Etched Familiar MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Fox |
| Released | 2023-04-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | March of the Machine |
| Set code | MOM |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 101 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Colin Boyer |
Text of card
When Etched Familiar dies, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
"No refunds." —Chammi, curio vendor
Understanding Etched Familiar
Etched Familiar is a unique piece in the vast tapestry of creatures available to players in MTG. This artifact creature card offers a multifaceted utility in gameplay, making it a versatile pick for deck builders looking to blend synergy and functionality.
Cards like Etched Familiar
Exploring the realm of artifact creatures, Etched Familiar shares a kinship with cards like Golden Egg and Guild Globe. All of these serve as low-cost artifacts that can be tapped for additional effects. What makes Etched Familiar stand out is its synergistic potential in decks that benefit from sacrificing artifacts. Where Golden Egg and Guild Globe provide value primarily through one-off effects like card draw or mana fixing, Etched Familiar can be repeatedly brought back from the graveyard, ensuring its presence throughout the game.
Another relative in the sphere of artifact creatures is Scrapheap Scrounger. Both Etched Familiar and Scrapheap Scrounger boast the ability to recur from the graveyard, but Etched Familiar offers a colorless option with potential artifact synergies, which Scrapheap Scrounger lacks, since it leans into black mana. Meanwhile, Myr Retriever also echoes this recursive utility but does so in a one-time effect, whereas Etched Familiar can be a recurrent player on the field.
Etched Familiar thus holds its own against its counterparts, carving out its niche as a repeatable enabler for artifact-centric strategies while also standing as a resilient creature in MTG.
Cards similar to Etched Familiar by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Etched Familiar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Scam | Free form | Standard Pauper Tournament Feb 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Engaging with the Etched Familiar on the battlefield often leads to gaining card advantage. This can tip the scales in your favor by providing more options and responses to your opponent’s moves.
Resource Acceleration: Notably, this artifact creature can be a game changer when it comes to resource acceleration. It can potentially unlock additional mana resources swiftly, bolstering your ability to cast more impactful spells sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: The real charm of this creature often lies in its ability to operate at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility. This trait allows players to adapt to the unfolding game, responding to threats or optimizing their board state as the game progresses without having to commit resources prematurely.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Etched Familiar card requires players to discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand size is already dwindling or if the discarded card could be pivotal for later stages of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Etched Familiar demands a detailed mana investment to cast. This card asks for a specific combination of colored mana, which means it may not seamlessly fit into all deck archetypes, potentially reducing its versatility across different strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost attributed to Etched Familiar might be considered steep when weighed against other cards that provide similar or better value. This can impact the card’s playability and efficiency, as players often prefer lower-cost options that allow for a more dynamic playstyle and a quicker pace to outmaneuver their opponents.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Etched Familiar is an adaptable card, able to slot into various deck archetypes. This can range from artifact-centric strategies to those requiring creature-based synergies. Its broad utility makes it an asset in any collector’s arsenal.
Combo Potential: The artifact nature of Etched Familiar works wonders in combination with cards that reward you for playing artifacts or for having a certain number of them on the battlefield. This can lead to powerful play sequences that swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Etched Familiar’s inclusion in your deck can be a savvy move given its relevance in current metagame trends. It can stand against popular deck types, providing you with a versatile tool to navigate through competitive environments.
How to beat
Overcoming the Etched Familiar in MTG requires keen strategy and resource management. This versatile card presents a challenge due to its resilience and ability to protect other key pieces on the board. Formulating a plan to remove or negate the Etched Familiar’s benefits can tilt the game in your favor. Consider utilizing removal spells that bypass its protection capabilities, like those that impose conditions on all creatures rather than targeting. Board wipes become exceptionally valuable in this context, as they remove all creatures and thereby sidestep the Etched Familiar’s recursive abilities.
Another avenue is to exploit its weaknesses by employing spells that change the rules of engagement — such as switching off abilities or altering combat outcomes to neutralize its defensive posture. Additionally, taking proactive control of the game tempo through counterspells or hand disruption can prevent your opponent from ever establishing the protective synergy Etched Familiar can offer. Understanding the underlying mechanics and having a counter-strategy prepared in your deck can ascertain dominance against the Etched Familiar’s potential in any MTG matchup.
Ultimately, an informed approach, familiarity with your own deck’s strengths, and readiness to adapt to dynamic game states are your best weapons to come out on top against the Etched Familiar and its synergistic guardianships on the magic field of play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Etched Familiar MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Etched Familiar and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Etched Familiar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |