Filigree Familiar MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Fox
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage when entering and leaving the battlefield, bolstering hand resources.
  2. The life gain effect offsets aggressive plays, leveraging your life total as a strategic resource.
  3. Despite a balanced cost, careful inclusion is advised due to mana curve considerations.

Text of card

When Filigree Familiar enters the battlefield, you gain 2 life. When Filigree Familiar dies, draw a card.

"It's the must-have gift for everyone on your list. Get one for yourself, too!" —Chammi, curio vendor


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Filigree Familiar enters the battlefield, you draw a card, providing immediate value and helping to keep your hand full. Additionally, when it dies, you draw another card, turning it into a valuable resource for maintaining momentum.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly producing mana or Treasure, the life gain effect of Filigree Familiar on entering or leaving the battlefield can be seen as a form of indirect resource acceleration, giving you a buffer to utilize your life total as a resource for other strategic plays or synergistic effects within your deck.

Instant Speed: While Filigree Familiar itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with instant speed spells and effects. It can be sacrificed or bounced to your hand at instant speed for repeated value, fitting into strategies that operate on your opponent’s turn and providing flexibility during gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Filigree Familiar doesn’t have an upfront discard requirement, but when it dies, it necessitates a draw which could be seen as a disadvantage in decks that capitalize on graveyard strategies or prefer to maintain card quantity in the library.

Specific Mana Cost: Its generic cost of three mana is flexible, but for decks looking to streamline their curving or those utilizing color-intensive strategies, Filigree Familiar might not always fit seamlessly into the mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Filigree Familiar offers both life gain and card draw, its three mana cost is a point of contention when compared with other creatures in the same cost bracket that offer more aggressive stats or impactful abilities. The balance between its utility and cost is a factor to consider for deck inclusion.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Filigree Familiar shines with its ability to fit seamlessly into a range of decks. Its life gain upon entering the battlefield and card draw upon death offer utility in both aggressive and control strategies, making it a flexible addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature can easily be a part of synergistic interactions, especially in decks that capitalize on artifact recursion or death triggers. Its departure from the battlefield turning into card advantage can be repeatedly exploited with the right combination of cards.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s ever-shifting, Filigree Familiar holds its ground. Against aggressive decks, the life gain can be a buffer, while its card draw ability keeps resources flowing in longer, grindier matchups. Its relevance adapts with the prevailing deck types, remaining a consistent performer regardless of the competitive environment.


How to beat

Filigree Familiar is a cozy addition to creature line-ups in MTG, offering a friendly face and a flexible role. It shines in giving you 2 life upon entering the battlefield and providing card advantage when it departs. Tactics to overcome this artifact creature involve timing and resource management. Since Filigree Familiar provides value both when it’s played and when it’s destroyed, it’s wise to consider using exile-based removal to prevent the card draw—essentially bypassing the advantage it would give upon death.

Utilizing cards like Path to Exile or Dire Tactics can be instrumental in negating the Familiar’s exit-triggered card draw. Additionally, counter strategies that don’t involve killing the creature, such as enchantments that neutralize abilities or keep it tapped, can also be effective. Beware, though, not to overcommit resources to deal with this creature, as the key to beating Filigree Familiar is equating its cost-to-benefit ratio—that is, ensuring you don’t give up more value than the Familiar could provide to your opponent.

In summation, overcoming Filigree Familiar requires a blend of precision and judiciousness. Handling this creature smartly ensures that its life-giving and card-drawing comforts are kept to a minimum.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the multi-faceted world of MTG, Filigree Familiar emerges as more than just an endearing artifact creature; it’s a strategic gem that provides card and life resources to tactically advance your gameplay. Whether you’re facing off against quick-strike decks or setting up for the long game, this card can be a linchpin for turning the tide in your favor. Curious about how to weave Filigree Familiar into your deck for optimal performance, or looking for alternative cards that offer a similar edge? Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG strategy and discover how to amplify your deck’s capabilities for your next victory. Let’s delve into the synergies and strategies that make Filigree Familiar a standout addition to your collection.


Cards like Filigree Familiar

Filigree Familiar serves as a versatile artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, akin to comparable utility creatures like Solemn Simulacrum. Both cards provide a measure of life gain and card draw, offering value beyond mere battlefield presence. Yet, unlike Solemn Simulacrum, which grants you a land and draws a card upon death, Filigree Familiar provides its life bonus upon entering the battlefield, ensuring immediate benefit regardless of its survival.

Another parallel can be drawn with Pilgrim’s Eye, which, similar to the Familiar, is an artifact creature that influences the game beyond combat stats. Pilgrim’s Eye allows for land tutoring upon entry, ensuring land drops and deck thinning, while Filigree Familiar grants life and potential card advantage upon exiting. This gives the Familiar a nod in games where life totals are as pivotal as card advantage.

Ultimately, Filigree Familiar stands out in its own right within Magic: The Gathering. Its immediate life gain coupled with the potential for card draw upon death makes it a well-rounded choice for decks that value resilience and resource continuity.

Solemn Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim's Eye - MTG Card versions
Solemn Simulacrum - Mirrodin (MRD)
Pilgrim's Eye - Worldwake (WWK)

Cards similar to Filigree Familiar by color, type and mana cost

Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
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The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
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Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
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Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Sword of Vengeance - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Loxodon Warhammer - Tenth Edition (10E)
Sword of Feast and Famine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Training Drone - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Pristine Talisman - New Phyrexia Promos (PNPH)
Alloy Myr - Jumpstart (JMP)
Guardians of Meletis - Magic Origins (ORI)
Vedalken Shackles - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Herald's Horn - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Manalith - Hour of Devastation (HOU)
Sword of Vengeance - Commander 2017 (C17)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Filigree Familiar MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Game Night, 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 Filigree Familiar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Filigree Familiar Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Izzy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 2122015normalblackIzzy
22018-11-16Game NightGNT 522015normalblackIzzy
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 15822015normalblackIzzy
42020-09-26The ListPLST GNT-522015normalblackIzzy
52020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 2392015normalblackIzzy
62020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3082015normalblackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Filigree Familiar has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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