Tyrant's Machine MTG Card

Continuous control over creatures enhances your ability to dictate combat and protect your position. Tap opposing threats at instant speed, surprising opponents and disrupting their strategy effectively. Despite its cost, Tyrant’s Machine is a versatile artifact that can be pivotal in many MTG decks.

Magic 2015 (M15)
2014-07-18 - Number 238

Battlebond (BBD)
2018-06-08 - Number 248

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact

Text of card

, : Tap target creature.

"Though tempered differently, all wills can be broken." —Inquisitor Kyrik

Cards like Tyrant's Machine

Tyrant’s Machine stands as a utility artifact in Magic: The Gathering with the power to lockdown opponents’ creatures. Comparable cards include Icy Manipulator, which offers a similar ability to tap a target artifact, creature, or land, though it demands more mana for activation. Unlike Icy’s broader range of targets, Tyrant’s Machine focuses solely on creatures, streamlining its control aspect.

Another kindred card is Pacification Array. It also taps a target artifact or creature for a smaller activation cost, increasing its early-game utility. However, Tyrant’s Machine is devoid of the flexibility to affect artifacts, narrowing its use case but not its effectiveness in creature-centric strategies. Bonds of Quicksilver is a card that showcases a permanent restrictive approach by tapping a creature without the possibility of untapping during the control phase unless removed, offering a more long-term solution at the cost of a one-time use.

Each of these artifacts brings a different form of tactical advantage to the table, reflecting the rich array of control tools available to players within Magic: The Gathering. Tyrant’s Machine exemplifies a focused approach, offering repeated creature disablement that can be essential in stalling enemy strategies.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tyrant’s Machine provides a continuous opportunity to keep opposing threats at bay, ensuring you can manage the battlefield effectively over multiple turns.

Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, it helps preserve valuable resources by providing a reusable form of control, enabling strategic plays without expending multiple cards from your hand.

Instant Speed: Although Tyrant’s Machine is an artifact that operates at sorcery speed, it brings an element of surprise and adaptability, allowing players to respond to threats during any phase of the game, as long as they have the required mana available.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tyrant’s Machine does not necessitate discarding cards, but the inability to do so could be seen as an inflexibility when considering strategic discards for potential benefits via other cards or effects within the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Although Tyrant’s Machine can fit into any deck due to its generic mana cost, the need to tap additional mana for its activation might not always align with a player’s mana curve strategy, especially in decks that focus on peaking performance at specific turns.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana investment for an ability that taps a single creature without causing it to untap during its controller’s next untap step, it might be seen as relatively costly in comparison with other control options available that provide more value or greater control over the board state.

Reasons to Include Tyrant’s Machine in Your Collection

Versatility: Tyrant’s Machine is a flexible artifact that provides utility in a wide array of MTG decks. With the ability to tap any target creature, it helps manage threats on the board irrespective of the deck you’re playing.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines in scenarios where tapping creatures can work to your advantage. Its synergy with cards that benefit from creatures being tapped or artifacts being activated can open the door to powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, having Tyrant’s Machine can be a game-changer. It acts as a form of control to keep potential blockers or attackers in check, maintaining a balance even when facing off against the most aggressive of creatures.

How to Beat

Tyrant’s Machine stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a utility artifact that can lock down opposing creatures. This function shares similarities with cards like Icy Manipulator, which also allows a player to tap a target creature. However, Tyrant’s Machine requires both the card’s activation cost and tapping, while Icy Manipulator only necessitates tapping. This makes the Machine a bit slower in tempo plays.

To effectively counter cards like Tyrant’s Machine, consider strategies that focus on untapping your creatures or utilizing abilities that are not affected by being tapped. Swiftfoot Boots and Lightning Greaves can equip your creatures to protect them against such tapping strategies. Alternatively, spells that destroy artifacts directly, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, can remove Tyrant’s Machine from the battlefield, clearing the way for your creatures to press the attack.

Understanding the nuances of Tyrant’s Machine, as well as employing direct and indirect tactics to mitigate its effects, can streamline your path to victory. This includes adjusting your game plan around the obstacles posed by tapping artifacts, thereby cushioning your strategy against potential control elements posed by your opponents in the game of Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tyrant's Machine MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Battlebond, 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 Tyrant's Machine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tyrant's Machine Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2014-07-18	Magic 2015	M15		238	2015	Normal	Black	Yeong-Hao Han
2	2018-06-08	Battlebond	BBD		248	2015	Normal	Black	Yeong-Hao Han

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tyrant's Machine has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal