Feed the Machine MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Scheme |
| Released | 2010-06-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Archenemy Schemes |
| Set code | OARC |
| Number | 14★ |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Scheme |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne Reynolds |
Text of card
When you set this scheme in motion, target opponent chooses self or others. If that player chooses self, he or she sacrifices two creatures. If the player chooses others, each of your other opponents sacrifices a creature.
"Even you have a purpose. Your blood will oil the gears."
Cards like Feed the Machine
Feed the Machine stands out within the landscape of artifact synergy cards in Magic: The Gathering. It reminds us of popular cards like Trash for Treasure, which also focuses on manipulating artifacts. Feed the Machine demands a sacrifice of an artifact for a potent effect, whereas Trash for Treasure swaps out an artifact in play for another in your graveyard, potentially bringing a high-cost artifact into play much earlier. This gives Feed the Machine a slight edge in terms of immediate board impact.
Comparatively, Daretti, Scrap Savant excels in a similar niche. Daretti allows for consistent artifact recursion and the ability to dig through your deck, but he doesn’t share Feed the Machine’s targeted removal aspect. Another parallel can be drawn to Goblin Engineer, which retrieves smaller artifacts from the graveyard but can’t match Feed the Machine’s scale of destruction and life swing.
When examining these cards side by side, Feed the Machine proves to be a valuable addition to decks that capitalize on artifacts. It not only disrupts opponents by dismantling their threats but also caters to the strategy of using artifacts as resources for larger game-changing plays.
Cards similar to Feed the Machine by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Feed the Machine, you can delve into your pool of cards, selectively exiling ones that aren’t immediately useful to gain an edge on the battlefield. This can translate to significant card advantage over opponents as you fuel your strategy effectively.
Resource Acceleration: An aptly named card, Feed the Machine can serve as a conduit for resource acceleration, converting lesser cards into valuable assets. This can be a game changer, giving you the means to deploy threats or answers ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The power of Feed the Machine lies not just in what it does, but when it can do it. Instant speed execution means you remain a threat even on your opponent’s turn, making them wary of overextending. This flexibility keeps you in control and can dictate the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging Feed the Machine requires you to part with another card from your hand, potentially depleting your assets in clutch moments of play. This discard element can tip the scales unfavorably when you’re scraping for resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s reliance on a distinct mana combination can restrict its utility, compelling it to fit within specific deck archetypes that can accommodate its color demands. Players might find integrating it into a varied mana base deck somewhat challenging.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Wielding the abilities of Feed the Machine comes at a notable mana expenditure. When compared to other options available in the card pool, there’s a chance you might uncover alternatives that achieve similar outcomes without as lofty a mana investment, rending the card a less optimal choice in certain situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Feed the Machine provides flexibility across various deck builds. It offers utility in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or require efficient removal options.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in combos, especially in strategies focusing on sacrificing artifacts for value or accumulating tokens for a grand payoff.
Meta-Relevance: Given how it interacts with popular archetypes, Feed the Machine’s applicability can give players an edge against artifact-heavy decks dominating the play environment.
How to beat
Understanding the intricacies of Feed the Machine is crucial when strategizing in MTG. This card, while not as ubiquitous as some staples, can be a thorn in the side of unprepared players. The card’s ability to synergize with artifact-heavy decks means that to counteract its effects, targeted removal of key artifacts is essential. This could involve running cards that destroy or exile artifacts, thus depriving your opponent of the resources they need to feed the machine.
Additionally, instant-speed interaction is vital. Having the capability to dismantle combos or key pieces in response to an activation of Feed the Machine ensures that you keep control of the board state. Incorporating flexible counterspells or universal removal spells that can handle multiple card types, like artifacts, can give you an upper hand. This proactive and reactive approach can effectively neutralize the advantage garnered from Feed the Machine, keeping your opponent at bay and paving the way for your victory in the match.
Anticipating when to disrupt your opponent’s strategy while developing your own game plan is a nuanced balancing act. Thus, preparedness and adaptability are your best tools when confronting the challenge posed by Feed the Machine. By using the right mix of removal and countermeasures, you can ensure that this card does not tilt the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Feed the Machine MTG card by a specific set like Archenemy Schemes, 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 Feed the Machine 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
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Feed the Machine card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | In a Supervillain Rumble game, the targeted player may still choose “others.” Each player who isn’t the active player or the targeted player will thus be affected. |
| 2010-06-15 | The targeted player may choose “others” even if there are no others (because all of their teammates have lost the game, for example), or the archenemy’s other opponents can’t perform the resulting action. |
| 2010-06-15 | The targeted player may choose “self” even if they can’t perform the resulting action. For example, a player targeted with Feed the Machine may choose “self” even if they control no creatures. |