Smelt // Herd // Saw MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 100
2021-08-20 - Number 100
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 9 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target creature. Its controller creates two 1/2 red Half creature tokens.
Cards like Smelt // Herd // Saw
Smelt is a streamlined card in Magic: The Gathering that offers players a quick and efficient way to dismantle their opponent’s artifacts. Much like the popular card Shatter, Smelt also allows players to target and destroy an artifact. However, Smelt does this at a reduced cost of just one red mana, setting it apart with its cost-effectiveness. In essence, the affordability of Smelt undercuts Shatter, though both share the instant speed benefit.
Herd and Saw cards are not common terms in MTG, and there appears to be a misunderstanding. If we consider other artifact removal options, we find By Force, a versatile card allowing you to destroy multiple artifacts scaling with the mana that you pour into it. While By Force offers greater flexibility in managing a board with numerous artifacts, its variable cost means it sometimes can’t match the quickness of Smelt’s one red mana simplicity.
Ultimately, the choice between these artifact removal cards—like Smelt or By Force—often comes down to the specific needs of your deck and game situation. Smelt is the epitome of simplicity, enabling a quick and efficient response to singular artifact threats within the vast card pool of Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Smelt // Herd // Saw offers a versatile approach to maintaining card superiority. With the Herd // Saw side enabling you to replace itself in hand, you ensure a continued flow of options to outmaneuver your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: The Herd side of the card offers a unique form of resource acceleration by allowing you to create two 1/1 green Peasant creature tokens. These tokens can be crucial in ramping up your board presence or being converted into other resources through synergistic deck mechanics.
Instant Speed: The instantaneous nature of Smelt // Herd // Saw gives you the tactical advantage of responding to threats or optimizing your plays during the opponent’s turn. Reacting at instant speed keeps your adversaries guessing while you can adapt to the evolving battlefield with finesse.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The need to discard a card to activate certain abilities can be quite restricting, particularly if your hand is already running low on options.
Specific Mana Cost: These cards require a specific mana type, which can be challenging if your deck isn’t optimized for that color or if your mana resources are insufficient.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With mana costs that may be on the higher side relative to their effects, you might find other cards that provide similar or better value at a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Smelt, Herd, and Saw cards are highly adaptable to numerous deck types, extending beyond their basic functions. Smelt offers a quick and low-cost way to disrupt artifact-heavy strategies, while Herd and Saw provide unique scaling abilities, fitting into token and artifact-based decks respectively.
Combo Potential: These cards shine in combination plays. Smelt can be a key piece in artifact removal strategies, Herd deftly multiplies creature presence for massive board states, and Saw swiftly transfigures spare artifacts into card advantage, setting the ground for powerful turns.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifacts are prevalent, Smelt serves as an essential answer. Conversely, Herd and Saw adapt to the shifting tides of MTG playstyles, serving as either a formidable swarm tactic or a resourceful means to transition into powerful late-game plays.
How to beat
Confronting the Smelt // Herd // Saw card in Magic The Gathering requires strategic flexibility and an understanding of the card’s multifaceted nature. As a modal double-faced card, it demands a diversified approach due to its ability to act as artifact removal or as a tool for creature generation. Smelt can disrupt an opponent’s artifact-based strategies by effectively removing key components from their board. The simplicity of its one red mana cost makes it highly accessible in the early game.
On the flip side, Herd and Saw allow for a tactical shift, providing the player with either a 3/3 green Elephant creature token or an X/X green Wurm creature token, respectively, where X is the number of lands you control. The scalability of Saw presents a looming threat that can grow as the game progresses, especially in land-heavy decks.
To counter this card, it’s essential to anticipate the mode your opponent may select and prepare accordingly. Having instant speed removal or counter spells can ensure Smelt doesn’t dismantle your setup while board wipes or spot removal can mitigate the impact of Herd or Saw’s creature production. By keeping a versatile toolkit at your disposal, you can stay one step ahead and neutralize the potential threats posed by this versatile card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Smelt // Herd // Saw MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Smelt // Herd // Saw 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
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Printings
The Smelt // Herd // Saw Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Alli Steele.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 100 | 2015 | Split | Black | Alli Steele | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 100 | 2015 | Split | Black | Alli Steele |