Gnome-Made Engine MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Host Artifact Creature — Construct
Released	2017-12-08
Set symbol
Set name	Unstable
Set code	UST
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	148
Frame	2015
Layout	Host
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Sean Murray
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Gnome-Made Engine grants card advantage by placing artifact creature tokens directly on the battlefield.
It accelerates resources, offering strategic benefits through artifact count and synergies.
The ability to play at instant speed allows for strategic deployment and game pacing control.

Text of card

When this creature enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 colorless Gnome artifact creature token.

Card Pros

Deep diving into the strengths of Gnome-Made Engine, players will immediately notice an array of strategic advantages it brings to the table. Let’s explore what makes this card a must-have in your arsenal.

Card Advantage: Gnome-Made Engine is a versatile addition to your MTG deck, offering the sought-after card advantage. By generating artifact creature tokens, it effectively places more cards directly onto the battlefield. This process strengthens your position, providing you with additional options for future maneuvers, and potentially overwhelming your opponents with superior numbers.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers an impressive level of resource acceleration. Every artifact creature token it creates can be utilized in various ways, such as enhancing synergies with other cards that thrive on artifact count or being sacrificed for various effects. This creates a solid foundation for ramping up your resources, giving you a head start on executing your strategy.

Instant Speed: The capability of playing Gnome-Made Engine at instant speed means that you can wait patiently for the perfect moment. Keep your opponents guessing as you hold up mana for possible interaction, and deploy your artifact creature tokens when it’s most beneficial – whether that’s at the end of your opponent’s turn, in response to an action, or just when the timing is right to surprise an adversary. This flexibility can prove pivotal in the pacing and control of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gnome-Made Engine demands that you discard a card to capitalize on its abilities. This prerequisite can be counterproductive when your hand is already depleted, forcing you to choose between maintaining card advantage or activating its potential.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires a distinct combination of mana, including both generic and red mana, to cast. Such a requirement can sometimes be restrictive, only fitting seamlessly into decks already aligning with those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to get Gnome-Made Engine into play is not insignificant. When comparing its casting cost with other artifacts or engine cards in the game, it becomes evident that there might be alternatives that offer similar or increased value for less mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gnome-Made Engine stands out due to its flexible nature, able to slot into a variety of decks. Its capability to create creature tokens measures up well with strategies inclined towards token generation or artifact synergy.

Combo Potential: As a card that reliably produces artifact tokens, Gnome-Made Engine can be a keystone for combos leveraging artifact-centric synergies and sacrifice mechanics for game-winning potential.

Meta-Relevance: Given its inherent resilience and the current tilt towards artifact and engine-based strategies, Gnome-Made Engine’s relevance in the meta cannot be overstated, contributing to its demand among players looking for an edge.

How to beat

Gnome-Made Engine presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This artifact creature can be quite the workhorse, providing players with consistent artifact creature tokens. Understanding the versatility and resilience of Gnome-Made Engine is key to formulating a winning strategy against it.

Firstly, consider the role of artifact removal in your deck. Cards like Abrade or Disenchant that can target nonland permanents are effective ways to handle Gnome-Made Engine before its ability to create tokens overwhelms you. Control decks might rely on countermagic such as Negate to prevent it from hitting the table in the first place. Moreover, playing around its activated ability is essential; don’t allow your opponent the chance to build a significant presence on the board.

Remember, timing is crucial. Players should also look for opportunities to disrupt synergies and combos that make Gnome-Made Engine especially potent. Strategic removal of key combo pieces or applying pressure with rapid aggro strategies can shift the game in your favor. Lastly, don’t underestimate the importance of board sweepers; a well-timed Wrath of God or Shatterstorm can reset the game state and give you the upper hand.

Cards like Gnome-Made Engine

The Gnome-Made Engine card introduces an inventive twist to the assembly line of creature cards in MTG. Analogous to this card is Myr Sire, which also produces a creature token upon its departure from the battlefield. However, Gnome-Made Engine’s novelty lies in its modular capability, allowing it to manufacture a variety of token creatures depending on the resources you invest.

Looking to other relative cards, such as Hangarback Walker, there’s a similar token production strategy, but it leans more towards scaling with +1/+1 counters and has an affinity for aerial tokens. Conversely, the Gnome-Made Engine offers more versatile token options, despite lacking the Walker’s explosive potential upon its exit. Then we have Pentavus, which operates as a token generator powerhouse with an extensive mana reservoir, though its entry cost eclipses that of the more budget-friendly Gnome-Made Engine.

Therefore, it’s evident that when it comes to selecting a versatile and cost-efficient token-producing card, Gnome-Made Engine stands out for its unique choices and flexibility in game strategies for avid MTG players and deck constructors alike.

Cards similar to Gnome-Made Engine by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gnome-Made Engine MTG card by a specific set like Unstable, 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 Gnome-Made Engine and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Gnome-Made Engine card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.