Soldevi Machinist MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard Artificer
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Soldevi Machinist excels at card draw and accessing key deck components swiftly.
  2. Offers unique mana ramp, untapping artifacts for multifold plays within a turn.
  3. Enables surprise tactics by rejuvenating artifacts at instant speed during any turn.

Text of card

oc T: Add two colorless mana to your mana pool. This mana may only be used to pay the activation cost of an artifact. Play this ability as an interrupt.

"Perhaps this time the power of the artificers shall be used wisely." —Arcum Dagsson, Soldevi Machinist


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Soldevi Machinist’s ability may seem modest at first glance, but experienced players understand the utility of such a card in specialized decks. It can be an enabler for artifact-based strategies that transform cards in hand or on the battlefield into a dominating position. This MTG card seals its worth by assisting players to cycle through their deck and get to the vital pieces they need for their game-winning combos.

Resource Acceleration: When it comes to ramping up your resources, Soldevi Machinist offers a unique kind of acceleration. It can effectively untap artifacts that could be used multiple times within the same turn. This facilitates a surge of potential energy, allowing plays that can propel you ahead of your opponent with increased mana availability — a crucial strategy for any MTG veteran looking to outpace their competition.

Instant Speed: While Soldevi Machinist itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it does allow for instant-speed shenanigans with other cards. By untapping artifacts when they are least expected, this MTG card can provide an unexpected burst of mana or re-enable an artifact’s ability when your opponent is least prepared, often during their turn. This holds your adversaries on their toes and maintains an edge in timing and resource allocation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Soldevi Machinist necessitates a sacrifice of an artifact to be tapped, which means that you’re consistently depleting your board presence and potential resources to fuel its ability. This discard requirement may force you to make difficult decisions, particularly if artifacts are central to your deck’s strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Soldevi Machinist requires a combination of generic and blue mana, which makes it a less flexible option for multicolor decks that may not prioritize blue mana or have the means to generate it easily.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Soldevi Machinist can be a useful source of blue mana, its own cost of three mana (two generic, one blue) could be considered steep given that it doesn’t impact the board immediately upon being played. Players may find other mana generators or artifacts that offer more immediate value or have a lower casting cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Soldevi Machinist can be integrated into a range of decks, particularly those seeking an efficient mana accelerator for artifact-centric plays. Its ability to untap artifacts provides a tactical advantage in setting up pivotal game turns.

Combo Potential: This card has the inherent potential to synergize with multiple artifact-based combos. It can contribute to an engine that perpetuates a cycle of artifact manipulation, unlocking new levels of strategy and surprise moves against your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates indirect advantage and subtle control, Soldevi Machinist’s functionalities can disrupt opponents’ tactics or accelerate your own, adapting well to slow and deliberate matches that reward strategic play over time.


How to beat

Soldevi Machinist may not be the most formidable card in the MTG arsenal, yet it holds a strategic edge with its ability to untap target artifact during your turn. Key to overcoming Soldevi Machinist lies in disrupting the synergy it creates with other artifacts. Without support, this creature’s usefulness diminishes sharply. Controlling the board with removal spells or abilities can easily neutralize the Machinist and its potential combo pieces. Consider employing instant-speed interaction or recurring removal to keep the artifacts—or the Machinist itself—off the battlefield. It pays to stay one step ahead, so keep an eye out for potential artifact synergies your opponent may try to set up and disrupt them before the Machinist can become a linchpin in their strategy.

Remember that Soldevi Machinist requires a bit of setup to become truly effective. Direct removal spells like “Murder” or broader “Boardwipes” like “Wrath of God” can easily handle the creature. Also, strategies that limit the abilities of creatures or artifacts will nullify the advantage Soldevi Machinist brings to the table. In short, maintain control of the game flow and be vigilant of the machinations behind the Machinist’s presence, and you’ll dismantle the challenge it presents.


Cards like Soldevi Machinist

Soldevi Machinist stands as a specialized utility creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. When considering other cards with a similar role, Apprentice Wizard often comes to mind. Both Soldevi Machinist and Apprentice Wizard provide a significant boost to your mana pool, ramping up your ability to cast more expensive spells sooner in the game. While the Machinist requires a tap and two colorless mana to provide three colorless mana, Apprentice Wizard offers a slightly different dynamic, tapping to grant three blue mana with no additional cost.

Analogous to Soldevi Machinist is Alloy Myr, which also taps for one mana of any color. Though not quite as potent in terms of raw mana generation, the versatility of Alloy Myr’s mana production can be crucial in multicolor decks. Moreover, Palladium Myr is a notable comparison, tapping for two colorless mana. This Myr has a higher mana yield than the Soldevi Machinist without any upfront cost, providing a steadier ramp despite its higher casting cost.

While each card has its own merits and particular scenarios where it shines, Soldevi Machinist finds its niche within decks that benefit from the specific type of colorless mana acceleration it provides, establishing it as a potential asset in the right MTG strategy.

Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Palladium Myr - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Alloy Myr - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Palladium Myr - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Soldevi Machinist by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Sage - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Lord of Atlantis - Wizards Play Network 2024 (PW24)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Soldevi Sage - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Soldevi Machinist MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition IV, 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 Soldevi Machinist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Soldevi Machinist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 1021993normalblackJeff A. Menges
22011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 631997normalblackJeff A. Menges

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Soldevi Machinist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-08-01 Mana from the ability can only be spent on activation costs for abilities from artifacts. It can’t be spent on artifact spells, or on costs resulting from triggered abilities.

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