Kenku Artificer MTG Card
2022-06-10 - Number 80
2022-07-07 - Number 125
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Artificer |
| Abilities | Homunculus Servant |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Homunculus Servant — When Kenku Artificer enters the battlefield, put three +1/+1 counters on up to one target noncreature artifact. That artifact becomes a 0/0 Homunculus artifact creature with flying.
Though her words may be unoriginal, her creations are anything but.
Cards like Kenku Artificer
The Kenku Artificer card invites intrigue into the ever-expanding universe of creature types in Magic: The Gathering. It piques interest among players for its potential in artifact-centric decks, much like its comparison to the renowned Goblin Artificer. The Kenku Artificer stands its ground with unique abilities that synergize with artifacts. In contrast, the Goblin Artificer often lends itself to a more aggressive playstyle, which includes destroying opponent’s artifacts or enhancing your own.
Exploring further, the Vedalken Artificer emerges as another comparable card. This particular artificer also benefits the artifact theme but accentuates cost reduction for artifacts rather than the direct interaction that the Kenku provides. Crafting a deck around either of these artificers could lead to an engaging synergy with artifacts though they drive the game forward in distinctly different directions.
Ultimately, the Kenku Artificer can find a home in many MTG decks that cherish inventive approaches to using artifacts. While it shares common ground with other artificer cards, its unique abilities allow for a fresh layer of strategic depth and interactions, distinguishing it within the category of artificer creatures.
Cards similar to Kenku Artificer by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Kenku Artificer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeskai Ephemerate | Pauper | Jeskai Ephemerate | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-27 |
 | Grixis Affinity | Pauper | Grixis Affinity | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-27 |
 | UBR | Pauper | Pauper Preliminary 2024-05-06 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Kenku Artificer offers a unique approach to card advantage, providing consistent deck filtration to ensure you get the tools you need when you need them. It’s like having a personal assistant in your deck, methodically sifting through the stack to bring you your most vital cards.
Resource Acceleration: With an ingenuity for invention, this artificer is not just about innovation but also about accelerating your resources. Whenever artifacts come into play under your control, you can channel the Kenku Artificer’s ability to churn out additional resources, propelling you ahead in the game’s economic race.
Instant Speed: The ability to utilize the Kenku Artificer at instant speed carves out a massive strategic advantage. It allows you the flexibility to respond to your opponents’ moves, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and maximize the efficiency of your plays, keeping you one step ahead. The element of surprise inherent in instant speed interactions cannot be overstated.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of the Kenku Artificer card, players are often required to discard another card to activate certain abilities. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted, and you’re forced to choose between losing a potential game changer or not utilizing your Artificer’s skills.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost to summon Kenku Artificer can be restrictive, as it requires specific mana types. This lock on mana can be a hurdle, especially for multicolor decks that may not always have the required mana readily available or may need it for other critical plays in their strategic arsenal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the overall mana curve of your deck, the Kenku Artificer can be on the higher end for its abilities, which might not always justify its spot in your deck. Savvy players might find other cards with lower mana costs or more impactful abilities for the same investment, leading to more efficient deck construction and gameplay strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Kenku Artificer offers flexibility in deck-building, capable of fitting into multiple archetypes. With its synergistic potential, it can adapt to various strategies, especially in decks centered around artifacts.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into combos, working well with cards that interact with artifact manipulation or creation. The ability to tinker with artifacts on the battlefield or in your hand increases the depth of possible in-game interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting meta, a card like the Kenku Artificer maintains relevance by providing support for artifact-focused decks. Its presence can impact games significantly, especially in environments where artifacts play a key role.
How to beat Kenku Artificer
The Kenku Artificer is a fresh addition to the MTG universe, blending unique abilities with a potential for powerful artifact interactions. To successfully navigate a match against this creature, it’s crucial to understand its mechanics. Unlike other artifact-based creatures, the Kenku Artificer can manipulate and benefit significantly from artifacts on the battlefield.
A strategic approach involves limiting the Artificer’s access to artifacts. Removal spells that target nonland permanents or specifically artifacts can severely diminish the power the card holds. Counterspells also prove effective, preventing the Kenku Artificer from entering the battlefield altogether. Board wipes become highly valuable in this context, resetting the playing field and removing the additive benefits the Kenku Artificer could accumulate.
Moreover, keep pressure with consistent creature damage or direct damage spells to keep the opponent’s health low, decreasing their capacity to utilize the Kenku Artificer’s synergies. Keep these strategies in mind, and the path to outplaying the Kenku Artificer becomes clear, making your matches tilt in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kenku Artificer MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Kenku Artificer 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
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Printings
The Kenku Artificer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Dave Greco.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 80 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Greco | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Greco |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kenku Artificer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kenku Artificer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-06-10 | If the target artifact is an attached Equipment, it becomes unattached. If an Equipment without reconfigure becomes an artifact creature, it can't be attached to another creature. |
| 2022-06-10 | If the target noncreature artifact is a Vehicle, its power and toughness will be set to 0/0. Crewing that Vehicle will not restore its power and toughness. |
| 2022-06-10 | Kenku Artificer doesn't remove any abilities the target artifact has. |
| 2022-06-10 | The artifact retains any types, subtypes, or supertypes it has. |
| 2022-06-10 | The resulting artifact creature will be able to attack on your turn if it's been under your control continuously since the turn began. That is, it doesn't matter how long it's been a creature, just how long it's been on the battlefield. |