Power Artifact MTG Card


Reduces activation costs, enabling increased efficiency and potential for card advantage in artifact-centric decks. Allows for quick mana acceleration which can be pivotal in casting high-cost spells and winning the game. The enchantment’s versatility across multiple MTG formats keeps decks competitive and adaptive.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Text of card

The activation cost of target artifact is reduced by . If this would reduce target artifact's activation cost below o1, target artifact's activation cost becomes o1. Power Artifact has no effect on artifacts that have no activation cost or whose activation cost is .


Unveiling the Potential of Power Artifact

Understanding the intricate tapestry of Magic the Gathering spells and enchantments can be the difference between victory and defeat. Within the realm of card enhancements, Power Artifact emerges as an underappreciated gem. It is a blue enchantment that, when attached to an artifact, reduces the activation cost of its abilities by two generic mana. This unique attribute is not unlike that of other cost-reducing spells, but with a distinct focus on artifacts rather than spells or creatures.

Cards like Power Artifact

Power Artifact can be closely likened to cards such as Training Grounds, which also offers a cost-reduction benefit for abilities, but it’s limited to creatures only. Meanwhile, Power Artifact’s application to artifacts makes it a powerful combo enabler, particularly with cards like Basalt Monolith, allowing players to generate infinite mana. Another similar card is Heartstone, affecting all creatures’ activated abilities on the battlefield, yet it does not offer the same combo potential due to its broader, more diluted focus.

Evaluating Power Artifact’s place, it’s apparent that while it may not have the universal appeal of some cost-reduction mechanisms, its specialized application harbors the potential to be a game-changer, particularly in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies. As such, its value within MTG manifests most in the hands of those who can cleverly exploit its powerful, albeit niche, effect.

Training Grounds - MTG Card versions
Basalt Monolith - MTG Card versions
Heartstone - MTG Card versions
Training Grounds - MTG Card versions
Basalt Monolith - MTG Card versions
Heartstone - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Power Artifact doesn’t directly draw you cards, but its ability to reduce the activation cost of artifacts can lead to significant card efficiency. This efficiency often turns into card advantage as it allows you to activate abilities of cards like Grim Monolith or Basalt Monolith more often, effectively cycling through your deck faster to get the resources you need.

Resource Acceleration: By decreasing an artifact’s activation cost, Power Artifact can be a key component in mana-intensive decks, accelerating your resource availability. This can enable faster execution of your strategy by allowing you to play high-cost spells sooner than your opponents expect. When combined with untapping artifacts, it can even generate infinite mana, setting you miles ahead of your competition.

Instant Speed: Although Power Artifact itself is an enchantment that must be cast at sorcery speed, the cost reduction it provides can enable instant-speed interactions with your artifacts. This is especially pertinent when dealing with artifacts that have tap or activated abilities which you can now use more liberally, keeping your opponents always on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Power Artifact is its reliance on the artifact it’s enchanting. If the enchanted artifact is removed from play, you may lose the card advantage you were counting on, which could put you in a bind.

Specific Mana Cost: Power Artifact requires two blue mana to cast. This specific mana restriction means it can only fit into decks that can produce sufficient amounts of blue mana, potentially limiting its inclusion in a diverse range of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Power Artifact’s mana cost is not exorbitant, it is vital to consider that it must be attached to an artifact that is worth the investment. This potentially high combined cost can be inefficient compared to other options if you’re looking to optimize mana expenditure in your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Power Artifact is renowned for its ability to reduce the activation costs of your artifacts. This flexibility makes it a crucial addition to any deck where artifacts play a key role, ensuring a more efficient use of your mana.

Combo Potential: The card shines in its ability to combine with other cards, such as Grim Monolith or Basalt Monolith, to create infinite mana. This unlimited mana can then be used to execute game-winning strategies, skyrocketing your chances of victory.

Meta-Relevance: While the meta continually evolves, Power Artifact remains a potent piece in several competitive formats. Its inclusion in your deck ensures that you stay ahead by exploiting synergies that many decks are not prepared to counter.


How to beat

Power Artifact is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that reduces the activation cost of target artifact. When faced against this potent card, it’s crucial to prioritize enchantment removal or artifact disruption strategies to neutralize its effect. Cards that destroy or exile artifacts, like Shatterstorm or Forsake the Worldly, can dismantle the combo capabilities that Power Artifact aims to exploit.

Alternatively, countering this enchantment when it is on the stack can prevent it from ever impacting the board. Therefore, including versatile counterspells such as Counterspell or Negate in your deck can prove to be an effective defense against Power Artifact’s combo potential. It’s also worth considering targeted discard strategies to remove Power Artifact from an opponent’s hand before they have the chance to cast it, using tactics like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek.

Lastly, remember that Power Artifact relies on the presence of other artifacts to generate value. Thus, monitor the board closely and disrupt artifact synergies before they go online. Keeping these strategies in mind can help you hold the line against Power Artifact and maintain control over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the interplay between artifacts and powerful enchantments like Power Artifact can be a decisive factor in MTG. It’s essential to understand how cards like this influence the pace and outcome of your duels. By fostering an efficient mana base and synergizing your deck components, you create a foundation for a formidable strategy. If you’re keen to delve deeper into building a competitive artifact-focused deck or simply wish to expand your knowledge of cost-reducing dynamics, we’re here to guide you. Enhance your MTG experience and secure those critical wins by learning the intricacies of Power Artifact with us. Your journey to mastery starts now.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Power Artifact MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Magic Online Promos, 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 Power Artifact and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Power Artifact Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-03-04AntiquitiesATQ 111993NormalBlackDouglas Shuler
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 954772015NormalBlackJohn Stanko
32011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 571997NormalBlackDouglas Shuler

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Power Artifact has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Can be placed on artifacts with no or zero activation costs, but this has no effect on them. It does not increase the cost to one.
2004-10-04 Only affects the generic mana part of activation costs. Colored parts of mana costs are not affected.
2006-07-15 Can’t reduce Snow mana costs.
2016-06-08 Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “
-ost:
-ffect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.