In EDH, Counters and Artifacts are two of the most popular themes that players love building around. Both archetypes can be incredibly powerful, and there are tons of different ways to take them. Whether you’re building around Charge Counters, +1/+1 Counters, or the Modular mechanic, there’s a good amount of overlap, too.
Thankfully, for fans of these styles of decks, the upcoming TMNT MTG set has already showcased some flavorful potential upgrades. Among them is Donatello, Mutant Mechanic, whose combination of abilities enables some sweet combo wins centered around charge counters.
MTG Donatello, Mutant Mechanic
At a baseline, the goal with Donatello at the helm is to incorporate a high density of cheap artifacts that you can add +1/+1 counters to. Being able to add three +1/+1 counters every single turn to one of your artifacts is no joke, especially because this ability requires no mana investment. On top of that, Donatello’s final ability makes trying to kill your artifact creatures on a one-for-one basis a nightmare for your opponents.
To get the most out of Donatello, there are a bunch of artifact creatures that naturally make for elite inclusions. Hangarback Walker and Marketback Walker are premium examples of strong cards to dump +1/+1 counters onto, since they pay you back when they die. Higher up the curve, Threefold Thunderhulk can provide a ton of extra value from each attack as you grow it larger and larger.
To kick things up a notch, numerous cards let you distribute +1/+1 counters at a faster rate. With Illusionist’s Bracers equipped to Donatello, you’ll get to add double the number of +1/+1 counters to your artifacts per activation. Once you add Freed from the Real or Pemmin’s Aura into the equation, you’ll quickly be able to amass an army of huge artifacts.
From there, you can take further advantage of Donatello’s final trigger by utilizing sacrifice outlets. Cards like Krark-Clan Ironworks and Arcbound Ravager help you get immediate value out of your artifacts with death triggers. Meanwhile, Donatello ensures that all of those counters can be put to good use. Sacrifice outlets also do a good job negating the effect exile-based removal spells like Swords to Plowshares will have on your gameplan.
Abusing Charge Counters
Interestingly, while Donatello’s triggered ability synergizes perfectly with +1/+1 counters, it actually enables you to move any type of counter from one artifact to another. This clause opens the door for lots of charge counter shenanigans.
Spacecraft like Uthros Research Craft and Dawnsire, Sunstar Dreadnought, for instance, encourage you to put a bunch of charge counters on them via Station. Charging them up via Station shouldn’t take too long with Donatello continuously buffing your squad. Then, if the Spacecraft go to your graveyard, you have the luxury of moving all of those charge counters onto another artifact of your choice. Getting to shove a ton of charge counters onto Orochi Hatchery or Astral Cornucopia is a huge luxury.
Donatello’s triggered ability even opens the door for some absurd plays and combo kills. After getting 20 or more charge counters on any of your Spacecraft, sacrificing that artifact and putting all of those counters onto Darksteel Reactor will win you the game on the spot. Similarly, just casting Eternity Vessel with a high enough life total and then sacrificing it can accomplish the same task.
Alternatively, moving charge counters onto Magistrate’s Scepter should give you a boatload of extra turns, making it trivial to end games. You can even take infinite turns by pairing Donatello with Moxite Refinery. Each time you tap Donatello and put three +1/+1 counters on an artifact, you can then use Moxite Refinery to remove those counters and put three charge counters on Magistrate’s Scepter.
Donatello, Mutant Mechanic in the 99
Beyond his power as a Commander, Donatello, Mutant Mechanic also fits nicely into the 99 of a handful of different shells. Any Commander that incentivizes a +1/+1 counter theme can make great use of Donatello, so long as you have enough artifacts to target.
Jetfire, Ingenious Scientist is among the strongest, letting you convert excess +1/+1 counters into mana. Meanwhile, Donatello’s ability to pump your artifact creatures makes Aloy, Savior of Meridian‘s trigger more impactful. Even in a Ramos, Dragon Engine shell without many artifacts in the 99, a single Donatello activation targeting Ramos gets you three-fifths of the way to getting your mana reward.
Ultimately, Donatello looks like one of the stronger mythics from TMNT MTG and an elite addition to the Commander format. We look forward to seeing all the different ways players can maximize him when the set finally releases.
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