Sai, Master Thopterist MTG Card


Enhances artifact decks by creating Thopters, boosting card draw and board presence. Provides instant speed utility with token creation, increasing in-game adaptability. Demands careful artifact management due to distinct mana costs and sacrifice mechanics.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Artificer
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

Whenever you cast an artifact spell, create a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying. , Sacrifice two artifacts: Draw a card.

"Industry without artistry is just a fancy way to fill the junkyard."


Cards like Sai, Master Thopterist

Sai, Master Thopterist, presents an inventive twist in the realm of artifact-centric commanders in Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the attributes of other impactful artifact commanders such as Breya, Etherium Shaper. While Breya offers versatility in controlling the board and dealing damage, Sai focuses on producing an army of Thopter tokens. Both manipulate the artifact theme but differ in their tactical approach.

Another peer to Sai is Urza, Lord High Artificer, whose ability to tap artifacts for mana and construct a formidable board presence carries a similar strategic vein. However, Urza impacts the game by also allowing you to play with the top card of your library and creating a large Construct token, illustrating a different facet of artifact synergies.

Reflecting on the inherent strengths of these commanders, Sai, Master Thopterist carves its niche through consistent token generation and serves as a formidable deck cornerstone for players keen to adopt an artifact token-based strategy in Magic: The Gathering.

Breya, Etherium Shaper - MTG Card versions
Urza, Lord High Artificer - MTG Card versions
Breya, Etherium Shaper - MTG Card versions
Urza, Lord High Artificer - MTG Card versions

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Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
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Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
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Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Sai, Master Thopterist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Blue ArtifactsMono-Blue Artifacts LegacyBlue ArtifactsLegacy League 2024-04-21
Mono-Blue 8-CastMono-Blue 8-Cast Legacy8-CastWeekly Legacy
Azorius MidrangeAzorius Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024
Patchwork StompyPatchwork Stompy LegacyPatchwork StompyLegacy League 2024-03-01
AffinityAffinity ModernAffinity10 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians
8-Cast8-Cast Legacy8-CastLegacy Preliminary 2024-03-15
Jeskai MidrangeJeskai Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Mono-Blue AggroMono-Blue Aggro Legacy8-CastTOPdeck.Ru - 2024 Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sai, Master Thopterist shines in decks that prioritize card advantage. Every time you cast an artifact, his ability triggers, rewarding you with a 1/1 Thopter artifact creature token. This capability can rapidly fill your board with tokens, providing additional opportunities for card draw, chump blockers, or an aggressive board presence. The ability to convert these tokens into cards if Sai is ever dealt with also ensures a form of resource replenishment.

Resource Acceleration: By turning your artifacts into a swarm of flying Thopters, Sai allows you to accelerate your resources effectively. Not only do these tokens serve as potential attackers and blockers, but they can also be utilized for various synergistic strategies that benefit from the presence of multiple artifactsor creatures on the battlefield. This augmentation of your board state can lead to a significant advantage as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Sai, Master Thopterist himself is not an instant, the tokens he creates provide instant speed flexibility. Summon a Thopter every time you play an artifact then reap the benefits during any phase of the game. Having a board presence that can adapt and respond instantly, particularly when you have untapped mana, gives you the upper hand during both your turn and your opponent’s, keeping them guessing at your next move.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Sai, Master Thopterist, can be a powerful enabler in artifact-centric decks, he demands a steady flow of artifacts to sacrifice. This requirement can lead to difficult decisions, especially when your hand or the battlefield lacks expendable artifacts to use for his ability.

Specific Mana Cost: Sai’s casting cost includes two blue mana, which may not always be readily available in multi-colored decks. This specificity can restrict him to decks that are heavy in blue mana or have reliable mana fixing to ensure he can hit the board on time.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While his ability to create Thopters and draw cards is undoubtedly beneficial, Sai comes with a casting cost of three mana (two of which are blue). In competitive play, this cost could be considered high for an engine that requires additional resources to start producing value. There are scenarios where those resources might be directed towards more impactful plays.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sai Master Thopterist can seamlessly adapt to various artifact-centric strategies, empowering decks that thrive on casting numerous low-cost artifacts. His ability to churn out Thopter tokens can lead to a substantial board presence in a blink, supporting both aggressive and defensive postures.

Combo Potential: The inherent synergy Sai has with artifacts means it can be a linchpin in intricate combos. Thopters can fuel abilities of cards like Skullclamp for card draw or Time Sieve for extra turns, making the card an ace up the sleeve for players who revel in complex play sequences.

Meta-Relevance: This card holds its weight in metagames filled with creature-based strategies or where artifacts play a pivotal role. With the ability to rapidly populous the board with flying blockers or turn them into offensive pressure, Sai Master Thopterist remains a relevant choice in various competitive formats.


How to beat

Sai, Master Thopterist, is a unique artifact-based card in Magic: The Gathering that can be quite a challenge to play against. It shines in an environment where artifacts are plentiful, enabling a player to amass an army of Thopter tokens which can quickly overwhelm an opponent. But every card has its weaknesses, and strategically speaking, the key to beating Sai, Master Thopterist lies primarily in disrupting the synergy it has with artifacts.

Playing cards that restrict the casting of noncreature spells, such as Damping Sphere, can throttle the momentum that a Sai-led deck hopes to build. Targeted removal spells like Abrade or Shattering Spree can dismantle the artefactual foundation, preventing the accrual of Thopters. For a more permanent solution, consider using counter spells when Sai is cast to nip the problem in the bud. Lastly, cards that sweep the board such as Wrath of God can clear out accumulated Thopters, leveling the playing field. It’s about timing your disruptions effectively and managing the flow of artifacts to keep Sai from taking over the game.

With these strategies in mind, facing off against Sai, Master Thopterist no longer means an inevitable flood of flying machines; instead, it becomes a challenge that can be systematically dismantled.


BurnMana Recommendations

If Sai, Master Thopterist has piqued your interest, you’ll be delighted to explore the strategic depth it brings to MTG. With every artifact you cast, Sai rewards you with a Thopter token, bolstering your board state and offering tactical advantages. For those keen on decks loaded with artifacts, Sai can be a game-changer, inviting creative play combinations and enduring presence in various metagames. Embrace the challenge of refining your artifact strategy and watch your play evolve. Dive deeper into this card’s potential, discover strategic insights, and integrate Sai into your artifact-centric deck. Enhance your gameplay and collection with Sai, Master Thopterist. Ready to become a master of the skies? Learn more and expand your MTG horizons with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sai, Master Thopterist MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 Promos and Core Set 2019 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 Sai, Master Thopterist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sai, Master Thopterist Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Adam Paquette.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 69p2015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
22018-07-13Core Set 2019 PromosPM19 69s2015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
32018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 692015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
42022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 972015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 931997NormalBlackAdam Paquette
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4942015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1182015NormalBlackAdam Paquette

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sai, Master Thopterist has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 Sai's triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.