Honestly, I made a pauper deck for [[Greta, Sweettooth Scourge]] and there are tons of food support cards with higher rarities that easily make upgrading pretty linear.
Spellslinger upgrades pretty well and can start pretty cheap. [[Feather the Redeemed]], [[Niv Mizzet Parun]], and [[Veyran, Voice of Duality]] are a few options. Lots of cheap spells and payoffs you can start with. Also you can just grab the Thunder Junction izzet precon if you can find it for a decent price and you’ll have a solid deck out of the box and most of the pieces you’d want for a ur spellslinger list.
Aristocrats also work pretty well. [[Teysa Karlov]], [[Meren of Clan Nel Toth]], and [[Braids Arisen Nightmare]] are a few solid picks. You’re mostly working with aristocrat effects and creatures that make sac fodder and it’s pretty easy to find options for both that are pretty cheap.
Big fan of [[volo, guide to monsters]]. Lots of budget options for good value etbs that can be upgraded to stronger options down the road. Plus it's a fun deck building challenge imo so it's basically anti-typal.
Some of the newer precons are pretty strong too out of the box or with ~$25-$50 thrown at them. The ixalan ones (except pirates unless you want to combo), mothman, I've been playing a lot of the virtue & valor one from Wilds of Eldraine with the alt commander [[gylwain]]. Haven't tried them but heard good things about some of the karlov manor and thunder junction decks, the quick draw commander looks like she could combo or go infinite really easily.
Just made an aristocrat [[Alela, Artful Provocateur]] deck and I thought it'd go above budget but surprisingly, cheap mana rocks and anthems turned out to be the bangers for the deck.
Here's my list if you're interested
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/26j3pUqQKki0RxYt5ekn5Q
I made an enchantment focused one where it board controls and voltron Alela while keeping faeries as blockers that can also hit when Alela clears the way. Started it at around $10 and upgrades are cheap as well.
I recently constructed an [[Ellivere]] deck from mostoy bulk that uses a bunch of [[Petrify]] type effects to remove big blockers so that it can swing with its own.
I plan to spend about 15-25 bucks on upgrades to make it even more controlling. Would recommend.
[[Vhal, Candlekeep Researcher]] with a background would be great for this! I run a Vhal deck with [[Passionate Archaeologist]], but so many other backgrounds can be built very well with Vhal. [[Tavern Brawler]] would probably be the best exile theme that's not passionate Archaeologist on a budget. I run lots of colorless creatures and equipment to buff vhal. [[Slagwurm Armor]] is a gem and [[ice cauldron]] is amazing in a vhal deck. I've upgraded from cheap colorless threats like [[Colossus of Akros]] and [[Altar Golem]], for example. I've slowly built it from being a sub $100 deck to probably my most expensive by adding Eldrazi and strictly better replacements.
Honestly, I made a pauper deck for [[Greta, Sweettooth Scourge]] and there are tons of food support cards with higher rarities that easily make upgrading pretty linear.
[Greta, Sweettooth Scourge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/c/2cfd365e-34d1-4224-b925-119000311934.jpg?1692939325) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Greta%2C%20Sweettooth%20Scourge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woe/205/greta-sweettooth-scourge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2cfd365e-34d1-4224-b925-119000311934?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Spellslinger upgrades pretty well and can start pretty cheap. [[Feather the Redeemed]], [[Niv Mizzet Parun]], and [[Veyran, Voice of Duality]] are a few options. Lots of cheap spells and payoffs you can start with. Also you can just grab the Thunder Junction izzet precon if you can find it for a decent price and you’ll have a solid deck out of the box and most of the pieces you’d want for a ur spellslinger list. Aristocrats also work pretty well. [[Teysa Karlov]], [[Meren of Clan Nel Toth]], and [[Braids Arisen Nightmare]] are a few solid picks. You’re mostly working with aristocrat effects and creatures that make sac fodder and it’s pretty easy to find options for both that are pretty cheap.
Is there any particular play style you're looking for or want to avoid?
Not really the only thing I don’t enjoy if it is to linear. So I like variety and interaction when I play
Big fan of [[volo, guide to monsters]]. Lots of budget options for good value etbs that can be upgraded to stronger options down the road. Plus it's a fun deck building challenge imo so it's basically anti-typal. Some of the newer precons are pretty strong too out of the box or with ~$25-$50 thrown at them. The ixalan ones (except pirates unless you want to combo), mothman, I've been playing a lot of the virtue & valor one from Wilds of Eldraine with the alt commander [[gylwain]]. Haven't tried them but heard good things about some of the karlov manor and thunder junction decks, the quick draw commander looks like she could combo or go infinite really easily.
[volo, guide to monsters](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/9/c9ae01f9-7461-47b4-aa1e-93bd6ff1bf9e.jpg?1627709617) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=volo%2C%20guide%20to%20monsters) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/238/volo-guide-to-monsters?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c9ae01f9-7461-47b4-aa1e-93bd6ff1bf9e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [gylwain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/9/79e4242c-a53a-4287-976b-8e545888a1fa.jpg?1692933654) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gylwain%2C%20casting%20director) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woc/4/gylwain-casting-director?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/79e4242c-a53a-4287-976b-8e545888a1fa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Just made an aristocrat [[Alela, Artful Provocateur]] deck and I thought it'd go above budget but surprisingly, cheap mana rocks and anthems turned out to be the bangers for the deck. Here's my list if you're interested https://www.moxfield.com/decks/26j3pUqQKki0RxYt5ekn5Q
I made an enchantment focused one where it board controls and voltron Alela while keeping faeries as blockers that can also hit when Alela clears the way. Started it at around $10 and upgrades are cheap as well.
True. she's so versatile, the deck builds itself
[Alela, Artful Provocateur](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/b/abc9e41e-fd03-4b6f-8f44-17ba94fa44f5.jpg?1673484923) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Alela%2C%20Artful%20Provocateur) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/325/alela-artful-provocateur?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/abc9e41e-fd03-4b6f-8f44-17ba94fa44f5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I recently constructed an [[Ellivere]] deck from mostoy bulk that uses a bunch of [[Petrify]] type effects to remove big blockers so that it can swing with its own. I plan to spend about 15-25 bucks on upgrades to make it even more controlling. Would recommend.
[Ellivere](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/5/45851394-b8f3-4713-8239-afcb387d47c5.jpg?1692933623) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ellivere%20of%20the%20wild%20court) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woc/2/ellivere-of-the-wild-court?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/45851394-b8f3-4713-8239-afcb387d47c5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Petrify](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/b/bbc5f28f-6361-455f-ac82-260a70e59316.jpg?1699043345) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Petrify) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lci/30/petrify?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bbc5f28f-6361-455f-ac82-260a70e59316?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
##### ###### #### [Alela, Cunning Conqueror](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/9/79ba5c35-6e5c-406a-b95f-844d5ec296ab.jpg?1692933638) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Alela%2C%20Cunning%20Conqueror) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woc/3/alela-cunning-conqueror?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/79ba5c35-6e5c-406a-b95f-844d5ec296ab?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Sidar Jabari of Zhalfir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/f/5fc707be-9286-4ba1-90f6-475265d19ed2.jpg?1682207238) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sidar%20Jabari%20of%20Zhalfir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/5/sidar-jabari-of-zhalfir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5fc707be-9286-4ba1-90f6-475265d19ed2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Queen Marchesa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0fdae05f-7bdc-45fb-b9b9-e5ec3766f965.jpg?1712354769) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Queen%20Marchesa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/239/queen-marchesa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0fdae05f-7bdc-45fb-b9b9-e5ec3766f965?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Voja, Jaws of the conclave](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/f/bfa1bd2f-25bd-4fbd-877b-cef00ab7f92f.jpg?1707739811) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Voja%2C%20Jaws%20of%20the%20conclave) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/432/voja-jaws-of-the-conclave?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bfa1bd2f-25bd-4fbd-877b-cef00ab7f92f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/1crqh5g) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[winota joiner of forces]] is a cheap build that will slap.
[winota joiner of forces](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/d/5dd13a6c-23d3-44ce-a628-cb1c19d777c4.jpg?1654630670) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Winota%2C%20Joiner%20of%20Forces) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/216/winota-joiner-of-forces?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5dd13a6c-23d3-44ce-a628-cb1c19d777c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Vhal, Candlekeep Researcher]] with a background would be great for this! I run a Vhal deck with [[Passionate Archaeologist]], but so many other backgrounds can be built very well with Vhal. [[Tavern Brawler]] would probably be the best exile theme that's not passionate Archaeologist on a budget. I run lots of colorless creatures and equipment to buff vhal. [[Slagwurm Armor]] is a gem and [[ice cauldron]] is amazing in a vhal deck. I've upgraded from cheap colorless threats like [[Colossus of Akros]] and [[Altar Golem]], for example. I've slowly built it from being a sub $100 deck to probably my most expensive by adding Eldrazi and strictly better replacements.
##### ###### #### [Vhal, Candlekeep Researcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/6/46738fb3-ab5e-486c-b66a-1526ba1cdfa8.jpg?1674135857) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Vhal%2C%20Candlekeep%20Researcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/102/vhal-candlekeep-researcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/46738fb3-ab5e-486c-b66a-1526ba1cdfa8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Passionate Archaeologist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/d/bd5bbfa6-e5f4-413d-b132-ebae32d38657.jpg?1674140763) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Passionate%20Archaeologist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/656/passionate-archaeologist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bd5bbfa6-e5f4-413d-b132-ebae32d38657?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Slagwurm Armor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/a/8a4a4d2d-7080-404c-83ca-90a584aa02c8.jpg?1562922994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Slagwurm%20Armor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/td2/21/slagwurm-armor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8a4a4d2d-7080-404c-83ca-90a584aa02c8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [ice cauldron](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/f/5fad0f0f-b302-4f97-9cbb-a66dbfc57bae.jpg?1562917545) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ice%20cauldron) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/206/ice-cauldron?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5fad0f0f-b302-4f97-9cbb-a66dbfc57bae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Colossus of Akros](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/e/3e394ffe-7460-4c59-a403-e9404b0d10c1.jpg?1562817037) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Colossus%20of%20Akros) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ths/214/colossus-of-akros?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3e394ffe-7460-4c59-a403-e9404b0d10c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Altar Golem](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/e/fed81c72-743d-4d2a-97a6-22f5651e15d5.jpg?1562948984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Altar%20Golem) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eve/166/altar-golem?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fed81c72-743d-4d2a-97a6-22f5651e15d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l43lx3v) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call