Voltaic Servant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Released | 2018-04-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria |
| Set code | DOM |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 236 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jonas De Ro |
Text of card
At the beginning of your end step, untap target artifact.
A missing piece in search of a puzzle.
Cards like Voltaic Servant
Voltaic Servant is an intriguing artifact creature that brings a unique twist to utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to untap another target artifact during your end step positions it alongside creatures and spells that manipulate untap mechanics. One comparable card is Clock of Omens, which allows you to untap artifacts as well, though at the price of tapping two artifacts you control, offering a more flexible but potentially more resource-intensive alternative.
Then we have Unwinding Clock, which shares the end step untap theme but, unlike Voltaic Servant, it untaps all your artifacts. This card’s broader scope can lead to more powerful plays but it does come with a higher mana cost reflecting its greater potential impact on the game. It shows that while Voltaic Servant has a narrower effect, it is also accessible for a lower investment.
To fully appreciate Voltaic Servant’s place in MTG, it’s important to consider how this card can interact with others and impact the game’s dynamics. Its consistency and the ease of integrating it into artifact-heavy decks make it an attractive option for players looking to reliably untap key pieces and maintain momentum throughout the match.
Cards similar to Voltaic Servant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Voltaic Servant doesn’t directly grant card advantage but pairs well with artifacts that draw cards upon entering the battlefield or being untapped, thereby indirectly contributing to your card flow.
Resource Acceleration: The ability of Voltaic Servant to untap another target artifact at the end of your turn can be utilized for resource acceleration. This can be particularly effective with mana rocks or other artifacts that produce mana, effectively doubling their usage each turn cycle.
Instant Speed: While the Servant itself is not an instant-speed spell, its untapping ability can free up mana-generating artifacts or other vital pieces at the end of your turn, allowing for instant-speed interactions on your opponents’ turns, and keeping up the pace in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the context of Voltaic Servant, though it may not directly require discarding, its presence in hand over potentially more impactful cards could indirectly pressure a player to opt for discarding strategies, potentially hindering hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Voltaic Servant demands two generic mana, which, despite its flexibility, makes it less attractive in a mana curve where every bit of efficiency counts, especially in artifact-centric decks seeking to capitalize on lower costs or synergistic color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of two, which may not seem exorbitant, the Servant’s ability to untap another artifact during each player’s untap step could be seen as an underwhelming return on investment when measured against other cards that serve similar functions or offer more robust interactions for a similar, or even lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Voltaic Servant in Your Collection
Versatility: Voltaic Servant proves to be a flexible piece in artifact-based decks, providing utility by untapping other artifacts during your end step. This can be especially useful for reusing mana rocks or other utility artifacts for an advantage.
Combo Potential: This card shines in its ability to combo with cards like Traxos, Scourge of Kroog, where it can consistently untap the legendary construct, ensuring it’s ready for combat or other tap abilities without the usual restrictions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors artifact strategies or where vigilance-like effects are valuable, Voltaic Servant can be a low-cost addition offering both offensive and defensive benefits. It can also serve as a deterrent by maintaining a ready blocker on your opponents’ turns.
How to beat
Voltaic Servant is a unique artifact creature that resets other artifacts during your end step in Magic: The Gathering. This ability can create repeatable synergies in artifact-heavy decks, effectively doubling their usage. To counter this mechanical minion, consider efficient removal spells like Fatal Push or Abrade that can dispatch it without requiring significant resource investment on your part.
Artifact hate cards like Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe can significantly diminish the impact of Voltaic Servant by preventing artifact activations altogether. In more aggressive decks, simply applying pressure and presenting a clock can often overshadow the incremental value Voltaic Servant provides. Prioritizing threats and managing board presence will generally lead you to overcome decks relying on such synergy pieces.
Although Voltaic Servant can be an engine for some complex setups, pinpoint disruption or overwhelming tempo could thwart the plans it sets in motion. Understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s game plan versus advancing your own is key to mastering games against artifact-centric strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Voltaic Servant MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria, 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 Voltaic Servant 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Voltaic Servant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Voltaic Servant card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | Voltaic Servant’s ability can target an artifact creature, including itself. |