Sparksmith MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Sparksmith optimizes card advantage by dealing damage without depleting your hand each turn.
  2. Demands goblin sacrifices, which could weaken board presence if not managed wisely.
  3. Instant removals or board wipes can effectively counter Sparksmith’s battlefield control.

Text of card

oc T: Sparksmith deals X damage to target creature and X damage to you, where X is the number of Goblins in play.

"If it didn't hurt, how would I know it worked?"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sparksmith provides a reusable source of damage without requiring card expenditure each turn, conserving your hand while controlling the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting resource acceleration, the ability to remove small creatures can indirectly conserve the mana and resources you might otherwise spend on handling them.

Instant Speed: While Sparksmith’s ability is not at instant speed, it shines by offering flexibility during your own upkeep or main phases, allowing you to tactically manage the board at crucial moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of the Sparksmith card is its demand of continuous resource investment. Each use of its ability requires the sacrifice of another goblin, which could quickly deplete your board presence and leave you vulnerable.

Specific Mana Cost: Sparksmith comes with a red mana dependency, meaning it effortlessly fits into mono-red or red-centric decks but could be a challenging inclusion in multi-colored or color-specific strategies that do not prioritize red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Sparksmith’s casting cost is moderate, the activation cost can be steep in terms of gameplay strategy. The requirement to tap the creature may not seem much, but in a fast-paced game, the inability to use the creature for both offense and defense could be a significant drawback.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sparksmith offers dynamic options for decks focused on dealing damage. It becomes a tactical tool in goblin or ping-centric decks, allowing you to remove key threats on your opponent’s board or push for that last bit of game-winning damage.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in combinations with strategies that involve damage amplification or untap mechanics. In the right setup, Sparksmith can become a repeated source of pinpoint damage, turning the tide in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where small creatures dominate, Sparksmith’s ability to deliver consistent damage makes it a notable contender. Its impact can sway games in creature-heavy metagames, providing a valuable edge.


How to beat Sparksmith

Sparksmith presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to chip away at creatures’ health. To effectively mitigate its impact in MTG, you’ll want to consider strategies that remove the card before its ability can be utilized. One approach is to use instant-speed removal spells that can target Sparksmith before it activates. Countering this type of card also works well, especially when it’s on the stack and vulnerable. Consider packing spells that can specifically handle creatures without incurring too much cost to your side.

Another tactic is to maintain creature superiority. Since Sparksmith’s damage potential is tied to the number of Goblins you control, having removal options that can manage an opponent’s Goblin swarm becomes critical. Board wipes are particularly effective here. Prioritize keeping the board free of multiple Goblin threats to prevent Sparksmith from reaching its full potential. Be proactive, keeping in mind that once Sparksmith is active, its controller can retaliate against attempts to remove it by dealing damage. Timing and prediction are key in preventing Sparksmith from tipping the scales in your opponent’s favor.


Cards like Sparksmith

Sparksmith is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, sharing attributes with cards like Cunning Sparkmage and Vulshok Sorcerer. These creatures each have the ability to deal damage to target creature or player, a valuable asset in many strategies. Sparksmith, distinctively, can potentially deal more damage, scaling with the number of Goblins you control. In contrast, Cunning Sparkmage and Vulshok Sorcerer are limited to one damage per activation regardless of your board state.

Another card worthy of comparison is Goblin Sharpshooter, which offers a similar effect but is pronouncedly more potent due to its untap feature whenever a creature dies. This can lead to multiple activations in a single turn, outclassing Sparksmith’s once-per-turn limitation. However, the Sharpshooter’s higher mana cost and rarity level reflect its increased power. This is where Sparksmith shines as a more accessible option with a low mana cost that synergizes well within a Goblin-centric deck.

Considering its potential damage output and low casting cost, Sparksmith is a card that can be exceptionally powerful in the right deck, where it will significantly impact the game, especially when you’re going for a Goblin tribe synergy.

Cunning Sparkmage - MTG Card versions
Vulshok Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sharpshooter - MTG Card versions
Cunning Sparkmage - Worldwake (WWK)
Vulshok Sorcerer - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Goblin Sharpshooter - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Sparksmith by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Stigma Lasher - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Mudbrawler Cohort - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Stigma Lasher - Eventide (EVE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sparksmith MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Onslaught, 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 Sparksmith and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sparksmith Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2003-08-07. Illustrated by Jim Nelson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 325692003normalblackJim Nelson
22002-10-07OnslaughtONS 2351997normalblackJim Nelson
32003-01-01Friday Night Magic 2003F03 102003normalblackJim Nelson
42003-08-07World Championship Decks 2003WC03 we2352003normalgoldJim Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sparksmith has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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