Rusted Relic MTG Card

Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
2010-10-01 - Number 199

Rusted Relic - Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)

Modern Masters 2015 (MM2)
2015-05-22 - Number 227

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Abilities	Metalcraft

Key Takeaways

Rusted Relic excels in artifact-based decks, morphing into a formidable creature without extra card costs.
It harmonizes with instant-speed interactions and artifact strategies, increasing its surprise factor and utility.
Despite its strengths, a smart strategy involving artifact removal can effectively neutralize Rusted Relic’s impact.

Text of card

Metalcraft — Rusted Relic is a 5/5 Golem artifact creature as long as you control three or more artifacts.

"We consider rust a curable disease." —Tarrin, Hammer-Tribe shaman

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Rusted Relic itself does not directly contribute to card draw, its transformation into a powerful creature under the metalcraft condition can provide a significant advantage. Controlling three or more artifacts can be relatively easy in the right deck, giving you a considerable presence on the board without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Rusted Relic synergizes well with artifact-centric decks that already aim to ramp up their resource availability. While the relic doesn’t directly generate mana or speed up your resource pool, it fits seamlessly into strategies that do, effectively giving you a ‘free’ creature just for playing the game your deck naturally wants to play.

Instant Speed: Although Rusted Relic is not an instant, decks that play it often run a suite of instant-speed interactions. This can include artifact flash enablers or other instant-speed shenanigans that can unexpectedly turn Rusted Relic into a creature at critical moments, catching opponents off guard during their turns or at the end of their turns to maximize your subsequent attack phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The efficacy of Rusted Relic hinges on having Metalcraft — needing three other artifacts in play. This condition is a potential drawback, as you may have to discard valuable artifacts to meet this prerequisite, diminishing your hand and in-play resources.

Specific Mana Cost: While Rusted Relic’s mana cost is colorless, ensuring its compatibility with most decks, it does occupy a prominent four mana slot. This cost requires strategic planning, especially in artifact-heavy decks that might need to maintain lower curves to be efficient.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana investment, Rusted Relic must compete with other impactful four-mana plays in the game. Players may consider the opportunity cost high, considering there are numerous artifacts and spells at a similar mana cost that provide immediate and potentially more versatile effects.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Rusted Relic shines in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies. Its ability to transform into a sizeable creature with metalcraft adds resilience and adaptability to your game plan.

Combo Potential: With metalcraft activated, Rusted Relic becomes an ideal candidate for combos, meshing well with cards that benefit from the presence of artifacts or creatures on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where artifacts are plentiful, Rusted Relic can be a cost-effective threat. As the meta fluctuates, a deck that can easily activate metalcraft makes the Relic a dynamic inclusion.

How to beat

Rusted Relic may appear formidable on the battlefield when activated in Magic: The Gathering, but there are strategic ways to handle this artifact creature. Many players might simply see a 5/5 creature that comes to life with the Metalcraft ability, which can be a game-changer in artifact-heavy decks. However, disabling its functionality can be as straightforward as disrupting the artifact count that’s sustaining Metalcraft’s condition.

It’s beneficial to have artifact removal spells at your ready, like Shatter or Abrade, which can swiftly reduce the total number of artifacts below three, rendering Rusted Relic merely an inanimate object on your opponent’s side of the field. Additionally, since Rusted Relic doesn’t have any protections against effects, even simple bounce spells like Unsummon or targeted exile effects can eliminate the activated threat efficiently.

Considering these tactics, it becomes clear that while Rusted Relic has the potential for a strong board presence, maintaining control over your opponent’s artifact count or having targeted removal at your disposal will allow you to mitigate the impact of this card during play. Therefore, keep your cool and save those removal resources for when the metal giant awakens.

Cards like Rusted Relic

Rusted Relic may seem like an unassuming card at first glance, but among artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering, it’s a unique piece of the puzzle. Comparable to Etched Champion, which also thrives in an environment replete with artifacts to unlock its potential, Rusted Relic comes to life as a 5/5 creature when you control three or more artifacts. Unlike Etched Champion, it doesn’t boast protection from all colors, but its potential power boost is notable for an environment rich in artifacts.

Similarly, Myr Enforcer offers a rewarding experience for artifact-heavy decks, boasting an affordable casting cost in the presence of numerous artifacts. However, it doesn’t match the raw power of Rusted Relic’s 5/5 stats when activated. Another parallel is found with Gearseeker Serpent; this creature’s cost is reduced per artifact you control, and it can become unblockable, offering a different angle of play compared with Rusted Relic’s straightforward power strategy.

Each artifact creature brings something different to the table, but Rusted Relic stands out with simplicity and sheer strength, making it a solid choice for players leveraging the synergy of artifact-centered decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Rusted Relic by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rusted Relic MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Rusted Relic and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Rusted Relic Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2010-10-01	Scars of Mirrodin	SOM		199	2003	Normal	Black	Igor Kieryluk
2	2015-05-22	Modern Masters 2015	MM2		227	2015	Normal	Black	Igor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Rusted Relic has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rusted Relic card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2011-01-01	If Rusted Relic stops being a creature during combat (because you lose control of one or more artifacts, perhaps), it is removed from combat and will not deal or be dealt combat damage. Creatures it was blocking remain blocked. It won’t re-enter that combat, even if you wind up controlling three or more artifacts again during that combat phase.
2011-01-01	Whether Rusted Relic has “summoning sickness” is based on how long you have continuously controlled it, not on how long it has continuously been a creature.