Tenured Oilcaster MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Wizard |
| Abilities | Menace,Mill |
| Released | 2023-04-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | March of the Machine |
| Set code | MOM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 126 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Francisco Miyara |
Text of card
Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) Tenured Oilcaster gets +3/+0 as long as an opponent has eight or more cards in their graveyard. Whenever Tenured Oilcaster attacks or blocks, each player mills a card.
Cards like Tenured Oilcaster
Tenured Oilcaster presents an intriguing dynamic in the realm of counter manipulation cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some functional similarities with cards like Hexdrinker, which is also known for its ability to gain permanence through level up counters. The Oilcaster, however, distinguishes itself with its focus on artifice, specifically the creation and use of oil counters that grant longevity to artifact creatures.
Another card with a resonance to Tenured Oilcaster is Steel Overseer, which similarly bolsters the capabilities of artifact creatures. Where Steel Overseer offers a direct approach by placing +1/+1 counters on each artifact creature you control, the Oilcaster’s method is more nuanced, involving a build-up of oil counters that eventually leads to recursive benefits for artifacts.
Examining the niche of counter-centric cards in Magic: The Gathering, Tenured Oilcaster offers unique advantages in managing and benefiting from these secondary resources. Its approach to cultured refinement and value over time through oil counters places it in a distinctive position among its peers, enabling fascinating play strategies that revolve around the fortification and enhancement of artifact-based decks.
Cards similar to Tenured Oilcaster by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tenured Oilcaster provides the ability to potentially draw an extra card each turn, keeping your hand stocked and prepared for whatever moves you need to make on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: With its unique mechanic, this card lets you accumulate counters that, when used wisely, can translate into an influx of resources, propelling you ahead of your opponents in both tempo and options available for play.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting spells or activating abilities at instant speed cannot be overstated; this card gives you the upper hand by adapting to the ongoing game and responding to your rivals’ moves on the fly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Tenured Oilcaster demands that a player discard a card to tap into its abilities. When your hand is already stretched thin, losing another valuable piece from your options can hamper your strategy, particularly during the late game when each card’s impact is magnified.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting this character requires a precise blend of mana types, which could be challenging for multicolored decks to muster without compromising their mana base. Players lament that this specificity can sometimes delay the card’s play or even render it idle in hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively hefty cost to get the Tenured Oilcaster on the field, players must weigh their options. In a fast-paced game where tempo is critical, allocating four mana to one spell that doesn’t immediately influence the board can be a gamble that doesn’t always pay off, especially when other options might advance your board state or disrupt your opponent’s with the same investment.
Reasons to Include Tenured Oilcaster in Your Collection
Versatility: Tenured Oilcaster showcases its adaptability by comfortably fitting into artifact-centric and spell-slinger decks alike. Its ability to transform noncreature spells into fuel for future plays makes it a valuable asset across various strategies.
Combo Potential: With its unique mechanic of converting spells into energy counters that can be used to power other abilities, Tenured Oilcaster opens up synergy with energy-themed cards and other combos within the energy counter framework.
Meta-Relevance: As the game’s environment shifts, Tenured Oilcaster remains pertinent. Its utility thrives in a meta that favors longer games and intricate interactions, allowing players to maximize value from each spell cast.
How to Beat Tenured Oilcaster
Effectively countering Tenured Oilcaster in Magic: The Gathering requires careful strategy given its ability to impact the board significantly. The card itself, with its unique mechanic of offering trinkets — small artifacts with subtle benefits — makes it a target worth removing quickly. To dismantle its advantage, prioritizing direct removal spells such as Murder or Doom Blade can be key actions. It eliminates the Oilcaster before it starts generating value.
Moreover, applying pressure and tempo can ensure that the Tenured Oilcaster never gets a foothold. Utilize aggressive creatures and spells that disrupt your opponent’s plans, aiming to keep them on the back foot. If the Oilcaster is already in play, turning to enchantments like Pacifism or broader answers like board wipes — Wrath of God or Damnation — can nullify its influence while resetting the board.
In the realm of resource contention, denying your opponent the mana or turns needed to take full advantage of Tenured Oilcaster is vital. Counter spells, land destruction, or freezing their mana development can hinder their ability to leverage the Oilcaster’s potential. By keeping these strategies in mind, you can keep this powerful card from dominating the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tenured Oilcaster MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Tenured Oilcaster 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tenured Oilcaster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tenured Oilcaster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-14 | Tenured Oilcaster’s second ability will apply if any opponent has eight or more cards in their graveyard, not necessarily all of them. |