Neurok Replica MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Wizard
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	1
Toughness	4
Number	186
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Key Takeaways

Offers tactical advantage with instant creature bounce, enhancing control and tempo in blue decks.
Artifact synergy can indirectly lead to resource acceleration in specific MTG strategies.
Presents a strategic element, with versatility in response to threats and board control.

Text of card

, Sacrifice Neurok Replica: Return target creature to its owner's hand.

All the curiosity of the Neurok with only a trace of their duplicity.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Neurok Replica offers a unique opportunity for card advantage by providing a way to return a creature to its owner’s hand, potentially saving one of your valuable creatures from removal or reusing enter-the-battlefield effects.

Resource Acceleration: While the Neurok Replica itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it aligns well with artifact synergy decks, commonly found in blue-focused MTG strategies, potentially leading to indirect resource acceleration by collaborating with cards that benefit from artifact quantities.

Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice Neurok Replica at instant speed affords flexibility in gameplay, letting players respond to imminent threats or unfavorable board states on an opponent’s turn, fitting well into control or tempo strategies where timing can be critical.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Neurok Replica requires you to return it to your hand and subsequently discard it as part of its activation cost. This could be unfavorable especially when you’ve been cornered into a position where your hand is already depleted of useful resources.

Specific Mana Cost: With a need for both generic and blue mana to be cast, the Neurok Replica necessitates a commitment to blue mana sources within your deck. This could constrain deck-building options, making it less flexible for decks that run on a tight mana base or those that heavily incorporate multiple colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, the card may not hit the field as swiftly as other lower-cost artifacts or creatures. In addition, while its ability can potentially save a creature from removal or reuse enter the battlefield triggers, there are other more mana-efficient options available that don’t necessitate sacrificing a body on the board.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Neurok Replica provides flexibility due to its ability to serve multiple roles in various deck builds. With its artifact creature type, it can be a key piece in decks that focus on artifact synergies or require blockers with moderate toughness.

Combo Potential: This card can combo well with strategies that capitalize on its sacrifice ability for targeted creature bounce, potentially disrupting opponent plays or saving your essential creatures from removal.

Meta-Relevance: Its relevance can shift with the meta, but in an environment where tempo plays and artifact interactions are prevalent, Neurok Replica can offer unexpected utility against both aggressive and controlling archetypes.

How to beat

Neurok Replica presents a strategic challenge in MTG matches with its ability to bounce creatures back to their owner’s hand. Facing off against this artifact creature can disrupt your board presence, causing a setback in your game plan. To effectively overcome this ability, it’s crucial to have a plan that mitigates its impact.

Control decks that utilize counter spells can limit the use of Neurok Replica’s ability by keeping mana open to disrupt the opponent’s timing. Another strategy involves using removal spells that can target artifacts or creatures regardless of their type, such as Phyrexian Rebirth or Shatterstorm. Moreover, cards like Relic of Progenitus can exile it from the game, nullifying its return-to-hand tactic entirely.

Ultimately, the key to conquering Neurok Replica lies in broad-spectrum answers and timing your threats to avoid being outmaneuvered by its bounce effect. Sound strategy and versatility in your deck’s answers can turn the tide in your favor against this tricky artifact creature.

Cards like Neurok Replica

Neurok Replica captures the utility and versatility often desired in Magic: The Gathering artifact creatures. It shares traits with Vedalken Engineer, as both are part of the artifact synergy-focused group. However, the Engineer leans towards mana acceleration, providing an extra two mana for artifact casting. Neurok Replica, in contrast, doesn’t contribute to mana but offers a defensive bounce ability, sending a creature back to its owner’s hand.

Another relative in this family is the Pilgrim’s Eye, which offers a different form of utility through land fixing. While it doesn’t directly impact the board state like Neurok Replica’s bounce ability, it ensures land drops and smooths out draws. The Eye is more about consistency, whereas the Replica can provide a tactical advantage in stalling opponents.

When evaluating these options, Neurok Replica stands out for its flexibility in both offensive and defensive strategies, catering to MTG players who value interaction with the opponent’s board. Its instant-speed trick can turn the tide of battle, positioning it as a strategic piece in decks that emphasize control and tempo.

Cards similar to Neurok Replica by color, type and mana cost

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Tome of the Infinite - MTG Card versions

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Mysterious Tome // Chilling Chronicle - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Neurok Replica 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 Neurok Replica and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Neurok Replica has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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