Toolcraft Exemplar MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 32s
2016-09-30 - Number 32
2020-11-12 - Number 35
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dwarf Artificer |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you control an artifact, Toolcraft Exemplar gets +2/+1 until end of turn. If you control three or more artifacts, it also gains first strike until end of turn.
"If you wish to produce the finest work, you must start with the finest tools."
Cards like Toolcraft Exemplar
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Toolcraft Exemplar stands out within the collection of one-drop creatures. This card shines in artifact-centric decks, much like Thraben Inspector. Both create an impact early in the game, but Toolcraft Exemplar brings an aggressive edge with its potential to become a mighty 3/2 attacker on turn two. Thraben Inspector, offering a clue token for card advantage, is more subtle and less about raw power.
Another close relative in terms of synergy with artifacts is Inventor’s Apprentice, a creature that also gets a boost in the presence of artifacts, although its increase to a 2/3 is less potent compared to Toolcraft Exemplar’s bonus. On a different but related note, Bomat Courier synergizes with artifacts by potentially refilling your hand, albeit it fills a slightly different role in those builds by being more suited for card draw rather than brute force.
Through this lens, Toolcraft Exemplar is a competitive choice for players looking to pack a punch early on, especially when paired with other cards that allow it to exhibit its full strength swiftly. It deserves a prominent spot in aggressive strategies that revolve around artifacts and showcases the dynamic capabilities of single-mana creatures in the game.
Cards similar to Toolcraft Exemplar by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Toolcraft Exemplar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 | |
 | 4c Midrange | Pioneer | 4c Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-03-31 |
 | Boros Rally | Pioneer | Naya Dwarves | UOL MKM Pioneer League |
| Boros Dwarves | Pioneer | Boros Dwarves | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-12-19 (1) |
 | Boros Aggro | Pioneer | Boros Aggro | Pioneer League 2023-12-18 |
| Boros Convoke | Pioneer | Boros Convoke | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-12-05 (1) |
| Azorius Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Selesnya Vehicles | Pioneer | Selesnya Vehicles | F2F Tour Championship - Toronto Round 4 (Regional Championship) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Toolcraft Exemplar doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its synergy with artifact-heavy decks can lead to indirect card advantage. By encouraging the deployment of artifacts that can draw you cards or create token creatures, this card underpins strategies that help you outpace your opponent in resources.
Resource Acceleration: Toolcraft Exemplar itself acts as a potent accelerator in the right deck. By bolstering your battlefield presence early on, it can apply pressure and demand answers quickly. This one-drop creature can become a significant threat, maximizing the utility of each artifact you control, making each draw more impactful.
Instant Speed: While Toolcraft Exemplar operates at sorcery speed, its ability to potentially become a 3/2 on your combat phase incentivizes instant-speed play. Holding back artifacts to be played in the last moment before combat or responding to your attacks with instant-speed artifact spells can swing the game in your favor, making this card a lynchpin in fast-paced and reactive strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Toolcraft Exemplar requires a strategy built around artifacts to truly shine. Without a consistent presence of artifacts on the board, you might not be able to exploit its full potential, making it less effective in decks not dedicated to this theme.
Specific Mana Cost: Being a white card, Toolcraft Exemplar necessitates a mana base that can reliably support white mana early in the game. This may restrict deck-building options, as you’ll need to factor in the necessity of having white mana sources available from the first turn.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its mana cost is not high in absolute terms, dedicating your first turn to casting Toolcraft Exemplar can put you at a disadvantage if you don’t have an artifact to play soon after. In a fast-paced game, there might be other one-mana creatures that offer immediate impact without requiring additional board presence to be effective.
Reasons to Include Toolcraft Exemplar in Your Collection
Versatility: Toolcraft Exemplar is a solid choice for any aggressive deck build, especially in formats like Modern or Pioneer where artifact synergy is prevalent. Its ability to become a considerable threat from turn two makes it adaptable for various play styles.
Combo Potential: With its ability to scale in power and toughness based on artifact control, Toolcraft Exemplar can be a linchpin in decks that capitalize on artifact combinations. Pairing it with cheap artifacts or tokens can turn it into a formidable creature very quickly.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and high impact in games where speed is crucial, Toolcraft Exemplar maintains its relevance in metas that favor aggressive strategies. It works seamlessly in artifact-centric decks that continue to make a significant impact on competitive play.
How to beat
Confronting a Toolcraft Exemplar on the battlefield can be challenging given its potential to quickly escalate in power. This card thrives in artifact-heavy decks, gaining strength as more artifacts come into play. Combatting this swiftly can be the key to turning the tide in your favor. Removal spells that can target creatures at low cost, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, are effective means of eliminating the Exemplar before it becomes too large of a threat.
Another strategy to undermine Toolcraft Exemplar is to limit the number of artifacts your opponent has control over. Cards that can swiftly deal with multiple artifacts, like Shatterstorm or By Force, can significantly weaken the Exemplar’s influence. Additionally, utilizing sweepers like Wrath of God can clear the board of the Exemplar along with other potential threats, effectively resetting the battlefield.
Ultimately, speed is crucial when dealing with the Exemplar. Acting swiftly with removal or artifact disruption can prevent this potent card from leveraging its full potential and becoming an overwhelming force on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Toolcraft Exemplar MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh Promos and Kaladesh, 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 Toolcraft Exemplar 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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Printings
The Toolcraft Exemplar Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Zezhou Chen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh Promos | PKLD | 32s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen | |
| 2 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen | |
| 3 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Toolcraft Exemplar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Toolcraft Exemplar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | If you control no artifacts as your combat phase begins, Toolcraft Exemplar's triggered ability doesn't trigger at all. If you control no artifacts as the triggered ability resolves, it has no effect. |
| 2016-09-20 | Whether or not you control three or more artifacts is checked only as the triggered ability resolves. |