Dispersal Technician MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 32
2020-09-26 - Number AER-32
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken Artificer |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Dispersal Technician enters the battlefield, you may return target artifact to its owner's hand.
As renegade forces closed in on the Aether Spire, Consulate blockades failed one by one.
Cards like Dispersal Technician
Dispersal Technician stands out within MTG’s array of artifact interaction cards. Its closest kin would be cards like Manic Vandal and Reclamation Sage. Much like Dispersal Technician, these cards allow you to remove an opponent’s artifact or enchantment upon entering the battlefield. The Technician offers flexibility, targeting specifically artifacts, which can be crucial in artifact-heavy games.
However, where Dispersal Technician diverges is in its flying ability, granting it a defensive and offensive edge by taking to the skies – a trait not seen in the aforementioned cards. Another comparison could be drawn to Ainok Survivalist, which not only malfunctions an artifact or enchantment but also comes with the Megamorph feature, allowing for a surprise flip and strength boost. Yet, even with these advantages, Dispersal Technician remains a unique fixture for its evasive capabilities.
Each of these cards carries its own strategic merit. While Dispersal Technician may not have the inherent surprise of Megamorph or the broad targeting of Reclamation Sage, its ability to fly over the battlefield gives it a distinctive role, particularly in decks focusing on controlling the aerial zone and disrupting enemy artifacts.
Cards similar to Dispersal Technician by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dispersal Technician allows you to return a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand which can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and potentially lead to gaining card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This card, when combined with other cards that trigger upon casting a blue spell or an artifact entering the battlefield, can serve as a catalyst for resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The ability to utilize Dispersal Technician at instant speed gives you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves during their turn, making it a strategic tool for controlling the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Dispersal Technician is the requirement to discard a card to activate its ability. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially if their hand is already dwindling and every card is vital for maintaining their strategy on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Dispersal Technician involves blue mana, which means it’s primarily designated for blue-themed decks. Players running multi-colored or colorless decks might struggle with including this card in their line-up without appropriate mana support.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is considered high for its effect, Dispersal Technician may not always be the most mana-efficient choice. In the bustling meta of MTG, players often look for cards that provide more bang for their buck, meaning this card may be overlooked in favor of lower-cost alternatives with similar or better effects.
Reasons to Include Dispersal Technician in Your Collection
Versatility: Dispersal Technician offers flexibility to a variety of deck builds. With its ability to bounce nonland permanents back to the owner’s hand, it can serve as both a defensive maneuver against opponents or to reuse your own enter-the-battlefield effects.
Combo Potential: Interacting with artifacts, Dispersal Technician can seamlessly integrate into artifact-heavy strategies, enabling you to disrupt your opponent’s board while developing your own. Its return to hand effect could be the lynchpin in an intricate combo chain.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in responding to opponent threats and its synergies with popular artifact mechanics, Dispersal Technician is a card worth considering. Its presence on the battlefield can be decisive in a meta that favors artifact strategies or demands flexible responses to diverse threats.
How to beat
Dispersal Technician can be a tricky card to navigate around in a game of Magic: The Gathering. Its assimilation ability, which allows you to gain control of an artifact, could potentially disrupt your game plan by swiping a key piece of your strategy. However, emerging victorious against a Dispersal Technician is not without its methods. One effective strategy is to minimize the number of valuable artifacts in your deck or to deploy artifacts that are expendable, assuring that your opponent gains little to no advantage from the Technician’s effect.
Moreover, countering the Technician before it hits the battlefield remains a sound tactic. Cards that counter creature spells directly can prevent the Technician from ever taking effect. In case it’s already in play, spells or abilities that can exile or destroy creatures offer an immediate solution. You can also take advantage of the Technician’s blue mana requirement by employing cards with protection from blue or by using tactics that restrict mana abilities, to keep it in check.
Ultimately, planning ahead and equipping your deck with versatile disruption tools are key. A well-timed removal or a strategically chosen countermeasure can help ensure that Dispersal Technician doesn’t hamper your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dispersal Technician MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and The List, 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 Dispersal Technician 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
Printings
The Dispersal Technician Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2017-01-20. Illustrated by Scott Murphy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | AER-32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Murphy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dispersal Technician has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |