Thopter Engineer MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Human Artificer |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Thopter Engineer enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying onto the battlefield. Artifact creatures you control have haste. (They can attack and as soon as they come under your control.)
Cards like Thopter Engineer
Thopter Engineer holds a unique place in the heart of artifact aficionados within the MTG landscape. Nestled among fascinating creature cards that synergize with artifacts, this Engineer echoes the impact of cards like Pia and Kiran Nalaar. Both cards launch thopters onto the battlefield, but Thopter Engineer offers the added benefit of granting haste to all artifact creatures, accelerating the gameplay significantly.
Another peer in this artifact-centric category is Ghirapur Gearcrafter. While this crafty card also produces thopters, it lacks the haste-providing ability, making Thopter Engineer a superior choice for a swift offensive strategy. Conversely, Whirler Rogue not only produces thopters but can make a creature unblockable, a tactical advantage in certain plays. However, this doesn’t match the broad utility of haste across the board.
Truly, when examining the strengths of cards that interact with artifacts, Thopter Engineer stands out for its ability to instantly mobilize an army of artifacts, providing both a protective guard and a swift assault force in the complex ecosystem of MTG.
Cards similar to Thopter Engineer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Thopter Engineer doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it creates an additional 1/1 Thopter artifact creature token with flying when it enters the battlefield. This not only augments your battlefield presence but indirectly contributes to card efficiency by providing an extra blocker or attacker without the need for investing another card from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Thopter Engineer’s ability grants haste to other artifact creatures you control, which accelerates your gameplay by allowing your artifact threats to impact the board immediately. This capacity for swift, aggressive maneuvers can lead to surprising shifts in board state that your opponent might not be adequately prepared for.
Instant Speed: While Thopter Engineer itself isn’t an instant, its haste granting ability can work in tandem with other instant-speed artifacts or creature abilities. Being able to summon artifact creatures as though they have flash means Thopter Engineer enhances your ability to respond on the fly during your opponent’s turn, thereby increasing the element of surprise and tactical adaptability in your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Thopter Engineer card does not require a discard upon cast, but when considering deck synergy, its inclusion may dictate a playstyle or deck structure that could potentially lead to hand depletion, leaving players at a disadvantage if not strategically managed.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes one red mana, Thopter Engineer is tailored for red-inclusive decks, limiting its versatility primarily to red or multicolored decks that can accommodate its color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Thopter Engineer delivers value by granting artifact creatures haste, its three mana casting cost can be steep compared to other cards that bolster board presence or offer utility at a lower cost, making it a less economic choice in the early game.
Reasons to Include Thopter Engineer in Your Collection
Versatility: Thopter Engineer is a versatile addition, with its ability to grant your artifact creatures haste, thereby enabling aggressive strategies and rapid board development in a variety of red-based decks.
Combo Potential: With Thopter Engineer in play, the 1/1 Thopter artifact creature token with flying it creates can interact with numerous combo pieces, serving as a catalyst for intricate combos, and synchronizing well within artifact-centric synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Against a backdrop where artifact decks are common, Thopter Engineer becomes particularly relevant as it accelerates your board presence and can tip the scales in your favor during gameplay.
How to beat
Thopter Engineer is a versatile creature that can have a significant impact on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. By providing both haste to your other artifact creatures and a thopter upon entering the battlefield, it sets up immediate threats that opponents must address. These capabilities make Thopter Engineer a card you’d want to neutralize or outpace swiftly.
To effectively handle this card, players should consider removal spells that can target creatures as soon as they hit the field, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. Board wipes like Shatterstorm also prove efficient, especially since Thopter Engineer often signals a deck teeming with artifacts. Speed is crucial; dealing with it before a multitude of thopters take over the game is paramount. Another strategy is outpacing your opponent with aggressive creatures or leveraging control tactics to diminish the impact of their artifacts, slowing them to a manageable speed.
Understanding and anticipating the synergies within artifact-centric decks will prepare players to face Thopter Engineer more effectively. With the right mix of prompt removal, strategic planning, and pace control, players can mitigate the advantages granted by this ingenious inventor and her mechanical creations on the battlefield.
BurnMana Recommendations
The art of mastering MTG involves strategic deck construction, understanding the nuances of each card, and recognizing how to disrupt your opponent’s plans. With Thopter Engineer in your arsenal, you bolster your capacity to execute an aggressive strategy while maintaining flexibility. Delve deeper into the world of MTG and uncover how to enhance your artifact gameplay tactics. Enhancing your collection to include synergetic cards ensures your deck not only competes with vigor but adapts with ease to an ever-evolving meta. For more insights into building a dynamic deck featuring Thopter Engineer, join the BurnMana community and optimize your gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thopter Engineer MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Commander 2018, 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 Thopter Engineer 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Thopter Engineer Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 165 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
2 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
3 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 147 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
4 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thopter Engineer has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |