Marionette Master MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Artificer
Abilities Fabricate
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Marionette Master generates token-based card advantage, enhancing both swarm and artifact synergy strategies.
  2. With fabricate and passive abilities, it excels in resource acceleration and turning artifacts into life-sapping tools.
  3. Though powerful, careful planning is needed to mitigate its discard requirement and specific mana cost constraints.

Text of card

Fabricate 3 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put three +1/+1 counters on it or create three 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature tokens.) Whenever an artifact you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, target opponent loses life equal to Marionette Master's power.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Marionette Master excels in generating card advantage by creating Servo tokens upon entry, which can be leveraged for various strategic moves within the game. It aids in overwhelming opponents with sheer volume but also synergizes well with artifact-centric decks, paving the way to converting those Servo tokens into valuable card draws or other beneficial actions.

Resource Acceleration: This card has the capacity to accelerate your resource management through its Fabricate ability, helping not only to establish a board presence but also, potentially, to ramp up your mana reserves if combined with other cards that turn Servos or artifacts into mana sources. Moreover, its passive ability can turn any artifact loss into a source of opponent life reduction, effectively turning every resource into a dual-threat tactic.

Instant Speed: While Marionette Master itself isn’t an instant, the ability to utilize it at near-instant speed can be unlocked through flash-enabling cards. This flexibility allows you to deploy the card at the most opportune moment, making it a surprise element that can shift the game’s momentum or disrupt your opponent’s calculated moves, all while keeping them on their toes for an unexpected strike.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Marionette Master card necessitates discarding a card upon activation, potentially putting you at a disadvantage if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: With its specific need for black mana, this card may not seamlessly fit into all decks, especially in a format boasting a multitude of multi-colored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring six mana to cast, the Marionette Master can be a late-game play; other options may provide quicker board presence or effects at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Marionette Master in Your Collection

Versatility: Marionette Master fits seamlessly into artifact-centric decks or those featuring sacrifice mechanics. Its ability to create Servo tokens can also bolster strategies focused on token generation or swarm tactics.

Combo Potential: With its fabricate ability, Marionette Master can either create a number of artifact creatures or boost its own power. Either choice opens the door for deadly combinations, especially with its ability to inflict loss of life when an artifact you control is put into a graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: In an MTG environment that values artifacts or direct damage, Marionette Master can swing the game in your favor. Its presence in your deck ensures opponents must think twice about their moves, given its powerful synergy with other commonly played artifacts and its ability to quickly reduce an opponent’s life total.


How to beat

The Marionette Master card is a compelling force in MTG due to its fabricate ability and the potential life loss it can cause an opponent when an artifact you control is put into a graveyard. To outmaneuver this strategy, focus on preventing the Master from hitting the battlefield. Counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter are perfect for this task. If the card does come into play, be ready to remove it quickly. Instant-speed removals such as Murder or Fatal Push can be invaluable for maintaining control.

Additionally, managing the board to limit the number of artifacts is advised. Employ artifact removal spells like Abrade or Shatter to disrupt synergy. It’s also critical to watch your own artifact count if they’re part of your strategy, as sacrificing them carelessly could accelerate your loss. Lastly, maintaining a healthy life total and employing lifegain strategies can help mitigate the incremental damage dealt by Marionette Master’s ability and give you more time to find an answer to this persistent threat.


BurnMana Recommendations

Whether you’re weighing the pros and cons of Marionette Master or seeking ways to incorporate this powerful card into your deck, always consider the diverse strategies it enables. From generating card advantage to dictating the pace of resource acceleration, the Master can be a pivotal inclusion in your collection. Artifact and combo decks, in particular, may benefit significantly from its versatile abilities. If you’re intrigued by the complex play styles Marionette Master supports or want to know more about managing its challenges, we encourage you to delve deeper. Learn how this card can master the art of control in your MTG matches by visiting BurnMana for comprehensive insights and strategies.


Cards like Marionette Master

Marionette Master is a unique card among fabricate creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Weaponcraft Enthusiast which also offers the fabricate ability for creating Servo tokens. Marionette Master’s distinct advantage lies in its potential for dealing massive damage when an artifact you control is put into a graveyard. While Weaponcraft Enthusiast primarily bolsters your creature army without direct damage capabilities.

Another card that echoes the synergy between artifacts and damage is Disciple of the Vault. Although it’s less costly than Marionette Master and the damage dealt is less per artifact, it can still be a recurring threat throughout the game. Comparatively, Marionette Master demands a higher mana investment, but in exchange, it provides a stronger impact with each artifact’s demise. Then there is Pia Nalaar, whose abilities revolve around artifact manipulation. She also interacts with artifacts but focuses on improving their combat capabilities rather than converting them into direct damage sources unlike Marionette Master.

Considering the strategic depth and interaction with artifacts, Marionette Master holds a significant place in decks aiming to harness the artifacts’ last stand. Its ability to turn the end of an artifact into an opponent’s life loss makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield.

Weaponcraft Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Disciple of the Vault - MTG Card versions
Pia Nalaar - MTG Card versions
Weaponcraft Enthusiast - Kaladesh (KLD)
Disciple of the Vault - Mirrodin (MRD)
Pia Nalaar - Kaladesh Promos (PKLD)

Cards similar to Marionette Master by color, type and mana cost

Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Demonic Hordes - MTG Card versions
Ihsan's Shade - MTG Card versions
Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Lancer - MTG Card versions
Face of Fear - MTG Card versions
Wire Surgeons - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions
Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions
Anurid Murkdiver - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Polluter - MTG Card versions
Nefashu - MTG Card versions
Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Deathcurse Ogre - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Bog Hoodlums - MTG Card versions
Helldozer - MTG Card versions
Nightmare - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Demonic Hordes - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Ihsan's Shade - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Necrosavant - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Dakmor Lancer - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Face of Fear - Odyssey (ODY)
Wire Surgeons - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Grave Titan - Fallout (PIP)
Chittering Harvester - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Crossway Troublemakers - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)
Anurid Murkdiver - Onslaught (ONS)
Gempalm Polluter - Legions (LGN)
Nefashu - Scourge (SCG)
Twisted Abomination - Scourge (SCG)
Iname, Death Aspect - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Deathcurse Ogre - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Yawgmoth Demon - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ascendant Evincar - Tenth Edition (10E)
Bog Hoodlums - Lorwyn (LRW)
Helldozer - Planechase (HOP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Marionette Master MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Promos, 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 Marionette Master and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Marionette Master Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by James Ryman.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 902015normalblackJames Ryman
22016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 90s2015normalblackJames Ryman
32020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 982015normalblackJames Ryman
42021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1022015normalblackJames Ryman
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1091997normalblackJames Ryman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Marionette Master has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-09-20 Artifact tokens that are sacrificed or destroyed are put into their owner's graveyard before ceasing to exist. If you controlled the token, Marionette Master's last ability will trigger.
2016-09-20 Fabricate doesn't cause the creature with the ability to enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters already on it. For example, Weaponcraft Enthusiast will enter the battlefield as a 0/1 creature, then its fabricate ability goes on the stack. Players may take actions (such as casting instants) while the ability is waiting to resolve.
2016-09-20 If Marionette Master and an artifact you control are put into a graveyard at the same time, Marionette Master's ability triggers.
2016-09-20 If Marionette Master's power is negative, the target opponent doesn't lose (or gain) life.
2016-09-20 If you can't put +1/+1 counters on the creature for any reason as fabricate resolves (for instance, if it's no longer on the battlefield), you just create Servo tokens.
2016-09-20 The amount of life lost is determined as Marionette Master's last ability resolves. If Marionette Master is no longer on the battlefield, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield to determine how much life is lost.
2016-09-20 You choose whether to put +1/+1 counters on the creature or create Servo tokens as the fabricate ability is resolving. No player may take actions between the time you choose and the time that counters are added or tokens are created.

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