion32%
Synergy32%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 32

Aid from the Cowl is a five-mana enchantment with revolt. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in eight.

Volo, Itinerant Scholar is a 2/3 for {2}{U}. When it enters you create Volo's Journal, a legendary colorless Book artifact token, and for {2} and a tap you draw a card for each creature type noted. Another differently named artifact token, and cards.

Swap 10 of 14
Cutthroat Negotiator
Cut
Cutthroat Negotiator
Creature — Orc Pirate · 2UR
Inclusion16%
Synergy15%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 15
Pinnacle Emissary
Add
Pinnacle Emissary
Artifact Creature — Robot · 1UR
Inclusion32%
Synergy32%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 32

Cutthroat Negotiator is a 4/3 Orc Pirate for {2}{U}{R} that makes Treasures and gives every player a card. It is played in about one Gimbal deck in six.

Pinnacle Emissary is a 3/3 artifact creature for {1}{U}{R}. Whenever you cast an artifact spell, you create a 1/1 Drone artifact creature token with flying. An artifact creature that makes an artifact token with every artifact.

Swap 11 of 14
Everquill Phoenix
Cut
Everquill Phoenix
Creature — Phoenix · 2RR
Inclusion16%
Synergy15%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 15
Worldwalker Helm
Add
Worldwalker Helm
Artifact · 2U
Inclusion52%
Synergy50%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 51

Everquill Phoenix ({2}{R}{R}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 15 in the Oracle: it is in 16% of Gimbal decks with 15% synergy. It reads: Mutate {3}{R}. Flying. Whenever this creature mutates, create a red artifact token named Feather with "{1}, Sacrifice this token: Return target Phoenix card from your.

Worldwalker Helm ({2}{U}) scores 51: it is in 52% of Gimbal decks with 50% synergy. It reads: If you would create one or more artifact tokens, instead create those tokens plus an additional Map token. {1}{U}, {T}: Create a token that's a copy of target artifact token you control.

Swap 12 of 14
Thopter Assembly
Cut
Thopter Assembly
Artifact Creature — Thopter · 6
Inclusion16%
Synergy16%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 16
Idol of Oblivion
Add
Idol of Oblivion
Artifact · 2
Inclusion47%
Synergy45%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 46

Thopter Assembly ({6}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 16 in the Oracle: it is in 16% of Gimbal decks with 16% synergy. It reads: Flying. At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control no Thopters other than this creature, return this creature to its owner's hand and create five 1/1 colorless.

Idol of Oblivion ({2}) scores 46: it is in 47% of Gimbal decks with 45% synergy. It reads: {T}: Draw a card. Activate only if you created a token this turn. {8}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Create a 10/10 colorless Eldrazi creature token.

Swap 13 of 14
Pia and Kiran Nalaar
Cut
Pia and Kiran Nalaar
Legendary Creature — Human Artificer · 2RR
Inclusion17%
Synergy16%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 16
Cyberdrive Awakener
Add
Cyberdrive Awakener
Artifact Creature — Construct · 5U
Inclusion42%
Synergy41%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 41

Pia and Kiran Nalaar ({2}{R}{R}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 16 in the Oracle: it is in 17% of Gimbal decks with 16% synergy. It reads: When Pia and Kiran Nalaar enters, create two 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with flying.

Cyberdrive Awakener ({5}{U}) scores 41: it is in 42% of Gimbal decks with 41% synergy. It reads: Flying. Other artifact creatures you control have flying. When this creature enters, each noncreature artifact you control becomes a 4/4 artifact creature until end of turn.

Swap 14 of 14
Pain Distributor
Cut
Pain Distributor
Creature — Devil Citizen · 2R
Inclusion17%
Synergy17%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 17
Kibo, Uktabi Prince
Add
Kibo, Uktabi Prince
Legendary Creature — Monkey Noble · 2G
Inclusion36%
Synergy36%
Lift8.0×+
Oracle score 36

Pain Distributor ({2}{R}) is one of the lowest-scoring cards in the precon, at 17 in the Oracle: it is in 17% of Gimbal decks with 17% synergy. It reads: Menace. Whenever a player casts their first spell each turn, they create a Treasure token.

Kibo, Uktabi Prince ({2}{G}) scores 36: it is in 36% of Gimbal decks with 36% synergy. It reads: {T}: Each player creates a colorless artifact token named Banana with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add {R} or {G}. You gain 2 life.".

The full swap list

Cut

  • Fractured Powerstone
  • Ichor Elixir
  • Path of the Animist
  • Dance with Calamity
  • Spine of Ish Sah
  • Stroke of Genius
  • Fiery Confluence
  • Vampires' Vengeance
  • Aid from the Cowl
  • Cutthroat Negotiator
  • Everquill Phoenix
  • Thopter Assembly
  • Pia and Kiran Nalaar
  • Pain Distributor

Add

  • Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
  • Roxanne, Starfall Savant
  • Transmutation Font
  • Peregrin Took
  • Third Path Iconoclast
  • Toggo, Goblin Weaponsmith
  • Svella, Ice Shaper
  • Chrome Host Seedshark
  • Volo, Itinerant Scholar
  • Pinnacle Emissary
  • Worldwalker Helm
  • Idol of Oblivion
  • Cyberdrive Awakener
  • Kibo, Uktabi Prince

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

Tinker Time already has the Clue, Food and Treasure makers. The upgrade is cards that make a new named artifact token every turn and bodies that make artifact creatures, in place of sweepers, big spells and rocks that do nothing for the Gremlins. These fourteen swaps cost about $23 in total.

Want a full 100-card list built around Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy from today's data?

Build with The Oracle →

Frequently asked questions

What are the best upgrades for the Tinker Time precon?

Using data from 3,280 Gimbal decks, the highest-scoring additions are Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer (for Fractured Powerstone), Roxanne, Starfall Savant (for Ichor Elixir) and Transmutation Font (for Path of the Animist). The full list has 14 swaps, each scored with synergy, inclusion and lift.

How much does it cost to upgrade Tinker Time?

All 14 swaps cost about $22.69 at the cheapest paper printings (TCGplayer market prices via Scryfall, 2026-10-27). If you want to spend more, the guide also covers Mechanized Production ($2.06).

What should I cut from Tinker Time?

The weakest cards for this commander are Fractured Powerstone, Ichor Elixir and Path of the Animist. The guide explains the reason for every cut, and swaps each one for a card that scores higher.

Which cards should I keep in Tinker Time?

Keep Academy Manufactor, Thopter Spy Network, Tireless Provisioner, Curse of Opulence and Tireless Tracker. These are the cards doing the deck's heavy lifting.

What does Gimbal do?

Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy costs {2}{G}{U}{R} and is a 4/4. Artifact creatures you control have trample, and at the beginning of your end step you create a 0/0 red Gremlin artifact creature token with X +1/+1 counters on it, where X is the number of differently named artifact tokens you control. Every new kind of Clue, Food, Treasure, Blood or Powerstone token makes the Gremlin bigger.

More March of the Machine Commander upgrade guides

All precon upgrade guides

How the numbers work

Inclusion is the share of Gimbal, Gremlin Prodigy decks (3,280 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 Gimbal decks, which flatters every card the precon contains. Lift is high for many of these cards because few decks play them outside an artifact tokens 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.