Adaptive Automaton MTG Card


Enhances tribal creature powers, turning one card into a significant battlefield presence multiplier. Contributes to quicker victories by indirectly accelerating the path towards winning conditions. Integrates into any tribal strategy, adaptable during any game stage for an immediate advantage.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

As Adaptive Automaton enters the battlefield, choose a creature type. Adaptive Automaton is the chosen type in addition to its other types. Other creatures you control of the chosen type get +1/+1.

Such loyalty can only be made.


Cards like Adaptive Automaton

Adaptive Automaton offers MTG deck builders a versatile tool, similar in effect to cards like Brass Herald and Metallic Mimic. It excels in tribal decks, where choosing the right creature type can significantly amplify your board presence. Brass Herald increases the strength of your creatures and helps dig your library for more tribal members. However, unlike the instantaneous boost from Adaptive Automaton, Brass Herald’s impact comes a tad later as you need to cast it and then search your library.

Metallic Mimic is another card that stands shoulder to shoulder with Adaptive Automaton, giving a +1/+1 counter to each creature of the chosen type that enters the battlefield after it. However, while Metallic Mimic’s benefit is limited to future creatures, Adaptive Automaton immediately enhances all creatures of the selected type currently on the field. Additionally, it offers the flexibility to adapt to any creature type, which can be pivotal in diverse tribal strategies.

Analyzing these cards closely, it’s evident that Adaptive Automaton’s instant global boost and type adaptability give it a significant edge in various tribal synergies, marking its importance in MTG strategies revolving around creature-type enhancements.

Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Adaptive Automaton by color, type and mana cost

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Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Adaptive Automaton. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic TempoSimic Tempo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 10 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Adaptive Automaton is a welcome sight in any tribal deck, granting buffs to other creatures sharing its chosen type. This kind of synergy can convert one card into a massive force multiplier on the battlefield, effectively expanding your board presence beyond the individual card played.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Adaptive Automaton’s ability to enhance your creatures can lead to quicker victories. Those increased stats mean securing board control sooner, which is a form of indirect acceleration toward your win condition.

Instant Speed: Though Adaptive Automaton itself isn’t an instant, its ability to fit into nearly any tribal strategy makes it a supremely adaptable tool at any point in the game. It instantly recognizes the dominant creature type on the field, seamlessly integrating and escalating your strategic advantage the moment it enters the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect of Adaptive Automaton that may not always align with a player’s strategy is the potential need to discard other essential cards to make room for this creature on the battlefield. Letting go of valuable cards to accommodate its place in a deck can sometimes backfire, especially in close contests where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Adaptive Automaton requires a precise mana cost of three, including two generic and one colorless, which can be restrictive in multicolored or heavily themed decks. This can pose a limitation for players looking to maintain a stringent mana curve or needing to reserve their colorless mana for other pivotal plays throughout the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for an effect that benefits only creatures of the chosen type, some players might find the investment steep. Especially when considering that there are other creatures or artifacts in the game which offer tribal enhancements at a lower cost or with additional benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Adaptive Automaton can be seamlessly integrated into any tribal deck. Its ability to choose a creature type when it comes into play means it can support and enhance the synergy of creatures no matter the tribe, be it Elves, Goblins, or Merfolk.

Combo Potential: This card serves as an excellent combo piece. In conjunction with other tribal support cards, Adaptive Automaton can quickly amplify the power and toughness of your creatures, potentially turning an unassuming board into a lethal force.

Meta-Relevance: Tribal decks frequently cycle through the meta and can often be a powerhouse in game formats like Commander or Modern. Having Adaptive Automaton in your collection ensures you’ve got a versatile tool that adjusts to various competitive environments, ready to elevate your tribal strategy regardless of which type is in vogue.


How to beat

Adaptive Automaton, as its name suggests, is a chameleon in the realm of artifact creatures. Highly prized for its versatility, it seamlessly integrates into any tribal deck. Given that it can adopt any creature type, it not only becomes a cog in the tribal synergy but also benefits from other cards that pump up those creatures. Its mere presence can tip the scales, making it seem daunting to counter.

To dismantle the advantages provided by Adaptive Automaton, one must disrupt the tribal strategy it empowers. This can be done through removal spells that can bypass its creature type, such as Unmake or Oblivion Ring that can exile without targeting a specific creature type. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation also prove effective as they clear the board regardless of creature types. To prevent it from landing on the battlefield altogether, counterspells or hand disruption tactics could be critical. Cards like Thoughtseize or Counterspell can ensure that Adaptive Automaton never gets a chance to unveil its potential.

Combating Adaptive Automaton requires strategic anticipation and reactive measures. While it can bolster a tribal army, adept deck building and choice card plays can prevent it from becoming an insurmountable threat in your MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the dynamic world of MTG and uncover the full potential of Adaptive Automaton in your tribal decks. Enhancing your creature types and bolstering your board presence can be the difference between victory and defeat. Whether you’re tweaking your deck for casual play or competitive tournaments, understanding how to integrate versatile artifacts like Adaptive Automaton could be the key to your triumph. Expand your strategy and refine your deck construction with insights and tips from fellow enthusiasts. Embrace the meta, master your matchups, and ensure your collection is armed and ready for any challenge. Elevate your game with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Adaptive Automaton MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Explorers of Ixalan, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Adaptive Automaton and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Adaptive Automaton Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-07-15Magic 2012M12 2012003NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22017-11-24Explorers of IxalanE02 422015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11092015NormalBorderlessJack Hughes
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2312015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
52022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 11997NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
62022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 641997NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
72022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 64z1997NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Adaptive Automaton has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Adaptive Automaton card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-08-07 Even though Adaptive Automaton is a Construct, other Construct creatures you control won't get +1/+1 unless you chose Construct as Adaptive Automaton entered the battlefield.
2020-08-07 The choice of creature type is made as Adaptive Automaton enters the battlefield. Players can't take any actions between the time the choice is made and the time the appropriate creatures begin to get +1/+1.
2020-08-07 You must choose an existing creature type, such as Human or Warrior. Card types such as artifact and supertypes such as legendary can't be chosen.