Tinker MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 45
2000-08-02 - Number jf45
2009-08-28 - Number 14
2019-11-07 - Number 527
2020-09-26 - Number ULG-45
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
At the time you play Tinker, sacrifice an artifact. Search your library for an artifact card and put that artifact into play. Shuffle your library afterward.
"I wonder how it feels to be bored." —Jhoira, artificer
Cards like Tinker
Tinker, a renowned card in Magic: The Gathering, propels players into the action by allowing them to swap a non-token artifact they control for another artifact card from their deck and put it directly onto the battlefield. This mirrors the mechanical theme found in Reshape, which also exchanges artifacts with the added step of paying the mana cost of the new artifact. Tinker, however, bypasses this step entirely, potentially unleashing powerful artifacts early in the game.
Transmute Artifact also shares the artifact tutoring ability but is more restrictive; requiring the player to both pay the difference in mana cost between the artifacts and sacrifice an artifact as part of the cost. This makes Tinker a compelling choice for its mana cost-efficiency. Kuldotha Forgemaster offers a different angle – a repeatable similar effect as Tinker, though it’s an activated ability attached to a creature and necessitates tapping and sacking three artifacts, making it a slower, albeit more sustainable option.
Comparing these alternatives showcases Tinker’s unique capability of cheating in high-value artifacts at an early stage, placing it as a potentially game-changing card within the artifact manipulation space of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Tinker by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Tinker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Oath of Druids | Vintage | Oath of Druids | Vintage League 2024-05-06 |
| Jewel Shops | Vintage | Jewel Shops | Vintage League 2024-05-05 |
| Oops! All Spells | Vintage | Oops! All Spells | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-05-09 |
| Esper Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage League 2024-05-07 |
| Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage | Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage League 2024-05-06 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tinker significantly alters the battlefield by allowing you to swap a less valuable artifact for a more impactful one, directly from your deck. This swap can instantly tip the scales in your favor and is an incredible source of card advantage as it bypasses mana costs and normal casting restrictions.
Resource Acceleration: By swapping out a low-cost artifact, Tinker effectively accelerates your resources, allowing for the deployment of high-impact artifacts much earlier than usual. This can lead to game-winning scenarios as you deploy threats that opponents are not ready to handle.
Instant Speed: While Tinker itself does not operate at instant speed, the strategic planning and the immediate effect of its resolution feels like a decisive instant-speed interaction. It allows players to immediately present a threat or answer specific board states in a single, transformational turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tinker demands that you sacrifice an artifact as part of the casting cost, which could set you back if your board presence relies heavily on artifact synergy or if your artifact count is low.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires both generic and blue mana to cast, making it a potential challenge for multicolored decks to accommodate without the right mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Tinker’s effect is powerful, its combined total cost of three mana, including one blue, is significant and often competes with other impactful plays available at this stage of the game.
Reasons to Include Tinker in Your Collection
Versatility: Tinker offers unparalleled flexibility by fetching any artifact from your deck, enabling various deck-building choices and strategic depth.
Combo Potential: This card excels in setting up powerful artifact-based combos, seamlessly integrating with numerous synergies and key components vital to a combo’s execution.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where artifacts play a crucial role, Tinker’s ability to instantly access game-changing pieces makes it a persistent threat, aligning well with shifting metagames.
How to beat Tinker
Tinker is a notorious card in the arsenal of Magic: The Gathering players, often turning the tide of a game with its capacity to fetch any artifact directly onto the battlefield. However, formidable as it may be, there are strategies to dismantle a Tinker-centric game plan. Keeping the board clear of cheap expendable artifacts crushes the initial setup Tinker relies on, as it requires the player to sacrifice an artifact as part of its casting cost.
Similarly, counter spells are your staunch allies against Tinker. Timing a well-placed counterspell when Tinker is on the stack can nullify an opponent’s play, keeping the feared game-changing artifact in their library instead of on the field. Artifact removal, such as Shatter or Nature’s Claim, can swiftly deal with the aftermath if Tinker successfully resolves, mitigating the damage caused by the fetched artifact. Hand disruption is another angle to consider; by forcing opponents to discard Tinker before it can be used, you limit their capacity to alter the game state significantly.
Ultimately, while Tinker has the potential to be a powerhouse, knowing the card’s mechanics and maintaining control over the artifacts in play can keep this card from dominating the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tinker MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Tinker 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 Tinker Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 45 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe | |
| 2 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jf45 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Mike Raabe | |
| 3 | 2009-08-28 | From the Vault: Exiled | V09 | 14 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 527 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | ULG-45 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tinker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Banned |
| Legacy | Banned |
| Oathbreaker | Banned |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Restricted |
| Duel | Banned |
| Predh | Banned |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tinker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Because the “search” requires you to find a card with certain characteristics, you don’t have to find the card if you don’t want to. |