Improvised Weaponry MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Treasure

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage through direct damage and a Clue token for future card draw.
  2. Increases your resources, unlocking potential plays with the Treasure token addition.
  3. Its instant speed gives significant reactive control during gameplay.

Text of card

Improvised Weaponry deals 2 damage to any target. Create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.")

Anything can be a weapon if you swing it hard enough.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Improvised Weaponry is adept at pushing you ahead in resource count by inflicting direct damage to an opponent or a creature, while also providing you a Clue token, which translates into drawing a card when you need it most.

Resource Acceleration: By generating a Clue token, Improvised Weaponry goes beyond just removal. The Clue token can be cashed in for an extra card, effectively increasing your resources and potential plays for future turns.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Improvised Weaponry being an instant cannot be overstated. It allows you to react dynamically to threats or actions from your opponent, potentially removing a key creature or influencing the board at a critical moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Improvised Weaponry mandates that you discard a card, a significant drawback when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s specific mana cost requires both red and generic mana, potentially restricting it to decks that can consistently provide the necessary resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of three mana, including one red, other options in the same mana range may provide more substantial board impact or versatility in gameplay.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Improvised Weaponry offers a flexible role in decks that appreciate direct damage and resource acceleration. Cast it to remove small threats or aim it at your opponent, all the while ramping up your mana with the created Treasure token.

Combo Potential: The ability to create a Treasure token is more than meets the eye. It can kick-start combos by activating abilities that depend on artifacts or sacrifice mechanics to gain an edge over your opponent.

Meta-Relevance: Against a backdrop of creature-heavy decks, the ping effect of Improvised Weaponry is critical. It keeps you in line with the pace of the game by disrupting your opponent’s early game plays, while also advancing your mana to cast game-changing spells sooner.


How to beat

Improvised Weaponry in Magic: The Gathering poses a unique challenge with its ability to deliver direct damage and create an extra mana source through a Treasure token. To effectively counter this card, consider using spells that can neutralize it before the damage takes effect. This could include counterspells or instant-speed removal that can dispatch threats before they benefit from the added mana.

Another strategic approach is to focus on life gain or damage prevention strategies, which can help offset the impact of Improvised Weaponry’s damage. Cards with lifelink or those that can consistently increase your life total can help maintain a buffer against such direct damage spells. Similarly, deploying creatures with higher toughness than the damage output of Improvised Weaponry can ensure your board presence remains unscathed against its effect.

In summary, the key to outmaneuvering Improvised Weaponry lies in anticipation and protection, mitigating its potential damage while maintaining control of your life total. By incorporating these tactics into your deck and gameplay strategy, you can effectively neutralize the threat of this flexible damage-dealing spell.


Cards like Improvised Weaponry

Improvised Weaponry brings its own flair to the realm of direct damage spells in Magic: The Gathering. When we look at parallels, Shock immediately springs to mind, a classic that delivers 2 damage to any target for one less mana. However, Shock doesn’t have the added ability to ramp your mana like Improvised Weaponry, which creates a Treasure token on impact. This significant difference provides not just immediate damage but also future advantages.

Another card to consider alongside it is Collateral Damage, which also costs one red mana, yet requires the additional cost of sacrificing a creature. Although both cards ultimately deal similar damage, the sacrifice can be a steep price in comparison to the Treasure bonus afforded by Improvised Weaponry. Then we have Fiery Conclusion, which again deals 5 damage to a creature when you sacrifice another, putting it on a higher scale of damage output but with a more substantial cost.

While evaluating these spells, it becomes clear that Improvised Weaponry offers a unique blend of damage and resource advantage. This positions it in a favorable spot within the aggressive strategies where players benefit from both dealing damage and ramping up mana for future turns.

Shock - MTG Card versions
Collateral Damage - MTG Card versions
Fiery Conclusion - MTG Card versions
Shock - Stronghold (STH)
Collateral Damage - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Fiery Conclusion - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Improvised Weaponry by color, type and mana cost

Stone Rain - MTG Card versions
Game of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Evaporate - MTG Card versions
Steam Blast - MTG Card versions
Goblin Offensive - MTG Card versions
Desert Sandstorm - MTG Card versions
Arc Lightning - MTG Card versions
Pillage - MTG Card versions
Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions
Searing Rays - MTG Card versions
Rupture - MTG Card versions
Tundra Fumarole - MTG Card versions
Browbeat - MTG Card versions
Erratic Explosion - MTG Card versions
Threaten - MTG Card versions
Sizzle - MTG Card versions
Hammer of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Fiery Gambit - MTG Card versions
Flamebreak - MTG Card versions
Panic Attack - MTG Card versions
Stone Rain - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Game of Chaos - Ice Age (ICE)
Evaporate - Homelands (HML)
Steam Blast - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Goblin Offensive - Urza's Saga (USG)
Desert Sandstorm - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Arc Lightning - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Pillage - Arena League 2000 (PAL00)
Search for Survivors - Prophecy (PCY)
Searing Rays - Invasion (INV)
Rupture - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Tundra Fumarole - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Browbeat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Erratic Explosion - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Threaten - Tenth Edition (10E)
Sizzle - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hammer of Bogardan - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Fiery Gambit - Mirrodin (MRD)
Flamebreak - Darksteel (DST)
Panic Attack - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Improvised Weaponry MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Improvised Weaponry and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Improvised Weaponry Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Alix Branwyn.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1502015normalblackAlix Branwyn
22022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 1842015normalblackAlix Branwyn
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5582015normalblackAlix Branwyn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Improvised Weaponry has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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