Dovin's Automaton MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Homunculus |
| Released | 2019-01-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica Allegiance |
| Set code | RNA |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 268 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Adam Paquette |
Text of card
As long as you control a Dovin planeswalker, Dovin's Automaton gets +2/+2 and has vigilance. (Attacking doesn't cause it to tap.)
It was made for battle, but that doesn't mean it's unsophisticated.
Cards like Dovin's Automaton
Dovin’s Automaton might remind seasoned MTG players of a few other artifact creatures that share some semblance in utility and purpose. For instance, consider Sparring Construct, which adds a +1/+1 counter to a creature upon its death. Dovin’s Automaton, while lacking this exact feature, compensates with its tough defense and the bonus of being more formidable when paired with a planeswalker like Dovin.
Another analogous card is Ironclad Revolutionary, which demands sacrificing an artifact for a permanent pump effect when it enters the battlefield. Dovin’s Automaton can be more flexible by not requiring a sacrifice while still getting an incremental advantage with the presence of a certain planeswalker. Additionally, the Trusty Packbeast, with its ability to retrieve an artifact from the graveyard when it enters the battlefield, offers a utility similar to the synergistic strength of Dovin’s Automaton in an artifact-centric deck.
In essence, Dovin’s Automaton proves to be an asset in decks that utilize Dovin planeswalkers. While it adapts to the environment set by other similar MTG cards, it brings its own flavor to the battlefield with a solid combination of defense and the potential for increased power.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dovin’s Automaton provides a unique advantage by potentially recurring artifacts from the graveyard to your hand, which ensures a steady flow of resources and maintains card advantage throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: By synergizing with artifact-heavy decks, this card can accelerate your board state, providing an indirect form of resource acceleration as you recover key pieces more swiftly, increasing the pace at which you can deploy threats.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Dovin’s Automaton at instant speed offers strategic flexibility, allowing players to make optimal use of their mana each turn and respond to their opponent’s actions on the fly, without committing during their own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dovin’s Automaton asks players to discard another artifact as part of its activation cost. This can set you back, particularly if your hand is filled with essential artifacts that are key to your overall strategy, leading to a difficult decision between maintaining board presence or enabling a powerful effect.
Specific Mana Cost: Its activation cost not only demands generic mana but also specific white mana. This requirement can be restrictive, especially in multi-color decks that may not consistently generate the necessary white mana when needed, potentially leaving Dovin’s Automaton dormant when it could be pivotal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a fairly high mana investment needed to get Dovin’s Automaton on the battlefield, it competes with other four-mana playables in the same space. Players might find the cost hard to justify when there are alternative four-mana artifacts or creatures that immediately impact the game upon entry, without additional resource demands.
Reasons to Include Dovin’s Automaton in Your Collection
Versatility: Dovin’s Automaton can be an asset in various deck archetypes, particularly those that are focused on artifact synergy. Its adaptability across multiple strategies makes it a smart pick for players who enjoy crafting flexible decks.
Combo Potential: This card has the ability to complement and enhance combo-centric decks. Its interactions with cards that care about artifact creatures or artifact count can open doors to powerful plays and game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: Understanding the ebb and flow of the competitive scene is crucial. Dovin’s Automaton can gain importance in a meta where artifact strategies are prevalent or complement decks designed to counter specific meta trends.
How to beat
Dovin’s Automaton may not headline as a formidable powerhouse card in MTG, but it certainly carries potential in specific deck builds – especially those centered around artifacts. The card thrives in an environment rich in artifacts, gaining additional abilities as a result. It’s key to understand that dismantling an opponent’s artifact synergy is crucial when facing Dovin’s Automaton.
To effectively neutralize this animated contraption, consider using targeted removal spells that can address both artifacts and creatures. Cards like Abrade or Naturalize offer the flexibility to disrupt the artifact presence essential for maximizing Dovin’s Automaton’s effectiveness. It’s also beneficial to control the board early on to prevent a swarm of artifacts from empowering this automaton.
Strategizing plays that keep artifact counts low will consequently weaken Dovin’s Automaton, rendering it a less significant threat. Moreover, countering or removing pivotal artifacts in your opponent’s gameplay can not only blunt Dovin’s Automaton but also hamper their overall strategy, bringing you one step closer to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dovin's Automaton MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Dovin's 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 Dovin's Automaton 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dovin's Automaton card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | Because damage remains marked on a creature until it’s removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to Dovin’s Automaton may become lethal if Dovin leaves the battlefield during that turn. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.