Aeolipile MTG Card

Aeolipile disrupts opponents by removing creatures or deterring attacks with its damage ability. Quick deployment enhances tempo but requires artifact sacrifice for its instant speed damage. While versatile in certain decks, its efficiency is debated against other damage-dealing artifacts.

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 81

Aeolipile - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)

Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
1996-05-02 - Number ml81sb

Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
1996-05-02 - Number pp81

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 202

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Text of card

o1, oc T: Sacrifice Aeolipile to have it deal 2 damage to any target.

"Although fragile, the Aeolipile could be quite destructive." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. I*

Cards like Aeolipile

Aeolipile stands out in the artifact spectrum of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent in purpose to the classic card, Rod of Ruin. Both cards offer repeatable direct damage to creatures or players. Aeolipile, however, requires an upfront mana payment and sacrifice to deal its 2 damage. Rod of Ruin, while requiring mana to activate, doesn’t necessitate a sacrifice, allowing for prolonged use over multiple turns.

In a similar category, we can look at Pyrite Spellbomb. It also offers a one-time damage effect, capable of dealing 2 damage to any target. The flexibility of Pyrite Spellbomb shines through with its additional option to draw a card by sacrificing it. This multi-modal feature is absent in Aeolipile, which strictly serves as a damage dealer.

In conclusion, while Aeolipile provides a decent damage output, its place in decks is weighed against other artifacts with similar effects that offer greater flexibility or reuse potential. The choice to include Aeolipile in your deck will depend on the strategy and the value placed on its immediate impact versus the long-term benefits of alternative cards.

Cards similar to Aeolipile by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite not directly allowing you to draw cards, Aeolipile offers repeatable damage that can eliminate smaller creatures or finish off weakened ones. This continuous threat means it can clear a path for your own creatures to attack or ensure your opponent’s board does not get too overwhelming, essentially maintaining the equilibrium of board presence.

Resource Acceleration: As a two-mana artifact, Aeolipile slips onto the battlefield quickly and can be activated the same turn with another mana open. This immediacy aligns well with strategies focusing on tempo and resource acceleration, as it doesn’t demand heavy investment for its utility.

Instant Speed: Aeolipile’s ability to deal damage is activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s moves during their turn. This versatility enhances your reactive capabilities and can be a strategic advantage, whether you’re fending off an offensive creature or responding to an end-of-turn scenario.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Aeolipile demands you sacrifice an artifact as part of its activation. This could strain your resources, particularly if artifacts are central to your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Aeolipile’s activation cost requires generic mana, which might not directly tax any particular color, but it still can be cumbersome when you’re tapped out from playing more crucial spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Aeolipile’s initial casting cost isn’t exorbitant, the total investment to use its ability can pile up over the course of a game. Two mana to deal one damage can feel inefficient next to other damage-dealing options in the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Aeolipile offers adaptability to a variety of deck frameworks, particularly those that hinge on direct damage or artifact synergies. This flexibility can be a significant advantage during gameplay.

Combo Potential: Its capacity to deal damage at instant speed couples well with various strategies, enhancing decks that capitalize on damage-based triggers or those that dismantle creature-based plays of opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In evolving game environments where small creatures and utility artifacts are prevalent, Aeolipile’s ability to remove key components can be critical, ensuring it remains a relevant tool in numerous competitive formats.

How to beat

The Aeolipile is an older artifact card that might catch some players off guard in MTG games. Its ability to deal damage can be circumvented with proper planning and strategies. The key to outplaying this card lies in understanding both the tempo it requires and how it can affect the battlefield.

Handling Aeolipile effectively often involves the use of disruption spells that can neutralize artifacts or employing a faster aggro deck that outpaces the opponent’s ability to utilize the Aeolipile’s tap ability. Cards with the prowess to negate activations or destroy artifacts, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, can provide a straightforward solution to the Aeolipile challenge. Additionally, creatures with hexproof or shroud protect themselves from its targeted ability, and maintaining a wide board presence diminishes the impact of the single-target damage Aeolipile offers.

Ultimately, like many cards in Magic: The Gathering, a thorough understanding of your opponent’s strategy and maintaining tactical flexibility in your deck building are your best assets when facing down cards such as Aeolipile. Staying one step ahead with efficient responses ensures that this particular artifact won’t disrupt your path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aeolipile MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Aeolipile and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aeolipile Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	81	1993	Normal	Black	Heather Hudson
2	1996-05-02	Pro Tour Collector Set	PTC	ml81sb	1993	Normal	Gold	Heather Hudson
3	1996-05-02	Pro Tour Collector Set	PTC	pp81	1993	Normal	Gold	Heather Hudson
4	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2	202	1997	Normal	Black	Heather Hudson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aeolipile has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal