Nuisance Engine MTG Card

Generates a 0/1 artifact creature token every turn, enhancing artifact and sacrifice deck strategies. Operates at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility and reaction potential during games. Demands colorless mana for activation, making it niche but potent in certain MTG decks.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 221

Planechase (HOP)
2009-09-04 - Number 121

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number HOP-121

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Text of card

, : Put a 0/1 Pest artifact creature token into play.

All Auriok children know the tale, "Bolgri and the Long Day of Squashing."

Cards like Nuisance Engine

Nuisance Engine is a unique artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It bears some similarities to other artifact cards such as Myr Turbine and Thopter Assembly that also focus on producing token creatures. Nuisance Engine forgoes the massive token production these cards can potentially provide for a consistent, low-cost alternative. It allows players to create a 0/1 colorless Pest artifact creature token during each of their turns, which can slowly but surely amass an army.

Contrasting with Myr Turbine, which has a higher mana investment but can churn out Myr tokens and also tutor for any Myr card, Nuisance Engine requires less initial mana and can be started earlier in the game but lacks the ability to escalate the board state as rapidly. Thopter Assembly offers a burst of tokens all at once assuming you have no tokens when your turn begins, an excellent way to build a flying threat. However, it’s much slower compared to the immediate, albeit smaller, presence that Nuisance Engine can begin developing from the moment it hits the field.

When analyzing their roles within a deck, Nuisance Engine offers a steady and reliable token generation at a low investment, which can be particularly useful for strategies that benefit from having numerous artifact creatures without needing a significant mana ramp. Its versatility in various deck types makes it a card worth considering.

Cards similar to Nuisance Engine by color, type and mana cost

Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions

Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Nuisance Engine provides consistent incremental advantage by creating token artifacts every turn. This utility can be significant in decks focused on artifact synergies or sacrafice mechanics.

Resource Acceleration: Even though Nuisance Engine doesn’t directly ramp or produce mana, the artifact tokens generated can be converted into resources with other cards, potentially accelerating your gameplay and fueling costly spells.

Instant Speed: While Nuisance Engine itself is not an instant, it operates at instant speed, allowing you to create tokens on your opponent’s end step, keeping your options open to react to their moves without committing to a main phase action.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Nuisance Engine doesn’t have a discard requirement, the necessity to invest mana and time to generate tokens can deplete your available resources for other plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Nuisance Engine demands colorless mana for both its casting cost and activated ability, potentially making it less compatible with decks that rely on color fixing or multi-colored mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial three mana investment and subsequent two mana per activation can add up. Other cards might present stronger board presence or immediate impact for a similar or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Nuisance Engine provides the ability to generate a steady stream of artifact creature tokens. This capacity allows it to serve multiple roles in decks interested in churning out artifacts either for defensive chump blockers or for various synergies within a deck’s strategy.

Combo Potential: This artifact excels when paired with effects that capitalize on the production or sacrifice of tokens. Whether it’s powering up engines that reward you for artifact count or enabling sacrifice-based combos for additional benefits, Nuisance Engine can become a linchpin in complex and formidable combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and incremental value can turn the tides, Nuisance Engine’s consistent token generation ensures it maintains relevancy. It’s particularly useful against decks that struggle to deal with multiple recurring threats. As the meta shifts, the Engine’s utility also adapts, making it a perennially wise addition to your collection.

How to beat

Nuisance Engine is quite the pesky artifact in Magic: The Gathering. It has an uncanny ability to continually produce 0/1 colorless Pest artifact creature tokens every turn. This can quickly become overwhelming, especially in prolonged games where the accumulation of these tokens can be used for a variety of strategic advantages. The engine is often used for defensive purposes, as the pests can block incoming attacks, or for offensive strategies, where they are sacrificed for larger gains.

Defeating a Nuisance Engine requires a direct approach. Artifact removal spells are the most straightforward strategy to take down this relentless contraption. Cards that can destroy or exile artifacts, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, are valuable assets in any deck when facing off against artifact-heavy strategies. Additionally, board-clearing spells that can sweep away multiple creature tokens at once ensure that the pests don’t overrun the battlefield. Ultimately, fast-paced decks that can outpace the gradual token accumulation or those equipped with targeted removal options are well-positioned to dismantle the nuisance before it becomes unmanageable.

In summary, managing and ultimately countering Nuisance Engine’s long-term value is essential. Deploying prompt removals, ensuring a steady pace, and keeping the board clear of excess tokens will help maintain control against this artifact’s incremental advantage.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nuisance Engine MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Planechase, 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 Nuisance Engine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nuisance Engine Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Stephen Tappin.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD	221	2003	Normal	Black	Stephen Tappin
2	2009-09-04	Planechase	HOP	121	2003	Normal	Black	Stephen Tappin
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	HOP-121	2003	Normal	Black	Stephen Tappin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nuisance Engine has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal