Augmenting Automaton MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Released | 2017-01-20 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Aether Revolt |
| Set code | AER |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 143 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason Rainville |
Text of card
: Augmenting Automaton gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
When you have taught an automaton how to build others of its kind, it is a small step to make it build itself.
Cards like Augmenting Automaton
Augmenting Automaton serves as an intriguing utility creature in Magic: The Gathering, mirroring the flexibility of other modular artifact creatures. Comparatively, Arcbound Worker comes to mind, which also begins as a 1/1 artifact creature but with the advantage of the modular ability, allowing it to bolster another artifact creature upon its death. However, Augmenting Automaton lacks this feature but compensates with the ability to increase its power and toughness.
Crystalline Crawler is another card that shares the characteristic of being able to increase its potency, though it interacts with mana and counters instead of a straightforward pump ability. Similarly, Foundry Inspector deserves a mention for its cost-reducing ability for artifacts, which can indirectly impact the game like Augmenting Automaton’s ability to adapt on the battlefield. Neither possesses the automaton’s direct growth potential.
In looking at these alternatives, Augmenting Automaton distinguishes itself with the basic yet potent capability of scaling its power to be a more formidable blocker or attacker as needed. The combination of low initial cost and scalable threat makes Augmenting Automaton a unique choice for players looking to utilize adaptable artifact creatures in their Magic: The Gathering decks.
Cards similar to Augmenting Automaton by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Augmenting Automaton offers potential card advantage through its ability to improve its own stats without the need to commit additional cards from your hand. This can lead to a more efficient use of the cards you have, thus maintaining an edge over an opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This artifact creature is a boon for decks that focus on resource acceleration. Its low initial mana cost allows you to field a creature early while keeping your resources free for other critical plays as you progress through the game.
Instant Speed: While the Augmenting Automaton’s ability isn’t at instant speed, its nature as an artifact creature means it can be augmented at any time you could cast an instant. This gives you the flexibility to boost its power during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s actions, catching them off guard and optimizing your strategic plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Augmenting Automaton may require you to discard other cards to fully utilize its abilities, which can pose a strategic disadvantage when your hand is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost for Augmenting Automaton’s enhancement ability necessitates a precise combination of mana, potentially restricting its integration within decks that can’t consistently produce the required mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To leverage the full potential of Augmenting Automaton, a substantial mana investment is needed. When considering the overall mana curve of your deck, there might be other creatures or artifacts that offer more impact or versatility for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Augmenting Automaton offers a level of adaptability that’s rare for such a low-cost creature. It can seamlessly slot into artifact-centric or aggressive decks, providing both a resilient early game presence and late-game relevance through its scalable ability.
Combo Potential: The Automaton pairs well with cards that benefit from, or contribute to, artifact synergy. It can set off various combos or serve as an incremental tool to power up with additional mana as the game progresses, enabling a range of strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: Especially in an environment that favors artifacts or Moduler decks, having Augmenting Automaton can give players an edge. Its low cost and upgrade mechanism can be critical against decks that struggle to manage multiple threats early on.
How to Beat Augmenting Automaton
Augmenting Automaton presents as a versatile artifact creature in MTG, providing options for incremental stat growth. This adaptability challenges players to devise strategies that hinder its enhancement in-game. Tackling Augmenting Automaton effectively involves leveraging removal spells before the Automaton’s power becomes overwhelming. Early-game interactions prove crucial, as quick action using spells such as Fatal Push or Abrade can dispatch the Automaton before its buff mechanic is capitalized upon.
Interference with the opponent’s mana base can also disrupt Automaton’s efficiency, as augmenting its size demands a continual mana investment. Cards that limit the availability of mana or increase the cost of abilities, like Damping Sphere, put pressure on opponents, making it harder for them to allocate resources for the Automaton’s growth alongside deploying other threats. Resource denial is key.
Consequently, ensuring a combination of immediate removal and mana disruption should remain a priority in any strategy designed to counter Augmenting Automaton. Successfully negating its scalability not only averts potential threats from the Automaton itself but also maintains a favorable tempo, essential for triumphing over decks that deploy such mutable artifact creatures.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Augmenting Automaton MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt, 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 Augmenting Automaton and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Augmenting Automaton has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |