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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Embersmith gives players a practical edge every time they play an artifact, transforming what would be a standard play into the potential for direct damage. This can accumulate advantage over time, pressing opponents to deal with either the artifacts or Embersmith itself.

Resource Acceleration: While Embersmith does not provide mana ramp or acceleration in the traditional sense, it does allow players to make the most out of artifacts that enter the battlefield. Each artifact becomes a multifaceted tool, serving its primary function and acting as ammunition for Embersmith’s ability, contributing to a more efficient use of resources.

Instant Speed: The flexibility to utilize Embersmith’s ability at instant speed presents players with the valuable opportunity to precisely time damage, remove key creatures, or simply apply pressure at critical moments during an opponent’s turn without compromising their own strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Embersmith requires you to pitch a card to activate its ability. This may deplete your hand quickly, especially if you’re relying on it to control the battlefield, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation fee for Embersmith’s ability is one specific mana (red), which might not always be readily available. Decks not heavily invested in red mana might find this to be a stumbling block in utilizing Embersmith to its full potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two mana cost to cast, including one red, Embersmith’s overall cost can be seen as high when compared to other two-drops. This might deter players from including it in their deck, as the opportunity cost of playing Embersmith over other cards could question its effectiveness in competitive play.

Reasons to Include Embersmith in Your Collection

Versatility: Embersmith fits well in artifact-centric decks, offering a reliable and repeatable source of damage. It’s easy to slot into various strategies that capitalize on playing artifacts. Whether it’s an aggressive red deck or a more midrange build, Embersmith provides value each time an artifact hits the board.

Combo Potential: With each artifact you cast, Embersmith allows you to ping any target, setting up potential combos or even controlling the board by keeping opposing creatures at bay. The synergy with cheap artifacts or token generators can quickly turn Embersmith into a substantial threat.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts to accommodate a plethora of artifact-based strategies, Embersmith continues to hold relevance. Particularly in environments where small creatures dominate or planeswalkers need to be pressured, this card can be an excellent addition to stay competitive.

How to beat Embersmith

Embersmith is a standout creature found within certain MTG decks that favors an artifact-centric strategy. It’s uniquely positioned to chip away at an opponent’s life total while developing your board with artifacts. However, like any card, it has its vulnerabilities. When facing an Embersmith, it’s critical to prioritize removal of the creature to prevent the incremental damage it can cause. Cards like Fatal Push or Abrade can efficiently handle an Embersmith, especially since it lacks any inherent protection.

Against Embersmith, timing your plays can be as crucial as the removal itself. Waiting until your opponent is tapped out to eliminate the Embersmith minimizes their chances to capitalize on its ability. Moreover, in decks that can’t remove it straight away, minimizing the number of artifacts that can hit the board will limit how much value your opponent gets. Finally, consider including life gain mechanics in your deck to buffer against the steady damage Embersmith can inflict. This way, the challenge posed by Embersmith becomes more manageable, ensuring that this red creature doesn’t become too hot to handle.