Complex Automaton MTG Card

Enhances card advantage and inventory through artifact synergy, offering deck sifting and flexible play options. Can accelerate resources in artifact-focused decks, enabling swifter plays and interaction with untapping mechanics. Offers the strategic benefit of instant speed abilities, increasing unpredictability and response during opponent turns.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Released	2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set name	Nemesis
Set code	NEM
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	128
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dana Knutson

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control seven or more permanents, return Complex Automaton to its owner's hand.

"This wasteful design cannot possibly be Phyrexian." —Belbe

Cards like Complex Automaton

The Complex Automaton card offers a unique dynamic to the world of MTG artifacts. Its nearest relatives on the battlefield include Solemn Simulacrum, which similarly provides a way to ramp up one’s mana base and draw a card when it leaves the battlefield. However, the Complex Automaton brings a twist with its modular ability, accumulating counters and transferring them upon death.

Other cards like Arcbound Ravager share the modular mechanic, but Arcbound Ravager focuses on sacrificing other artifacts to grow its power. Whereas Arcbound Ravager thrives in a deck filled with expendable artifacts, Complex Automaton requires a more nuanced strategy, encouraging gameplay that leverages its counter-transfer capabilities. Walking Ballista, also in the same category, uses counters but designed for direct damage.

While each artifact comes with its strengths, it becomes evident that Complex Automaton serves players who enjoy building on interactions between permanents and maximizing value over the course of a match. It stands out in decks that capitalize on counters and offers new angles for classic artifact play.

Cards similar to Complex Automaton by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Complex Automaton can play a pivotal role in deck mechanics that revolve around artifact synergy, potentially allowing you to manipulate your card advantage effectively. Its unique abilities may let you sift through your deck faster, keeping your hand replenished with options as you play.

Resource Acceleration: This card might provide a significant boost in resource acceleration, especially in artifact-centric decks. Being an artifact itself, it could interact with other cards that untap artifacts or utilize them for generating additional mana or effects, speeding up your gameplay and enabling bigger plays sooner.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate certain abilities of Complex Automaton at instant speed offers valuable flexibility. This allows you to adapt to the board state during your opponent’s turn, making it more difficult for them to predict your moves and plan their strategy accordingly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To harness Complex Automaton’s abilities, players must discard another card. This can lead to strategic disadvantages, especially in situations where maintaining hand advantage is critical to your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Players interested in deploying Complex Automaton need to meet a certain mana arrangement, potentially restricting its integration in a wide array of decks. As decks diversify, having a mana cost that is overly specific can limit the card’s versatility and playability across multiple builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to bring Complex Automaton into play is significant when compared to other creatures or artifacts that might perform similar or better functions. Players often weigh mana efficiency heavily when selecting cards for their decks, making the high cost a noticeable drawback in competitive gaming situations.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Complex Automaton seamlessly integrates into a multitude of deck styles, proving its adaptability. Its nature as a modular artifact creature allows for various uses, from incrementing counters for aggressive strategies to acting as a sturdy blocker in a pinch.

Combo Potential: This card can become a key piece in intricate combos. Its ability to accrue counters and interact with other counter-based cards can unlock potential for big plays, setting the stage for a game-winning move.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where artifact and modular strategies are popular, Complex Automaton stands out as a card that can capitalize on the synergy within such decks. It’s particularly adept at holding its own against an array of current meta contenders.

How to Beat

Complex Automaton brings a unique twist to gameplay in the realm of artifact creatures. Understanding its mechanics is crucial for strategizing an effective counter. This card demands a proactive approach due to its ability to become unblockable, making traditional blocking strategies ineffectual.

One of the most effective techniques to overcome the Complex Automaton is through direct removal spells that bypass its unblockable nature. Spells like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can directly target and eliminate it from the match without requiring a blocked combat. Additionally, taking advantage of spells that force the player to sacrifice a creature can also circumvent its unblockable ability, such as Diabolic Edict. It’s also beneficial to control the board and keep the Automaton from activating its unblockable ability, using counter spells such as Cancel or Negate when the opponent attempts to initiate this ability. Artifact disruption also plays a key role, with cards like Shatter or Naturalize offering quick and efficient ways to remove the threat.

When facing an opponent wielding the Complex Automaton, remember to prioritize its removal or disable its abilities to mitigate the risk it poses to your strategy. A focused sideboard and keen awareness of the artifact’s capabilities are essential to secure victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Complex Automaton MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Complex Automaton and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Complex Automaton has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal