Jangling Automaton MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 151 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Adam Rex |
Text of card
If Jangling Automaton attacks, untap all creatures defending player controls.
"We always look upon our first creations as masterpieces, no matter how awful they are." —Hanna, *Weatherlight* navigator
Cards like Jangling Automaton
Jangling Automaton brings a unique dynamic to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. There’s an interesting parity with creatures like Sleepers’ Guile that shares the ability to influence opponents’ creatures during combat. However, unlike Jangling Automaton, Sleepers’ Guile is a single-use aura that only affects one creature at a time and lacks the repeatable nature of the Automaton’s ability to unsettle an entire board each turn it attacks.
Conversely, Courtly Provocateur takes a similar approach, giving you the power to dictate combat decisions, but it does so from the safety of the back line, avoiding the need to enter combat itself. In contrast, Jangling Automaton must throw itself into the fray to activate its ability. Looking at Master Decoy, it offers a more targeted creature control, tapping a single opponent’s creature with its ability. Yet, the broader impact of the Automaton’s trigger might be preferred in situations where affecting multiple creatures is crucial.
Rules of engagement are fundamentally altered with cards like Jangling Automaton, and while similar cards offer pieces of its puzzle, the sheer breadth of its effect on the battlefield allows it to hold a distinctive position among MTG’s creature control arsenal.
Cards similar to Jangling Automaton by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Jangling Automaton can force each player to return a creature they control to their hand, potentially bouncing utility creatures or those with valuable enter-the-battlefield effects back to your hand for reuse, granting you a tactical advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although this artifact creature doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration in terms of mana, its ability to reset the board can indirectly accelerate your resources by disrupting opponent strategies and pacing the game to your advantage.
Instant Speed: While Jangling Automaton itself isn’t an instant, its ability can be activated at the speed of an instant, allowing you to choose the most strategic moment to bounce creatures, either during your opponent’s turn or in response to an action, maintaining flexibility in your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Jangling Automaton forces players to discard, posing a setback for those who prefer to preserve their hand.
Specific Mana Cost: It demands a precise blend of mana, which could restrict its integration into a diverse array of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value being on the higher side relative to its abilities, players may find alternatives that provide greater value or more impactful effects for the same investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Jangling Automaton offers a unique twist to gameplay, as it can disrupt opponents’ strategies by tapping their freshly untapped creatures. Its flexibility allows it to be a useful tool in various deck builds that prioritize control and unexpected board states.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature has potential in combo-centric decks, particularly those that look to exploit tapped or untapped states. With the right synergies, such as with cards that benefit from the number of tapped creatures on the battlefield, Jangling Automaton can become a strategic linchpin.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Jangling Automaton can serve as a simple yet effective countermeasure. Its presence on the board can complicate combat for the opponent and work well against decks that rely heavily on summoning sickness to establish their board presence.
How to beat
Jangling Automaton presents a unique challenge in MTG gameplay with its ability to untap all creatures that are not on the Automaton controller’s side after it attacks. This could quickly turn the tides in favor of your opponent, especially if they have a creature-heavy deck. However, the key to overcoming this mechanical adversary lies in strategic play.
The most straightforward method is by limiting the number of creatures you have on the battlefield, thereby minimizing the impact of the Automaton’s ability. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, allows you to deal with the Automaton before it can declare an attack, preventing the untap trigger entirely. Another tactic involves using creature abilities that can tap or immobilize the Automaton, like those found on Gideon’s Lawkeeper or Tumble Magnet, which can restrict its ability to engage in combat altogether.
Remember, understanding how Jangling Automaton fits within your opponent’s strategy is paramount. By anticipating when it will pose the most threat and having a game plan ready, you can outmaneuver it and turn the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Jangling Automaton MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Jangling 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 Jangling Automaton has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |