Maverick Thopterist MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 130
2018-08-09 - Number 185
2019-11-07 - Number 1452
2020-11-12 - Number 199
2020-09-26 - Number DDU-50
2020-09-26 - Number C18-185
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Artificer |
| Abilities | Improvise |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for .) When Maverick Thopterist enters the battlefield, create two 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature tokens with flying.
Cards like Maverick Thopterist
Maverick Thopterist provides a niche role in MTG as a card that seamlessly blends artifact creature creation with Improvise, a mechanic that allows your artifacts to help cast the spell. A close cousin to Maverick Thopterist is Whirler Rogue. Both create two 1/1 flying Thopter artifact creature tokens; however, Maverick Thopterist’s Improvise mechanic potentially allows for a quicker play than Whirler Rogue’s fixed four mana cost.
Another relative in the MTG family is Pia Nalaar, which also excels at generating Thopter tokens albeit just one. Where Pia gains ground is in her additional abilities to pump a Thopter’s power and ensure its unblockability, providing strategic versatility. Meanwhile, Ghirapur Aether Grid can work synergistically with the Thopters that Maverick Thopterist produces, turning them into tools for direct damage.
The thematic synergy and card utility ensure that Maverick Thopterist stands out as a versatile card. It’s not just about producing flying blockers; it’s about the potential of casting it earlier with the right board state, which makes it a game-changer in decks built around artifacts and token generation.
Cards similar to Maverick Thopterist by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Maverick Thopterist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Izzet Ensoul Artifact | Pioneer | Izzet Ensoul Artifact | Pioneer League 2024-02-09 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Maverick Thopterist ensures you stay ahead by creating thopters upon casting. These artifacts translate into extra bodies on the field for blocking or applying pressure, and if you have synergistic mechanics or sacrifice outlets, they can become card draw engines or fuel for various powerful effects.
Resource Acceleration: This card brings along not just one, but two artifact tokens. Whether you’re ramping up for a big spell, need additional mana sources, or are looking to combine with cards that care about artifacts or token generation, Maverick Thopterist provides a significant boost in resources.
Instant Speed: Although Maverick Thopterist does not have instant speed, it does have an impactful enter the battlefield effect. Its ability to provide immediate value upon casting can sometimes be as crucial as a surprise instant play, allowing for a robust defense or an enhanced attack during your turn. Nonetheless, incorporating spells which can give your creatures flash could allow Maverick Thopterist to indirectly benefit from the strategic advantages of instant speed gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Maverick Thopterist demands sacrifice of artifacts or creatures before casting which might diminish your board state, particularly if your strategy is to maintain a solid presence on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires a combination of red and blue mana, making it a niche choice for only certain deck builds that can accommodate both colors efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including both colored and generic requirements, Maverick Thopterist can be a costly addition to your hand. This can prove to be less than optimal in fast-paced games where lower-cost cards could provide more immediate impact.
Reasons to Include Maverick Thopterist in Your Collection
Versatility: Maverick Thopterist easily integrates into numerous deck archetypes, owing to its dual nature of providing a creature and creating artifact tokens. This card can bolster strategies that require a wide board presence or benefit from having multiple artifacts in play.
Combo Potential: The Thopter tokens generated are perfect for triggering synergies or powering up strategies centered around artifact usage. These tokens can be instrumental in enabling powerful combos or simply serve as fodder for other artifact-related mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment fluctuates, Maverick Thopterist maintains relevance, especially in formats where artifact strategies are prevalent. It’s a potent addition against slower-paced decks, providing immediate board state impact and laying the groundwork for more formidable moves as the game progresses.
How to beat Maverick Thopterist
Maverick Thopterist presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield as it brings the advantage of creating artifact creature tokens when it enters the game. This card functions similarly to other token generators but has the added edge of being a versatile inclusion in artifact-centric decks. Its ability to produce Thopter tokens not only offers a defensive buffer but can also empower strategies tied to artifact synergies.
Countering this card effectively requires a well-thought strategy. Board wipes that clear multiple creatures can nullify the tokens, resetting the board to your advantage. Options like Supreme Verdict work wonders without being stopped by counter magic. Additionally, removal spells targeting artifacts become highly valuable, with cards such as Abrade offering great flexibility by either destroying the tokens or dealing with Maverick Thopterist directly. It’s also important to keep pressure on your opponent to limit their chances of generating value through token generation.
Understanding the mechanics behind Maverick Thopterist is key in MTG. Knowing when to disrupt the opponent’s board and when to hold back your removal is crucial for maintaining control. By prioritizing the elimination of key pieces and managing resources effectively, you can outpace opponents utilizing this card to their advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Maverick Thopterist MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Commander 2018, 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 Maverick Thopterist and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Maverick Thopterist Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Zack Stella.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 2 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 185 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1452 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DDU-50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | ||
| 5 | The List | PLST | C18-185 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | ||
| 6 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 199 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Maverick Thopterist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Maverick Thopterist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-07-13 | Equipment attached to a creature doesn’t become tapped when that creature becomes tapped, and tapping that Equipment doesn’t cause the creature to become tapped. |
| 2018-07-13 | If an artifact you control has a mana ability with in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with improvise will result in the artifact being tapped when you pay the spell’s costs. You won’t be able to tap it again for improvise. Similarly, if you sacrifice an artifact to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with improvise, that artifact won’t be on the battlefield when you pay the spell’s costs, so you won’t be able to tap it for improvise. |
| 2018-07-13 | Improvise can’t be used to pay for anything other than the cost of casting the spell. For example, it can’t be used during the resolution of an ability that says “Counter target spell unless its controller pays .” |
| 2018-07-13 | Improvise can’t pay for , , , , , or mana symbols in a spell’s total cost. |
| 2018-07-13 | Improvise doesn’t change a spell’s mana cost or converted mana cost. |
| 2018-07-13 | Tapping an artifact won’t cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so. |
| 2018-07-13 | When calculating a spell’s total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Improvise applies after the total cost is calculated. |
| 2018-07-13 | When using improvise to cast a spell with in its mana cost, first choose the value for X. That choice, plus any cost increases or decreases, will determine the spell’s total cost. Then you can tap artifacts you control to help pay that cost. For example, if you cast Saheeli’s Directive and choose X to be 3, the total cost is . If you tap two artifacts, you’ll have to pay . |