Quicksmith Spy MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 41s
2017-01-20 - Number 41
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Artificer |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Quicksmith Spy enters the battlefield, target artifact you control gains ": Draw a card" for as long as you control Quicksmith Spy.
"Let's just broaden its surveillance lens."
Cards like Quicksmith Spy
Quicksmith Spy is an intriguing creature card that offers players a subtle yet powerful advantage in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a few traits with Thassa’s Oracle, as both are blue creatures with abilities that provide utility in addition to their presence on the battlefield. Thassa’s Oracle, while having a different win condition, is reminiscent of Quicksmith Spy’s capacity to manipulate card advantage.
Looking at Padeem, Consul of Innovation, we see another kinship in terms of protecting valuable artifacts, although Padeem focuses on making them hexproof rather than the repeatable card draw afforded by the Quicksmith Spy. And then we have Vedalken Archmage, which does revolve around drawing cards like Quicksmith Spy, but primarily triggers upon the casting of an artifact rather than a more consistent, ongoing ability.
In the realm of MTG, where information is as critical as mana, Quicksmith Spy contests with above-mentioned blue creatures for a spot in decks seeking strategic depth and card flow. Its persistent ability to grant card advantage every turn makes it uniquely suited for decks that wish to consistently draw from their library’s wealth.
Cards similar to Quicksmith Spy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Quicksmith Spy is adept at ensuring continuous card draw since you get to draw a card every time you untap an artifact. This repeated process keeps your hand replenished, providing an edge over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By allowing you to potentially untap mana rocks or other artifacts that generate resources, Quicksmith Spy can assist in catapulting your mana availability, thus expediting your ability to play even more impactful cards ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: The ability of Quicksmith Spy to turn any artifact into a card-drawing engine works well with artifacts that can be untapped at instant speed. This synergy offers flexibility, allowing you to adapt to the fluid dynamics of the game and maximize the utility of both the Spy and your artifacts.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Quicksmith Spy does not necessitate a discard when played, but its value is dependent on retaining artifacts to utilize its ability. Losing those key artifacts can nullify Quicksmith Spy’s potential advantage, making your strategic reserves more vulnerable.
Specific Mana Cost: Quicksmith Spy demands a dedicated blue mana investment with its two blue mana cost. This requirement can restrict deck-building flexibility and could be a stumbling block in multicolored decks striving for an even mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four-mana casting cost, Quicksmith Spy faces stiff competition from other four-mana cards that may offer immediate impact or versatile utility. In high-paced games or environments with lower mana curves, Quicksmith Spy’s cost could be a detriment, slowing down your game plan.
Reasons to Include Quicksmith Spy in Your Collection
Versatility: Quicksmith Spy is a multifaceted card that can seamlessly integrate into blue decks, particularly those with a focus on card draw and ensuring a steady flow of resources.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to grant an artifact the power to draw a card each turn opens the door for numerous synergistic opportunities, especially in artifact-centric strategies that capitalize on repeated enters-the-battlefield or tap/un-tap effects.
Meta-Relevance: With many games extending into longer, intricately fought battles for board presence and card advantage, Quicksmith Spy provides consistent value in formats where outlasting opponents through incremental gains is key.
How to beat
The Quicksmith Spy card in Magic: The Gathering provides a significant edge by granting card draw each turn for as long as you control the artifact it enchants. This ongoing advantage can be a challenge to overcome but not an insurmountable one. The key to dismantling the advantage of Quicksmith Spy is through efficient artifact removal. Cards like Abrade or Shatter provide a solution by directly destroying the enchanted artifact, thus cutting off the card draw source.
To handle the Quicksmith Spy itself, removal spells that exile or cause the creature to shuffle into a player’s library, such as Path to Exile or Chaos Warp, provide a clean way to deal with it. Alternatively, taking control of the artifact with spells like Confiscate can turn the tables, giving you the card draw benefit instead. A well-timed Counterspell when they cast Quicksmith Spy could prevent the setup entirely, preserving your path towards victory.
Overall, the best strategy involves being prepared with versatile removal options and timing your responses to negate the Spy’s impact. Quicksmith Spy can be a game-changer in MTG, but with the right tactics, its advantages can be nullified.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Quicksmith Spy MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt Promos and Aether Revolt, 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 Quicksmith Spy and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Quicksmith Spy Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2017-01-20. Illustrated by Ryan Alexander Lee.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt Promos | PAER | 41s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee | |
| 2 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Quicksmith Spy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Quicksmith Spy card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | If Quicksmith Spy leaves the battlefield while its ability is on the stack, the artifact never gains the card-drawing ability. |
| 2017-02-09 | If Quicksmith Spy leaves the battlefield, you no longer control it. |
| 2017-02-09 | If Quicksmith Spy or the artifact leaves the battlefield while the card-drawing ability is on the stack, that ability resolves as normal. |
| 2017-02-09 | If another player gains control of Quicksmith Spy, the artifact will no longer have the card-drawing ability, even if you regain control of Quicksmith Spy. |