Introduction: Understanding Artifact Tutors in MTG
In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), artifacts are some of the most powerful and versatile card types. They often form the foundation of diverse deck strategies across various formats. To enhance consistency, access combo pieces, or find specific answers, players rely on artifact tutor cards.
An artifact tutor allows you to search your library for an artifact card and either put it into your hand, onto the battlefield, or sometimes on top of your library. These cards are indispensable in combo strategies and artifact-focused builds, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about artifact tutor MTG cards—including what they are, their importance, the best examples, and how they shape gameplay in Commander, Modern, Legacy, and Cube.
What Is an Artifact Tutor in MTG?
An artifact tutor is a card—usually a sorcery, instant, or creature—that allows you to search your library for an artifact. You may place that artifact into your hand, on the battlefield, or even on top of your deck.
Why Are Artifact Tutors Important?
Artifact tutors increase gameplay consistency by reducing the randomness of card draws. They are especially useful in combo decks or toolbox strategies. Here’s why they’re crucial:
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Combo Enablers: Many artifact-based combos require specific pieces. Tutors help assemble combos faster.
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Toolbox Strategy: Fetch the perfect artifact for any situation—removal, ramp, or protection.
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Deck Thinning: Reduces deck size, increasing the likelihood of drawing impactful cards.
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Competitive Edge: In high-stakes formats like Commander or Legacy, tutors offer critical flexibility and advantage.
Top Artifact Tutor Cards in Magic: The Gathering
Below are some of the most powerful and widely used artifact tutor cards across MTG formats.
1. Trinket Mage
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: When it enters the battlefield, search your library for an artifact card with mana value 1 or less.
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Best In: Commander, Pauper
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Why It’s Good: Fetches low-cost utility artifacts like Sol Ring, Skullclamp, or Expedition Map. Works especially well with blink effects.
2. Treasure Mage
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: When it enters the battlefield, you may search your library for an artifact with mana value 6 or more.
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Best In: Commander
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Why It’s Good: Perfect for grabbing high-impact threats like Blightsteel Colossus or Wurmcoil Engine.
3. Fabricate
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: Search your library for an artifact card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
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Best In: Commander, Casual
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Why It’s Good: Efficient and flexible. A classic, budget-friendly tutor for any artifact.
4. Kuldotha Forgemaster
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Mana Cost: 5
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Effect: Tap, sacrifice three artifacts: Search your library for an artifact and put it directly onto the battlefield.
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Best In: Combo Artifact Decks
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Why It’s Good: Fetches any artifact directly to play. Ideal for token-heavy or mana rock-filled decks.
5. Whir of Invention
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Mana Cost: XUUU
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Effect: Improvise. Search your library for an artifact with mana value X or less and put it onto the battlefield.
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Best In: Modern, Commander
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Why It’s Good: Instant-speed tutor that works well in decks filled with untapped artifacts.
6. Reshape
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Mana Cost: XUU
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Effect: Sacrifice an artifact. Search your library for an artifact card with mana value X and put it onto the battlefield.
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Best In: Combo Decks
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Why It’s Good: Turns utility artifacts into combo enablers or threats.
7. Inventors’ Fair
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Type: Land
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Effect: If you control three or more artifacts, pay 4, tap, and sacrifice it: Search your library for an artifact and put it into your hand.
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Best In: Commander, Artifact Toolbox Decks
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Why It’s Good: A land that provides tutor utility without taking a spell slot.
Popular Deck Archetypes That Use Artifact Tutors
1. Commander (EDH)
Artifact tutors are staples in Commander decks like:
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Breya, Etherium Shaper
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Urza, Lord High Artificer
They help assemble combos like Isochron Scepter + Dramatic Reversal and search for utility artifacts like Darksteel Forge, Sensei’s Divining Top, or Sol Ring.
2. Modern
In Modern, tutors such as Whir of Invention and Karn, the Great Creator are essential in decks like:
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Lantern Control
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Urza Combo
These tutors provide adaptability and board control, especially in grindy matchups.
3. Legacy
Legacy decks like Painter’s Servant Combo and Mono-Red Prison benefit from artifact tutors like:
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Goblin Engineer
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Stoneforge Mystic
They help locate combo pieces or game-changing equipment artifacts.
4. Cube Draft
In high-powered cube formats, artifact tutors such as:
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Tinker
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Tezzeret the Seeker
enable game-winning plays by finding top-tier artifacts like Mindslaver, Batterskull, and Memory Jar.
How to Choose the Right Artifact Tutor for Your Deck
When selecting artifact tutors, consider the following:
1. Deck Strategy
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Combo Decks: Prioritize fast, specific tutors.
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Control/Midrange: Look for versatile and reusable tutors.
2. Mana Curve
Choose tutors that fit into your game plan. For example, a Turn 3 Fabricate into a Turn 4 threat is ideal in many strategies.
3. Synergy Potential
Select tutors that align with your deck mechanics—such as recursion, blink, or sacrifice strategies.
4. Budget Constraints
Some tutors like Enlightened Tutor or Transmute Artifact can be costly. Affordable options like Fabricate, Trinket Mage, and Tribute Mage are great alternatives.
Budget-Friendly Artifact Tutors in MTG
Not every player wants to spend top dollar on singles. Here are solid budget artifact tutors:
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Tribute Mage: Fetches 2-mana artifacts like Lightning Greaves or Arcane Signet.
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Sanctum of Ugin: Tutors for colorless creatures, including many artifact creatures.
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Emry, Lurker of the Loch: Not a direct tutor, but allows artifact recursion from the graveyard.
Support Cards That Enhance Artifact Tutors
Make your tutors even more effective with synergy cards:
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Panharmonicon: Doubles ETB effects—great with Trinket Mage or Treasure Mage.
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Deadeye Navigator: Repeatedly blink tutors to reuse them.
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Academy Ruins: Return sacrificed or destroyed artifacts to the top of your library.
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Mystic Forge: Lets you play artifacts from the top of your library after shuffling post-tutor.
Conclusion: Mastering Artifact Tutor MTG
Whether you’re building a competitive deck or a fun artifact toolbox strategy, artifact tutor MTG cards are essential for improving consistency, synergy, and performance. They enable powerful combos, answer threats, and help you execute your game plan efficiently.
By understanding how to select the right artifact tutors and support cards, you’ll elevate your deck’s potential—whether in Commander, Modern, Legacy, or Cube formats. Tailor your tutor selection to your strategy, and watch your artifact-based deck shine.