Machine Over Matter MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2022-11-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Brothers' War |
| Set code | BRO |
| Number | 57 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tuan Duong Chu |
Text of card
This spell costs less to cast if you control an artifact creature. Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.
The Warlord decreed that only someone who could move the statue would be strong enough to marry the princess. So Urza moved it.
Cards like Machine Over Matter
Machine Over Matter stands out in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering transformative cards. It draws parallels with other game-changers like Release to the Wind, which similarly exiles a nonland permanent and allows you to cast it for free. What makes Machine Over Matter unique is its ability to potentially affect multiple targets, reshaping the battlefield in a sweeping move.
Looking at Mirrorweave, we explore another card with the power to alter creature dynamics. This card turns each other creature into a copy of a chosen creature until end of turn. While it doesn’t offer the permanence of Machine Over Matter’s exiling ability, it presents a mass board alteration effect. Yet another comparable card is Synthetic Destiny, which exiles your creatures at instant speed and brings into play that many creatures from the top of your library. It lacks the pinpoint precision of Machine Over Matter, which selectively switches your board state with a finely-tuned and strategized approach.
Each card holds its merit in transforming the lay of the land, but Machine Over Matter’s flexibility to selectively exile and play around with both yours and opponents’ permanents puts it in a class of its own, catering to strategic players looking to dominate with calculated board control.
Cards similar to Machine Over Matter by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Machine Over Matter. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | U | Modern | Modern Challenge 32 2024-04-29 | |
 | Mono-Blue Tempo | Standard | Mono-Blue Artifact Aggro | Supported by Rebound standard Supported by Rakuten Books |
 | Bant Aggro | Standard | Bant Artifact Aggro | After Showdown: Murders at Karlov Manor |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Machine Over Matter offers a distinct advantage by allowing players to sift through their deck and pull out artifacts that can lead to a significant increase in hand value. This becomes a pivot point for leveraging superior board positions and ultimately, commanding the game.
Resource Acceleration: By dropping artifacts onto the battlefield, Machine Over Matter can ramp up your resources efficiently. This acceleration is key in outpacing your opponents and can often be the linchpin in high-stakes matches where every mana point counts.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be played at instant speed gives players the tactical versatility to respond to threats immediately or to optimize the end of an opponent’s turn. This can result in game-changing plays, making Machine Over Matter a card that opponents must constantly plan around.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One hurdle players face with Machine Over Matter is the initial discard requirement. While this can synergize with graveyard strategies, in many scenarios, parting with a card could deplete your hand and reduce your in-game options.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck building with Machine Over Matter necessitates a commitment to its specific mana cost. Its blue devotion could be demanding for multicolored decks, potentially affecting the deck’s mana base and consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though its abilities are potent, the card comes with a comparatively high mana cost. This investment can slow down your game plan, especially in formats where lower-cost cards can accomplish similar goals more efficiently.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Machine Over Matter is an adaptable asset for your arsenal due to its ability to manipulate both permanents on the battlefield and cards in your hand. Featuring a dynamic effect that hinges on card types rather than specific strategies, it fits seamlessly into a myriad of decks, from resourceful control to innovative combo builds.
Combo Potential: This unique card opens up a universe of combo possibilities. It allows for the swapping of nonland permanents, which can be leveraged to disrupt opponents or to enable synergies within your own field of play. Its inherent potential to interact with a wide range of game mechanics ensures it is a powerful piece in intricate combo chains.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of competitive play, Machine Over Matter remains particularly pertinent. It provides an answer to numerous commonly played permanents while also propelling your own board state. Whether you are facing down aggressive creatures or trying to outpace control decks, this card’s versatility in handling an array of situations secures its place in the ever-evolving meta.
How to beat
Machine Over Matter, the latest artifact to shake up the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, presents a unique challenge with its ability to convert noncreature artifacts into 4/4 creatures. To outpace this card, seasoned players will advocate for strategies that neutralize artifacts or strip them of their abilities. Aiming for a deck that includes artifact removal spells such as Disenchant, Abrade, or Creeping Corrosion can be pivotal. Such spells can effectively dismantle crucial artifacts before they transform into formidable opponents on the battlefield.
Control decks, particularly those bolstered with counterspells or hand disruption techniques, can also gain an upper hand against Machine Over Matter. Delaying or preventing its arrival altogether is crucial since once it hits the table, it has the potential to rapidly tilt the scales. Ensuring you have access to versatile answers such as Naturalize or Shatterstorm diversifies your ability to respond to the myriad of threats that Machine Over Matter can produce, not to mention preventing an overwhelming board presence of animated artifacts.
Remember, maintaining a diversified arsenal of removal and disruption tools can be your best bet in maintaining dominance over a card like Machine Over Matter, keeping it from taking full control of the duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Machine Over Matter MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Machine Over Matter 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 Machine Over Matter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |