Embraal Gear-Smasher MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Released	2017-01-20
Set symbol
Set name	Aether Revolt
Set code	AER
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	79
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Joseph Meehan

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by transforming excess artifacts into damage and potential draws.
Enables resource acceleration and versatility in artifact-centric decks.
Demands careful deck construction due to specific mana and artifact requirements.

Text of card

, Sacrifice an artifact: Embraal Gear-Smasher deals 2 damage to each opponent.

"A well-made wrench is a versatile, indispensable tool."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Embraal Gear-Smasher can present a unique card advantage by turning surplus artifacts into damage and potential card draw. By sacrificing an artifact, you can potentially unlock more draws from cards with effects that activate upon artifact destruction.

Resource Acceleration: In the right deck, this character plays well with decks that focus on artifacts, efficiently converting those into direct damage. The acceleration comes indirectly by clearing out your own board of unnecessary artifacts and making way for more impactful cards.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Embraal Gear-Smasher’s effect at will makes him a flexible addition to any deck. It means you can hold off on using the effect until the moment is just right, whether it’s at the end of your opponent’s turn, or in response to an action they take, keeping them always on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Embraal Gear-Smasher demands a player to sacrifice an artifact as part of its ability activation. This requirement can be a setback in gameplay, especially when artifact resources are scarce or more critical for other strategies within your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two specific red mana, Embraal Gear-Smasher may not be the most compatible option for multi-colored decks that do not heavily feature red mana sources. This makes it a situational pick dependent on the deck’s mana base compatibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Tapping at three mana with double red, this card’s cost may be seen as steep for its 2/3 body and ability. In aggressive red decks, where lowering the opponent’s life total quickly is paramount, there might be more impactful cards with similar or lower mana investments.

Reasons to Include Embraal Gear-Smasher in Your Collection

Versatility: Embraal Gear-Smasher offers a dynamic role in decks centered around artifacts. Its ability to sacrifice an artifact for direct damage allows for both offensive strategies and utility to remove pesky opponents’ creatures.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergizing with decks that produce a multitude of artifacts. Utilize it as a finisher or enabler in combo chains, where sacrificing artifacts can lead to game-winning turns.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that gravitates towards artifact-heavy decks, Embraal Gear-Smasher can be a cost-effective way to disrupt opponent strategies while advancing your board state. Its presence in your deck can adapt readily to the ever-shifting competitive landscape.

How to beat

Embraal Gear-Smasher presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in the Magic: The Gathering landscape. This card, known for its ability to sacrifice artifacts for direct damage, requires a strategic approach to overcome. One efficient tactic is to limit the number of artifacts available to your opponent. This can be achieved through the use of artifact removal spells or abilities, thereby restricting the fuel for Embraal Gear-Smasher’s ability. Cards like Abrade or Naturalize are excellent for this purpose as they can swiftly deal with problematic artifacts.

Maintaining a strong board presence is another way to diminish the impact of Embraal Gear-Smasher. By developing a formidable lineup of creatures, you can pressure opponents into using their artifacts for blocking rather than as ammunition for Embraal Gear-Smasher. Furthermore, creature buffs and protection spells can help ensure your creatures’ survival against the damage dealt by the Gear-Smasher, preserving your forces for a stronger offensive play.

Ultimately, handling Embraal Gear-Smasher efficiently comes down to controlling the flow of artifacts and maintaining board superiority. When executed correctly, these strategies will help ensure that this particular card doesn’t become a thorn in your side.

Cards like Embraal Gear-Smasher

Embraal Gear-Smasher stands out in the artifact synergy space of Magic: The Gathering with its unique ability to sacrifice artifacts for damage. This resembles cards like Reckless Fireweaver, which deals damage whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control. However, Embraal Gear-Smasher requires you to actively destroy your own artifacts to trigger its effect, transforming your artifacts into potent sources of direct damage.

Comparably, Trash for Treasure is another card that interacts with artifacts differently. It allows you to swap a graveyard artifact for one on the battlefield. Both Trash for Treasure and Embraal Gear-Smasher shine in decks built around artifacts, yet they operate on differing sides of artifact manipulation—one brings them back, while the other uses them as ammunition. You also have Pia’s Revolution which offers a choice to your opponents – return the artifact to your hand or take damage, capitalizing on repeated artifact utilization.

In the grand scheme of artifact-centric strategies in Magic: The Gathering, Embraal Gear-Smasher can be a strategic pick, especially for players aiming to leverage the artifacts they’ve accrued for a more aggressive playstyle.

Cards similar to Embraal Gear-Smasher by color, type and mana cost

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Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Embraal Gear-Smasher MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt, 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 Embraal Gear-Smasher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Embraal Gear-Smasher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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