Weldfast Monitor MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 238
2020-11-12 - Number 275
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Lizard |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
: Weldfast Monitor gains menace until end of turn.
The avant-garde among Ghirapur's inventors disregard the Consulate's safety standards completely.
Cards like Weldfast Monitor
Weldfast Monitor is a versatile creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can be an asset in artifact-centric decks. When looking at cards like Snare Thopter, both share the ability to become a threatening presence quickly due to haste. Weldfast Monitor, however, can gain a combat advantage by spending mana to acquire menace, making it harder for an opponent to block effectively. This can be quite impactful in situations where board control is key.
Analogous to Weldfast Monitor in its utility is the Foundry Screecher. While the screecher also benefits from an artifact-based strategy by gaining flying, it doesn’t offer the adaptability that comes from the Monitor’s menace ability. The capacity to alter combat dynamics makes Weldfast Monitor a more dynamic choice in certain scenarios.
Additionally, Filigree Familiar can be a contender in discussions of artifact creatures with practical uses. It provides immediate life gain and the potential for card draw upon death, but it does not directly influence combat like Weldfast Monitor can with its abilities. Each of these cards offers something unique to a player’s strategy, yet Weldfast Monitor stands out for its aggressive and flexible combat tactics in the realm of artifact creatures.
Cards similar to Weldfast Monitor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: In the realm of card flow, Weldfast Monitor has the potential to be a sleeper hit. While it doesn’t explicitly draw cards, it encourages a build-around strategy in artifact-centric decks. This can result in drawing extra cards through other synergistic effects or simply being a reliable threat that demands an answer.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct means of ramping, Weldfast Monitor fits nicely into decks that operate on a strategy of artifact recursion. It can be reused from the graveyard or brought back into your hand, thus playing into themes of artifact recovery which indirectly accelerate your resource availability.
Instant Speed: Operating at sorcery speed, Weldfast Monitor might not provide the reactive utility of an instant-speed card. However, its ability to become an artifact at will complements strategies that require untapped artifacts during an opponent’s turn, potentially unlocking extra value and tactical surprise within artifact-interactive decks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Weldfast Monitor can put players at a disadvantage if it necessitates discarding cards to unlock its full potential—especially when the hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: With a specific mana requirement rooted in red, Weldfast Monitor may not easily slot into various deck archetypes, particularly those that are not aligned with its color identity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its mana cost, this artifact creature sometimes falls short when compared to other cards at similar or lower mana values, potentially leading players to seek more cost-efficient alternatives for their decks.
Reasons to Include Weldfast Monitor in Your Collection
Versatility: Weldfast Monitor is particularly flexible within artifact and red aggro decks. Its ability to transform into an artifact creature ensures a tactical advantage on the battlefield versatile enough to shift roles dependent on the situation.
Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with artifact-centric strategies is notable. Players can exploit its transformational feature to activate abilities that require artifact permanents, enriching the interactions and dynamics of combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and adaptability, Weldfast Monitor holds its ground in a variety of meta environments. It functions well against an assortment of decks, which makes it a solid inclusion for players looking to enhance their strategies without compromising on speed or efficiency.
How to beat
Weldfast Monitor is an unassuming creature card that slips into many MTG artifact-centered decks. Its ability to become unblockable for one mana can catch an opponent off guard, making it an excellent card for chipping away at an adversary’s life total. However, overcoming this mechanical lizard is not a daunting task with the right strategy.
Removal spells are the simplest solution. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently take care of the Monitor before it becomes unblockable. For decks not running black or white, consider using burn spells like Lightning Bolt or Abrade to achieve the same result. It’s also worth noting that Weldfast Monitor requires mana investment to become unblockable. This makes it susceptible to counterplay during your opponent’s turn, as they might tap out to activate its ability, leaving them open for instant-speed interaction from you.
To sum it up, with careful management of removal spells or timing your instant-speed interactions, Weldfast Monitor can be handled effectively. It’s key to anticipate the threat before it becomes unblockable, ensuring it never gets a chance to deliver its mechanical bite.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Weldfast Monitor MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Weldfast Monitor 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 Weldfast Monitor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Jakub Kasper.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 275 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Weldfast Monitor 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 Weldfast Monitor 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 | Multiple instances of menace on the same creature are redundant. |
| 2016-09-20 | Once a creature has blocked Weldfast Monitor, gaining menace won't cause Weldfast Monitor to become unblocked. |