Master Splicer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Human Artificer
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage from creating a 3/3 Golem upon entry, offering both offensive and defensive reinforcements.
  2. Resource conservation through the Golem’s presence, fostering a stronger late-game with less mana spent.
  3. Flash mechanic synergy with Master Splicer can surprise opponents and turn combats in your favor.

Text of card

When Master Splicer enters the battlefield, put a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token onto the battlefield. Golem creatures you control get +1/+1.

With Phyrexia's victory at hand, each sect began perfecting its vision.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Master Splicer grants a significant board state boost through its ability to create a 3/3 Golem creature token when it enters the battlefield. This plays into card advantage by effectively placing two bodies on the field with a single card, allowing for increased offensive and defensive capabilities.

Resource Acceleration: While Master Splicer itself does not directly accelerate resources, the Golem token it creates is a powerful asset that can deter opponents from attacking. This subsequently conserves your resources and life total, enabling a stronger mid to late game position without additional mana investment.

Instant Speed: Though Master Splicer is a creature spell without instant speed, its effect synergizes well with flash mechanics. By using other cards that allow you to cast creatures as though they had flash, you can surprise your opponent by bringing in Master Splicer, and its Golem, at the end of their turn, or during combat for unexpected blocks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Master Splicer doesn’t directly ask you to discard a card, finding the optimal time to play it may force you to choose between maintaining card advantage and developing your board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Master Splicer has a particular requirement of one white mana plus three generic mana, which could pose a constraint in multicolor decks that are not heavily invested in white mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana, Master Splicer faces stiff competition from other cards in that mana range. Considering that its primary ability boosts Golems, it may not be the most advantageous play unless you’re committed to a Golem-centric strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Master Splicer graces players with a unique ability to beef up Golem creatures, making it a solid addition to decks focused on creature buffs. With its ability to instantly bolster your board presence, it fits seamlessly in various strategies from aggressive to more synergy-based brews.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks designed to exploit the creation of Golem tokens. Its potent ability to give a +1/+1 boost can become a pivotal mechanic in builds that are centered around tokens, enabling a range of explosive plays and interactions with other cards that recognize the creation or presence of tokens.

Meta-Relevance: Given its role as a creature enhancer, in a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Master Splicer asserts its relevance. It becomes an asset in combats against decks that might struggle to deal with an ever-growing army of Golems, efficiently swinging the board state in your favor.


How to Beat Master Splicer

Master Splicer is a unique card known for its ability to empower golems in the game, granting a significant power boost to these already formidable creatures. While facing a board intensified by Master Splicer’s presence can be daunting, there are strategies to turn the tide in your favor.

One effective method is targeted removal. By eliminating Master Splicer from the battlefield, you immediately weaken its golem companions, making them far less of a threat. Instant-speed spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can swiftly handle the Master Splicer, disrupting your opponent’s strategy. Bordewiping effects, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, also clear out both Master Splicer and its golem allies in one fell swoop, resetting the playfield.

Counterplay is another avenue; countering Master Splicer when it’s first cast prevents its abilities from ever taking effect. Wait for your opponent to attempt casting Master Splicer and use a counter spell like Negate or Counterspell to negate their play, keeping their board in a manageable state. By staying vigilant and employing these strategies, you can effectively navigate around the hurdle that Master Splicer presents in MTG, ensuring your path to victory remains clear.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the detailed analysis of Master Splicer’s pros and cons and its intriguing place in the MTG card hierarchy, we believe there’s much to be gained from integrating this potent card into your gameplay. Whether you’re harnessing its ability to fortify your Golem army or seeking ways to utilize its interaction with other synergistic cards, Master Splicer could very well be the linchpin in crafting an overwhelming force on the battlefield. We encourage you to experiment with its versatile abilities and consider the tactics that can elevate your deck’s performance. As you journey through the dynamic world of MTG, let Master Splicer guide you toward achieving a dominant position in your next match. Dive deeper into strategies and find out how Master Splicer can turn the tides for you.


Cards like Master Splicer

Master Splicer represents a unique niche in Magic: The Gathering, offering a synergistic blend of creature augmentation and token generation. Much like other members of the splicer family such as Blade Splicer and Wing Splicer, it brings a Golem token to the battlefield. What sets Master Splicer apart is its ability to buff all Golem creatures with a notable power increase, akin to the permanent anthems found in cards like Benalish Marshal — though the Marshal’s effect is broader, affecting all creatures you control.

Contrasting Master Splicer with Precursor Golem reflects on the nuances of golem-based strategies. While Master Splicer affects the board by empowering existing golems, the Precursor Golem brings in multiple bodies but exposes itself to potential multi-target removal disadvantages. Moreover, Adaptive Automaton offers a variable approach, being able to boost Golems, or any other creature type, which provides a versatile advantage in creature-specific decks.

In evaluating creature enhancers and token generators in MTG, Master Splicer emerges as a valuable piece within golem-centered decks, balancing a moderate casting cost with a persistent power boost that can turn the tide of creature combat in your favor.

Blade Splicer - MTG Card versions
Wing Splicer - MTG Card versions
Benalish Marshal - MTG Card versions
Precursor Golem - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Blade Splicer - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Wing Splicer - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Benalish Marshal - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)
Precursor Golem - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Adaptive Automaton - Magic 2012 (M12)

Cards similar to Master Splicer by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
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Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Teroh's Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
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Kami of Old Stone - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
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Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)
Moorish Cavalry - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Witch Hunter - Chronicles (CHR)
Carrier Pigeons - Alliances (ALL)
Tormented Angel - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Coalition Honor Guard - Apocalypse (APC)
Teroh's Vanguard - Torment (TOR)
Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Akroma's Devoted - Legions (LGN)
Leonin Abunas - Mirrodin (MRD)
Kami of Old Stone - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Aven Cloudchaser - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Blinking Spirit - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Valor - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Guardian Seraph - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lightkeeper of Emeria - Worldwake (WWK)
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Hero of Bladehold - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Master Splicer MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Master Splicer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Master Splicer Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Chippy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 162003normalblackChippy
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 152015normalblackChippy
32019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 292015normalblackChippy
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 222015normalblackChippy
52023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 1942015normalblackChippy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Master Splicer has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-08-07 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to a Golem you control may become lethal if Master Splicer leaves the battlefield during that turn.

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