Neurok Transmuter MTG Card


Neurok Transmuter offers strategic versatility in creature type manipulation, enabling complex battlefield adaptations. Its ability to transform creatures at instant speed allows for dynamic response to in-game situations. Demands careful deck integration due to specific mana costs and potential hand resource trade-off.
Neurok Transmuter - Darksteel
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Released2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameDarksteel
Set codeDST
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number27
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMark Zug

Text of card

: Target creature becomes an artifact in addition to its other types until end of turn. : Until end of turn, target artifact creature becomes blue and isn't an artifact.


Cards like Neurok Transmuter

The Neurok Transmuter card brings a unique twist to the blue faction within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other blue cards such as Padeem, Consul of Innovation in the way it interacts with artifacts, offering protection and utility. Where Neurok Transmuter stands out is in its ability to change the creature type to blue until the end of turn while also stripping them of their artifact nature.

A different card that draws a parallel is Liquimetal Coating, which turns any target permanent into an artifact in addition to its other types, and can be utilized in combination with Neurok Transmuter for interesting effects. However, it lacks the creature altering capabilities that Neurok Transmuter possesses. Then, there’s Myr Landshaper, which also has the power to turn lands into artifacts, yet it’s not as versatile as Neurok Transmuter when it comes to modifying creature attributes on the battlefield.

Deciding which card to incorporate into your deck depends on the strategy you are pursuing. Neurok Transmuter’s dual-function to both change creature types and remove artifact status in strategic scenarios gives it a substantial role in certain MTG blue decks, emphasizing flexibility and situational control.

Padeem, Consul of Innovation - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Myr Landshaper - MTG Card versions
Padeem, Consul of Innovation - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Myr Landshaper - MTG Card versions

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Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Neurok Transmuter offers strategic versatility allowing you to change the attributes of a creature on the battlefield, potentially saving key creatures from removal spells targeting specific creature types or enhancing the compatibility of a creature with other cards in play.

Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Neurok Transmuter can be a gateway to powerful synergies. Transforming a creature into an artifact can enable artifact-centric mechanics such as affinity for artifacts, which can substantially accelerate your resource development.

Instant Speed: The ability to transform creatures at instant speed gives players the upper hand, enabling them to respond to threats or opportunities at a moment’s notice. This quality allows for greater control during the game, letting players adapt to the evolving state of the match with precision.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Neurok Transmuter’s ability requires players to discard another artifact card, which could be a trade-off if your hand is full of critical components or if artifact recursion is not part of your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific combination of blue mana to play, potentially restricting its utility to decks that are heavy on blue or possess sufficient mana fixing to reliably meet its color-intensive casting cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana and an additional cost to activate its ability, Neurok Transmuter can be a costly inclusion in a deck. When evaluated against other blue creatures or artifacts that offer similar or greater utility for less mana, the Transmuter might not always make the cut in optimized lists.


Reasons to Include Neurok Transmuter in Your Collection

Versatility: Neurok Transmuter offers flexibility in deck construction. Its ability to change creatures’ types allows for strategic adjustments during a game, making it a useful tool in a variety of blue-based decks.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to turn other permanents into artifacts synergizes with mechanics that trigger upon artifact creation or deal with artifacts leaving the battlefield, setting up potential for inventive and game-changing combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifact strategies are prevalent or blue control decks are common, Neurok Transmuter can act as a crucial tactical piece, able to disrupt opponents’ plans or protect valuable assets by temporarily altering their card type.


How to beat

Neurok Transmuter is a unique blue creature with the capability to alter the essence of other creatures on the battlefield, rendering them artifact creatures while also stripping them of all other card types. Defeating this card requires a strategy to neutralize its ability or to capitalize on its weaknesses. One method, for instants, involves using removal spells that target nonartifact creatures before the Transmuter’s ability is activated, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, as once a creature is converted into an artifact, the window to use such spells narrows. Additionally, incorporating artifact removal into your deck, like Abrade or Naturalize, can clear the way by directly dealing with the transformed artifact creatures.

Moreover, cards that restrict the activation of abilities can be effective. Pithing Needle stands out as it can shut down the Transmuter’s ability entirely upon naming it. While playing against Neurok Transmuter, always assess the board state and choose the optimal moment to remove it or nullify its impact. Being vigilant and ready to disrupt your opponent’s combinations involving the card is paramount to maintaining control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Neurok Transmuter MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Neurok Transmuter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Neurok Transmuter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-12-01 Equipment that stops being an artifact loses the subtype “Equipment.” Permanents without the subtype Equipment can’t equip creatures. Of course, artifact creatures can’t equip anything either.
2004-12-01 Neurok Transmuter’s second ability interacts strangely with March of the Machines from the Mirrodin set. If an artifact is an artifact creature only because March of the Machines is on the battlefield and you then activate Neurok Transmuter’s second ability on that artifact creature, the result is a permanent with no types whatsoever. Neurok Transmuter’s ability removes the type “artifact.” March of the Machines depends on knowing what is and isn’t an artifact. The permanent won’t be an artifact when March of the Machine’s effect is applied and therefore it won’t be turned into a creature.
2004-12-01 Neurok Transmuter’s second ability removes the type “artifact” — and any artifact subtypes — from the artifact creature it targets. It doesn’t remove any other types or any subtypes of other types, and it doesn’t remove supertypes. If the artifact was legendary, it’s still legendary, and the “Legend rule” applies normally.