Stoneforge Acolyte MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Kor Artificer Ally |
| Abilities | Cohort |
| Released | 2016-01-22 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Oath of the Gatewatch |
| Set code | OGW |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 38 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chris Rallis |
Text of card
Cohort — , Tap an untapped Ally you control: Look at the top four cards of your library. You may reveal an Equipment card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
"The stone speaks. We are merely interpreters."
Cards like Stoneforge Acolyte
Stoneforge Acolyte is a unique addition to the pool of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other equipment tutors like Stoneforge Mystic. Stoneforge Acolyte shines with its cohort ability, allowing players to look at the top four cards of their deck for an equipment card when paired with another ally. Stoneforge Mystic, on the other hand, doesn’t require an ally but fetches equipment directly to hand upon entering the battlefield.
Steelshaper’s Gift is another similar comparison, which acts as a straightforward equipment tutor without relying on creature presence. However, it lacks the board presence that Stoneforge Acolyte offers by being a creature itself. Taj-Nar Swordsmith escalates the equipment tutoring by letting players put the equipment directly into play but requires a higher mana investment proportionate to the equipment’s cost.
Evaluating these alternatives, Stoneforge Acolyte stands out for its potential in ally-focused decks and presents a cost-effective method to sift through the deck for key equipment pieces. Its balance between cost, creature utility, and synergy with other allies makes it a compelling choice for players looking to weave equipment and ally strategies together.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stoneforge Acolyte’s ability to search your library for an Equipment card on entering the battlefield or when it dies ensures you consistently find key pieces to your strategy, bolstering your hand and giving you a tangible edge in resources.
Resource Acceleration: By fetching an Equipment directly into your hand, Stoneforge Acolyte accelerates your setup, enabling quicker access to powerful synergies and reducing the turns needed to establish a commanding presence on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: Although the Acolyte itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it often retrieves Equipment that can be attached at instant speed, providing flexibility and surprise factor during your battles, keeping opponents guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This creature’s ability is compelling for artifact-heavy decks, but it can be quite restricting if you’re required to discard another card. If your hand is already scarce, you might find this cost too steep, compromising your position in the match.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Stoneforge Acolyte requires white mana, which isn’t a setback for mono-white or certain multicolor builds. However, if your deck doesn’t routinely produce white mana or if you’re up against a color denial strategy, you might find yourself unable to cast this card when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the mana cost might not seem excessive at first glance, in the fast-paced environment of MTG, spending one mana for a 1/2 creature might not be the most efficient play. In a game where tempo is key, there could be other cards that yield a more immediate or impactful presence on the board.
Reasons to Include Stoneforge Acolyte in Your Collection
Versatility: Stoneforge Acolyte holds its own in a variety of deck builds, especially those that revolve around equipment. With its ability to fetch a key piece of equipment right out of your deck, it ensures that adaptive strategies have what they need when they need it.
Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with artifact-centric combos. When it enters the battlefield, its cohort ability lets you look at the top four cards of your deck and potentially reveal an equipment card, setting the stage for powerful equipment-based interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-present nature of artifacts and equipment in many competitive formats, having Stoneforge Acolyte in your arsenal means you’re well-equipped to handle a diversity of threats and strategies that define the current meta-game.
How to beat Stoneforge Acolyte
Stoneforge Acolyte can be a potent tool in MTG decks that leverage equipment, boasting a unique ability to aid in assembling powerful equipment combos. When assessing strategies to counteract this card, removal spells are a tactical choice. Efficient removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Acolyte before its Cohort ability is activated, preemptively disrupting an opponent’s setup. Control decks may opt for counterspells to negate the Acolyte’s deployment or the equipment it seeks.
Another avenue to consider is limiting the Acolyte’s Cohort effectiveness by restricting access to equipment. Artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Kolaghan’s Command can dismantle the relevant equipment, undermining the utilization of Stoneforge Acolyte’s ability. Anti-search effects are also instrumental; cards like Leonin Arbiter or Aven Mindcensor can impair an opponent’s ability to search their library, rendering the Acolyte’s Cohort ability far less threatening.
Finally, keeping the board clear with sweepers or prioritizing threats that outpace the gradual value generated by Stoneforge Acolyte also serves as a practical approach. By applying persistent pressure on the opponent and proactively managing their resources, you can mitigate the impact of the Acolyte and maintain a dominant position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stoneforge Acolyte MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Stoneforge Acolyte 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stoneforge Acolyte has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stoneforge Acolyte card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-01-22 | To activate a cohort ability, the Ally with that ability must have been under your control continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn. Informally, it can’t have “summoning sickness.” However, the other Ally you tap can be one that just came under your control. (Note that tapping the second Ally doesn’t use -he tap symbol].) |