Aethershield Artificer MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 2
2022-12-02 - Number 140
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dwarf Artificer |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Aethershield Artificer upgrades artifact creatures, bolstering your attack and defense without depleting your hand.
- Despite its sorcery speed, the artificer’s combat preparation solidifies strategic plays each turn.
- While mana-specific, its combo potential and meta relevance add value to artifact-themed decks.
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, target artifact creature you control gets +2/+2 and gains indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.)
Most smiths shape metal, but some prefer more delicate materials.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Aethershield Artificer doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to boost other artifact creatures you control can turn them into more formidable blockers or attackers, effectively negating your opponent’s threats while maintaining your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This artificer may not generate additional mana or treasure, but it certainly acts as a force multiplier by empowering your artifact creatures, thus accelerating your resource utility on the battlefield by making each artifact creature a more valuable asset.
Instant Speed: Aethershield Artificer operates at sorcery speed, which doesn’t grant the flexibility of instant-speed responses. However, his consistent effect at the beginning of combat on your turn can be leveraged to tactically prepare your defense or offense, essentially fortifying your strategy before the battle phase unfolds.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aethershield Artificer does not have a discard requirement, ensuring your hand remains full as you build your defenses.
Specific Mana Cost: The creature demands a specific commitment to white mana in your deck, which can limit flexibility in multi-colored deck construction and may not be optimal in mana-strained situations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including three white, Aethershield Artificer may compete for a spot in your deck with other key four-drops that offer direct board impact or more versatile abilities.
Reasons to Include Aethershield Artificer in Your Collection
Versatility: Aethershield Artificer is a solid addition to decks that synergize with the artificer or knight archetypes. Its ability to grant indestructible to artifact creatures creates resilient board states against sweepers.
Combo Potential: This card has natural synergy with artifact-heavy decks, allowing for protective combos that can safeguard key pieces from removal. The repeatable nature of its ability during each combat makes it a consistent combo enabler.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with aggressive removal, Aethershield Artificer offers a way to buffer your important creatures from destruction. It can be a strategic addition, especially in limited formats where artifacts are prevalent.
How to beat
The Aethershield Artificer is a notable card for its synergy with artifact-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to grant +2/+2 and indestructible to an artifact creature at the beginning of combat on your turn can turn the tide of battle in your favor. To counter this card effectively, focus on removing the Artificer itself. This can be accomplished with direct removal spells, such as “Murder,” which can unceremoniously dispatch the Artificer before combat or using instant-speed removal spells during your opponent’s turn but before the combat phase is declared.
Alternatively, if the Artificer has already granted indestructible to a creature for the turn, consider employing board wipes since indestructible creatures are not immune to being exiled or having their toughness reduced to zero, which circumvents the indestructible mechanic. Cards like “Settle the Wreckage” or “Wrath of God” can clear the field regardless of indestructibility. By preemptively handling the Aethershield Artificer or using strategy to bypass its defensive capabilities, you’ll dismantle your opponent’s strategy and maintain the upper hand.
Understanding when and how to deploy these counters against an Aethershield Artificer will ensure that the Artificer’s impact is minimized, keeping the field leveled and the game within your grasp.
Cards like Aethershield Artificer
Aethershield Artificer stands out in the Magic: The Gathering world offering a unique blend of defense and enhancement for artifact creatures. When compared to cards like Armory Automaton, which similarly interacts with artifacts, Aethershield Artificer offers a defensive boon by giving a creature indestructible until end of turn, rather than the Automaton’s ability to equip multiple artifact equipment upon entering the battlefield or attacking.
Another card worth mentioning is Foundry Inspector, which provides a cost reduction for artifact spells. While the Inspector accelerates the casting of artifacts, it doesn’t offer the same kind of protective measures that Aethershield Artificer does for keeping key creatures on the board. Weaver of Lightning is also a related card, interacting with instants and sorceries rather than with artifacts directly, and providing an offensive capability by dealing damage, in contrast to Aethershield Artificer’s defensive stance.
Each of these cards caters to different styles within artifact-focused decks. Still, Aethershield Artificer’s ability to fortify your board position every turn carves a distinct niche, particularly for players who value resilience and durability in their artifact creatures.
Cards similar to Aethershield Artificer by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aethershield Artificer MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Aethershield Artificer and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Aethershield Artificer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Izzy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 2 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 140 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aethershield Artificer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
