Synthesis Pod MTG Card
2023-02-03 - Number 33
2023-02-03 - Number 23
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Key Takeaways
- Transforms creatures at instant speed for strategic board state adaptation and surprise factor.
- Enables resource leapfrogging by upgrading to higher-value creatures, enhancing battlefield presence.
- Demands special mana and card discard, adding a strategic layer to its utilization.
Text of card
{PU}, , Exile a spell you control: Target opponent reveals cards from the top of their library until they reveal a card with mana value equal to 1 plus the exiled spell's mana value. Exile that card, then that player shuffles. You may cast that exiled card without paying its mana cost.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Synthesis Pod shines at letting players steadily increase their card options, transforming creatures into new draws that better suit the current board state. This ensures a consistent flow of resources, keeping you a step ahead of your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: The creature you upgrade with Synthesis Pod can potentially be of higher mana value, leading to an acceleration of your resources on the battlefield. This leapfrogging of creature value can be a game-changer, enabling you to deploy threats that are beyond the normal progression of turns.
Instant Speed: The capability to activate Synthesis Pod at instant speed offers significant strategic depth. You can adapt to the evolving game at the end of your opponent’s turn, or in response to an action, maximizing the element of surprise and tactical flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Synthesis Pod demands a card to be discarded upon activation. This prerequisite can deplete your hand, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when your hand size is crucial for other game mechanics or when playing control strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Synthesis Pod’s activation cost requires a specific assortment of mana, which could make it challenging to include in decks that have a diverse color palette or that rely heavily on colorless mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment to get Synthesis Pod on the battlefield and its subsequent activation cost are significant, considering the versatility and efficiency of alternative artifact or creature conversion options available in the current meta.
Reasons to Include Synthesis Pod in Your Collection
Versatility: Synthesis Pod offers flexibility in deck construction, as it allows players to adapt to various battlefield scenarios. With the ability to upgrade creatures, this card can be a dynamic addition to any deck, especially those looking to exploit enter-the-battlefield or leave-the-battlefield triggers.
Combo Potential: This card is a catalyst for combo decks. It seamlessly integrates into strategies aiming to assemble specific creature combinations or exploit chain reactions for powerful effects. The adaptability it provides ensures that players can access key creatures when needed most.
Meta-Relevance: Given the evolving landscape of the game, Synthesis Pod holds its ground as a significant player. Its ability to interact with multiple strategies makes it a valuable asset in a diverse meta, ensuring that your collection remains current and competitive.
How to beat
Synthesis Pod is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can give a significant advantage by transforming creatures you control into potentially more powerful ones. It is an artifact that can fundamentally alter the pace and strategy of the game, but it’s not unbeatable. The key to overcoming a Synthesis Pod lies in its activation requirements. Since it requires you to tap the artifact and the creature you intend to upgrade, countering a Synthesis Pod strategy involves applying pressure to your opponent and forcing them to act defensively.
Instant speed removals disrupt the Pod’s transformation process, eliminating the creature before the Synthesis Pod’s ability resolves. Cards that can destroy or exile artifacts directly target the Pod and neutralize its influence on the game. Moreover, enchantments like Stony Silence or Kataki, War’s Wage can halt the Pod’s abilities entirely by restricting artifact activations. It’s also effective to play aggressively and reduce your opponent’s creature count, as this limits the Pod’s utility. In essence, maintaining control and tempo puts you in a favorable position to beat a Synthesis Pod strategy.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the mechanics and subtleties of Synthesis Pod is crucial for any player who wants to leverage its full potential on the battlefield. From gaining card advantage to accelerating your resources, this artifact can serve as a cornerstone in various MTG strategies. Despite its high mana cost and specific activation requirements, its potential to enhance your gameplay cannot be overstated. Whether it’s part of combo maneuvers, flexibility enrichment, or just staying meta-relevant, adding Synthesis Pod to your arsenal is a prudent move. Dive deeper into its tactical applications and start dominating your matches with insightful gameplay tactics we’ve gathered for you.
Cards like Synthesis Pod
Synthesis Pod is a unique artifact in the rich landscape of Magic: The Gathering, reminding enthusiasts of the adaptable nature of Birthing Pod. Both cards share the ability to convert creatures into other creatures, yet Synthesis Pod allows activations only once each turn. Where Birthing Pod uses life payments and variable mana, Synthesis Pod needs no life sacrifice and a constant mana investment, providing a different strategic approach.
Another card that echoes the essence of Synthesis Pod is Evolutionary Leap. This card turns creatures into new hand-held potential, yet it doesn’t guarantee a creature of higher cost like Synthesis Pod does. On the comparison scale, Fauna Shaman offers a tutor effect similar to Synthesis Pod, putting creature cards directly into your hand. However, it lacks the on-the-battlefield swap that Synthesis Pod handles so efficiently.
The trade-offs are evident—where Synthesis Pod guides your army’s evolution directly on the battlefield, others may offer more flexibility or less resource strain. In the space between predictability and adaptability, Synthesis Pod creates a unique niche for Magic: The Gathering strategists seeking a consistent and manageable creature conversion.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Synthesis Pod MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander, 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 Synthesis Pod and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Synthesis Pod Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Campbell White.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander | ONC | 33 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White | |
| 2 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander | ONC | 23 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Synthesis Pod has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Synthesis Pod card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-04 | If a spell has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2023-02-04 | If you cast a spell "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the card. |
| 2023-02-04 | If you wish to cast the card, you do so as part of the resolution of Synthesis Pod's ability. You can't wait to cast it later. Timing rules based on a card's type are ignored. |
| 2023-02-04 | The spell you exiled as part of the cost to activate Synthesis Pod's ability will remain in exile. |
| 2023-02-04 | To activate Synthesis Pod's ability, you must exile a spell you control on the stack (the only place spells exist). |