Brass Secretary MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Released | 1999-06-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Destiny |
| Set code | UDS |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 128 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | DiTerlizzi |
Text of card
, Sacrifice Brass Secretary: Draw a card.
The students disliked the secretary for its unfailing memory—until they discovered it couldn't dodge thrown objects.
Cards like Brass Secretary
Brass Secretary offers MTG enthusiasts a unique artifact creature dynamic, aligning itself with cards that exchange resources for card advantage. Comparable to the likes of Riddlesmith, which allows a player to draw and then discard a card when another artifact comes into play, the Secretary presents a different cost-benefit analysis. With the ability to sacrifice itself to draw a card, it offers a more definitive albeit finite result compared to Riddlesmith’s ongoing effect.
Vault Skirge also shares a resemblance in its low-cost artifact creature type but diverges with its focus on life gain and combat rather than card advantage. While the Skirge may impact the battlefield immediately with its flying and lifelink abilities, Brass Secretary’s value is realized through strategic sacrifice for card drawing. This can be particularly useful in decks that exploit graveyard mechanics or require specific card combinations.
Evaluating the Secretary amidst its counterparts, it becomes evident that it holds a specialized role. Its synergy with other artifacts and its sacrifice-for-draw ability can be pivotal in decks dedicated to assembling crucial pieces or fueling graveyard strategies, making it a nuanced but valuable choice for players looking to optimize their MTG gameplay.
Cards similar to Brass Secretary by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Brass Secretary provides a savvy way to convert unneeded cards into fresh draws, ensuring you keep the optimal hand throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: This artifact creature can be an essential gear in the machine for ramping up your mana resources. By sacrificing it, you streamline your deck’s ability to churn out bigger threats earlier in the match.
Instant Speed: Its activation ability works at lightning speed, allowing you to adapt to the ever-churning battlefield at a moment’s notice, making it a flexible tool at all game stages.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To utilize Brass Secretary’s ability, a player must discard a card, which could result in a loss of hand advantage. This requirement may not always align with your strategy, especially if your hand is already depleted or if you’re relying on specific cards to execute your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: Brass Secretary calls for a specific blend of mana to cast, which includes both generic and colored mana. This can restrict its inclusion to decks that run the necessary colors, potentially reducing its versatility across multiple archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating its casting cost alongside its utility, Brass Secretary’s mana investment might be seen as steep. In competitive play, where efficiency is key, there may be alternative cards that fulfill a similar role at a lower cost, offering players more tactical flexibility with their mana resources.
Reasons to Include Brass Secretary in Your Collection
Versatility: Brass Secretary excels in decks that thrive on card advantage, allowing players to trade the artifact creature for a new card when they have excess mana or their Secretary has outlived its usefulness on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: In decks that manipulate or benefit from artifacts, the Brass Secretary seamlessly integrates with strategies that involve sacrificing artifacts for profit, setting the stage for powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: With the fluctuating dynamics of the game, a card that can adapt to various situations like Brass Secretary can be crucial, particularly when facing decks that force you to maintain card flow to outmatch opponents’ strategies.
How to Beat
Brass Secretary presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This artifact creature shines by turning any card from your hand into a potential new draw. To outmaneuver this unassuming but resourceful opponent, savvy players need to craft their strategies thoughtfully.
Timing is key. Knock out Brass Secretary before its controller has the opportunity to utilize its ability and you cut off their card advantage. Direct removal spells like Abrupt Decay or Shatter that can bypass its ability to sacrifice itself are prime weapons in your arsenal. Alternatively, negating its activated abilities through cards like Phyrexian Revoker can render it useless, leaving it merely as a blocker on the board. Employing graveyard disruption such as Tormod’s Crypt could also stifle any strategies reliant on retrieving the Secretary or the drawn card later on.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the usage of Brass Secretary can turn this advantageous automaton into a liability for your opponent. By disrupting the flow of their card draw and using the right removal at the right time, you can ensure that this Secretary doesn’t file away your chances at victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Brass Secretary MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny, 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 Brass Secretary 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 Brass Secretary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |