Carapace Forger MTG Card


Carapace Forger - Scars of Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elf Artificer
Abilities Metalcraft
Released2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameScars of Mirrodin
Set codeSOM
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number114
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatt Cavotta

Key Takeaways

  1. Carapace Forger excels in artifact-based strategies, becoming a bigger threat with metalcraft activation.
  2. It commands a strong on-board presence early, making it a staple in aggressive artifact decks.
  3. Despite constraints, it shines due to combo potential, versatility, and meta relevance in artifact-heavy decks.

Text of card

Metalcraft — Carapace Forger gets +2/+2 as long as you control three or more artifacts.

"Bows and whips cannot save us from these new horrors of the Mephidross."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While it doesn’t directly let you draw more cards, Carapace Forger’s sheer strength-to-cost ratio can pressure your opponent, potentially leading them to expend multiple resources to deal with it. This indirect approach can tip the scales in your favor, setting you up for a more favorable card advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Carapace Forger shines in decks that excel in artifact synergy, particularly with the Metalcraft ability. Having three artifacts on the battlefield rapidly boosts the Forger, turning it into a substantial threat early on. This acceleration of board presence often compels a swift response from opponents, leveraging your position in the resource race.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Carapace Forger benefits greatly from being in a deck that can operate at instant speed. With artifacts that can be flashed in to achieve Metalcraft unexpectedly, you can bolster the Forger at critical moments, catching opponents off-guard during their turn or at the end of theirs, prior to yours.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Carapace Forger doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, players often pair it with cards that enable metalcraft, which may force discards, potentially depleting hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Carapace Forger demands green mana, which might constrain deck-building options, as it primarily fits into green-centric or artifact-heavy strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its solid stats, Carapace Forger’s mana cost could be considered high for two mana. Cards such as Tarmogoyf could offer similar or better stat efficiency without the metalcraft requirement.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Carapace Forger is a flexible addition to any deck that leverages the power of artifacts. Its ability to become a significant threat early in the game allows it to slide seamlessly into aggressive strategies while also supporting more midrange artifact-centered builds.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in environments rich with artifact synergies. Pairing Carapace Forger with cards that create or benefit from artifacts, like Etherium Sculptor or Cranial Plating, can rapidly increase its impact on the board and amplify the deck’s overall strategy.

Meta-Relevance: Within the Artifact or Affinity archetype, Carapace Forger is highly relevant. In a meta where decks reliant on artifacts are prevalent, this card becomes a cost-effective powerhouse, capable of outmuscling opponents’ creatures and maintaining a strong board presence.


How to beat

Carapace Forger is a powerful creature in MTG that can give players a substantial advantage, especially in decks running with an artifact theme. It’s a two-cost creature that becomes a significant presence on the board with its potential to turn into a 4/4 thanks to metalcraft. While it doesn’t have built-in protection modes, there are strategies to weaken or remove it from the game.

One effective approach is by employing removal spells that bypass its potentially high toughness. Spells like Path to Exile or Dismember can handle the Forger regardless of its metalcraft boost. Another tactic involves counteracting the metalcraft ability itself by targeting the artifacts that enable it. Artifact removal such as Naturalize or Shatterstorm can quickly turn Carapace Forger into a less threatening creature. Lastly, control decks can employ countermagic to prevent the Forger from hitting the field in the first place, showcasing the necessity to address such threats before they become too overwhelming.

The key to overcoming the strength of Carapace Forger lies in timely removal, disrupting artifact synergies, and preemptive measures. By focusing on these strategies, players can mitigate the impact of this potent threat.


Cards like Carapace Forger

Carapace Forger emerges as a powerhouse in decks teeming with artifacts, closely rivaling the function of other artifact-centric creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a notable comparison to Iron Myr when evaluating cards that thrive in an artifact-heavy environment. Like Carapace Forger, Iron Myr benefits from being surrounded by artifacts, yielding extra mana, although it lacks the substantial attack and defense stats that our forger flaunts.

Nestled within the same family tree, Frogmite also shares the affinity with artifacts, boasting the cost reduction perk for each artifact you control. Despite this, Frogmite’s influence in a game pales in comparison to the Forger’s muscle, particularly when facing down creatures across the battlefield. In this contest of utility versus brute force, Carapace Forger often comes out ahead due to its high power level relative to its mana cost.

When deck builders seek to exploit the synergy between artifacts and creatures, Carapace Forger stands out. It not only fortifies the front line but also maintains a low mana curve, a combination that its counterparts struggle to balance. An excellent choice for aggressive Artifact-centric strategies, its potential to apply pressure early and often puts it in a league of its own.

Iron Myr - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Iron Myr - Mirrodin (MRD)
Frogmite - Mirrodin (MRD)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Carapace Forger MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Carapace Forger and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Carapace Forger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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