Paradox Academy
Also known as: Academy Combo
Paradox Academy is an artifact combo deck named after Paradox Engine and Tolarian Academy. The general gameplan is to quickly play out a hand of cheap artifacts and then break parity with your opponent in mana, cards, or both. The titular Tolarian Academy is the most common way to gain a mana advantage, while card advantage can come from engines like The One Ring, draw spells like Time Spiral, or unique effects like Balance.
There are numerous ways to win after establishing mana and card advantage over your opponent. Paradox Engine is a common win condition enabled by a draw engine, a few mana rocks, and something to start an infinite loop such as Capsize or Rings of Brighthearth.
The points are flexible, with Tolarian Academy being the only mandatory card.
Example Decklist
Paradox Academy
By: criime
Event: Cantrip Cards and Games Weekly - 1st
Date: 2026-05-12
Points (10): Sol Ring (3), Tinker (3), Mana Vault (1), The One Ring (1), Tolarian Academy (1), Urza's Saga (1)
Planeswalkers (5)
- 1Narset, Parter of Veils
- 1Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
- 1Teferi, Time Raveler
- 1Tezzeret, Cruel Captain
- 1Tezzeret the Seeker
Creatures (8)
- 1Walking Ballista
- 1Forensic Gadgeteer
- 1Hullbreacher
- 1Trinket Mage
- 1Phyrexian Metamorph
- 1Sowing Mycospawn
- 1Urza, Lord High Artificer
- 1Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
Sorceries (13)
- 1Ponder
- 1Sylvan Scrying
- 1Transmute Artifact
- 1Fabricate
- 1Search for Glory
- 1Stock Up
- 1Timetwister
- 1Tinker
- 1Wargate
- 1Wheel of Fortune
- 1Escape to the Wilds
- 1Echo of Eons
- 1Time Spiral
Instants (7)
- 1Brainstorm
- 1Crop Rotation
- 1Veil of Summer
- 1Capsize
- 1Frantic Search
- 1Whir of Invention
- 1Sail into the West
Artifacts (35)
- 1Everflowing Chalice
- 1Lotus Petal
- 1Mox Diamond
- 1Mox Opal
- 1Candelabra of Tawnos
- 1Dusk Rose Reliquary
- 1Expedition Map
- 1Grafdigger's Cage
- 1Mana Vault
- 1Manifold Key
- 1Portable Hole
- 1Retrofitter Foundry
- 1Sensei's Divining Top
- 1Sol Ring
- 1Soul-Guide Lantern
- 1Voltaic Key
- 1Azorius Signet
- 1Defense Grid
- 1Grim Monolith
- 1Izzet Signet
- 1Simic Signet
- 1Talisman of Creativity
- 1Talisman of Curiosity
- 1Talisman of Dominance
- 1Talisman of Progress
- 1Talisman of Unity
- 1Basalt Monolith
- 1Ensnaring Bridge
- 1Rings of Brighthearth
- 1Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass
- 1Mystic Forge
- 1The One Ring
- 1Memory Jar
- 1Paradox Engine
- 1Chromatic Orrery
Lands (32)
- 1Abstergo Entertainment
- 1Ancient Den
- 1Boseiju, Who Endures
- 1City of Traitors
- 1Darksteel Citadel
- 1Deserted Temple
- 1Flooded Strand
- 1Fomori Vault
- 1Glimmervoid
- 1Great Furnace
- 1Inventors' Fair
- 1Island
- 1Minamo, School at Water's Edge
- 1Mishra's Workshop
- 1Mistrise Village
- 1Misty Rainforest
- 1Otawara, Soaring City
- 1Polluted Delta
- 1Scalding Tarn
- 1Seat of the Synod
- 1Spire of Industry
- 1Talon Gates of Madara
- 1Tanglepool Bridge
- 1Tolaria West
- 1Tolarian Academy
- 1Treasure Vault
- 1Tree of Tales
- 1Tropical Island
- 1Tundra
- 1Urza's Cave
- 1Urza's Saga
- 1Volcanic Island
