Strategies, collaboration, and deck optimization are the foundation of Magic: The Gathering (MTG). One of the most powerful tools in any MTG player’s arsenal is tutoring—the ability to search your deck for a specific card. In decks that rely heavily on artifacts, artifact tutors play a vital role in increasing consistency, enabling combos, and responding to various board states.
Whether you’re constructing a competitive EDH deck, brewing a Modern artifact combo, or building a casual powerhouse, artifact tutors in MTG can be game-changers.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:
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What artifact tutors are
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Why they’re essential
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Which artifact tutors are best across MTG formats
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How to select the right artifact tutors for your strategy
What Are Artifact Tutors in MTG?
In MTG, a tutor is any card that allows you to search your library for another card and place it into your hand, graveyard, or directly onto the battlefield. Artifact tutors, specifically, are used to find artifact cards.
Artifacts are typically colorless cards that represent magical items, machines, or relics. These cards often serve as:
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Mana rocks (e.g., Sol Ring)
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Utility tools (e.g., Ensnaring Bridge)
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Combo pieces (e.g., Isochron Scepter)
Because artifact-based strategies demand consistency, artifact tutors ensure you can access the right piece at the right time.
Why Use Artifact Tutors in MTG?
1. Improved Consistency
Artifact tutors increase your deck’s reliability by helping you fetch key cards faster and more consistently.
2. Combo Assembly
Many artifact-centric combos in MTG rely on specific pieces. Tutors help you assemble combinations like:
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Isochron Scepter + Dramatic Reversal
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Thopter Foundry + Sword of the Meek
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Helm of the Host + Godo, Bandit Warlord
3. Flexibility and Utility
Artifact tutors let you adapt to different situations. Need graveyard hate? Fetch Tormod’s Crypt. Facing aggro? Find Ensnaring Bridge. The ability to tailor your play mid-game is invaluable.
Best Artifact Tutors in MTG
Here are some of the top artifact tutors in MTG, widely used across formats like Commander (EDH), Modern, and Legacy.
1. Fabricate
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: Search your library for an artifact card, reveal it, and put it into your hand.
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Formats: Commander, Casual, Cube
A classic and straightforward tutor. Fabricate is mana-efficient and perfect for control and combo decks.
2. Whir of Invention
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Mana Cost: XUUU
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Effect: Improvise. Search for an artifact card with mana value X and put it onto the battlefield.
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Formats: Modern, Commander
Ideal for decks with many artifacts. Works great in Affinity, Urza, or combo strategies.
3. Kuldotha Forgemaster
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Mana Cost: 5
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Effect: Tap, sacrifice three artifacts: Search your library for an artifact card and put it onto the battlefield.
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Formats: Commander, Cube
A powerful artifact creature that’s both a tutor and combo enabler. Excellent in Breya, Sharuum, and Daretti decks.
4. Reshape
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Mana Cost: XU
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Effect: Sacrifice an artifact. Search for an artifact card with mana value X and put it onto the battlefield.
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Formats: Modern, Commander
Perfect for transforming smaller artifacts into win conditions. Example: Sacrifice Mox Opal to find Blightsteel Colossus.
5. Trinket Mage
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: When it enters the battlefield, search for an artifact with mana value 1 or less and put it into your hand.
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Formats: Commander, Pauper
Fetches value pieces like Sol Ring, Skullclamp, or Sensei’s Divining Top. A staple in utility-focused decks.
6. Treasure Mage
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: Search for an artifact card with mana value 6 or greater and put it into your hand.
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Format: Commander
Best for high-impact cards like Wurmcoil Engine, Mindslaver, or Mycosynth Lattice.
7. Tinker (Banned in Most Formats)
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Mana Cost: 2U
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Effect: Sacrifice an artifact: Search your library for an artifact card and put it onto the battlefield.
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Format: Vintage
Tinker is immensely powerful and banned in most formats due to its ability to cheat out game-ending artifacts by turn 2 or 3.
Underrated But Valuable Artifact Tutors
1. Sanctum of Ugin
A land that lets you search for a colorless creature (often an artifact creature) when you cast a big spell. Great in Eldrazi and artifact-aggro decks.
2. Magda, Brazen Outlaw
In Treasure-heavy decks, Magda can tutor up artifact dragons or equipment like Goldspan Dragon or Sword of Feast and Famine.
3. Forge Anew
Not a tutor by definition, but acts as graveyard recursion for equipment in Voltron decks, allowing you to re-equip from the yard.
Artifact Tutors by Format
Commander (EDH)
Due to the singleton rule and broad card pool, artifact tutors are very popular. Cards like Fabricate, Whir of Invention, and Kuldotha Forgemaster are staples in combo-heavy or artifact-themed EDH decks.
Modern
Tutors like Whir of Invention and Reshape are used in specific artifact combo/control decks. Urza’s Saga acts as a pseudo-tutor for low-cost artifacts.
Legacy & Vintage
High-power artifact tutors like Tinker and Transmute Artifact exist but are restricted or used in niche decks. These formats focus on explosive combos and fast finishes.
Casual Play
In casual formats, artifact tutors add consistency and help execute creative synergies. Great for tribal, Voltron, and artifact toolbox builds.
How to Choose the Right Artifact Tutors
When building or optimizing your deck, keep these tips in mind:
1. Mana Curve and Speed
Cheaper tutors like Trinket Mage are ideal for faster formats. In Commander, higher-cost tutors are more acceptable due to the slower pace.
2. Battlefield vs. Hand
Tutors that place artifacts directly onto the battlefield (like Whir of Invention) are stronger but require more mana.
3. Deck Strategy and Synergy
Choose artifact tutors that align with your deck’s core strategy:
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Combo decks: Prefer Reshape, Tinker, or Kuldotha Forgemaster
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Voltron/Equipment decks: Opt for Stoneforge Mystic or Forge Anew
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Control decks: Use Fabricate, Whir of Invention
4. Budget Considerations
Some artifact tutors, like Tinker, are expensive in both cash and mana. Budget-friendly options include Inventors’ Fair, Trinket Mage, and Enlightened Tutor.
Common Strategies That Use Artifact Tutors
Combo
Use artifact tutors to find win conditions like:
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Isochron Scepter + Dramatic Reversal
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Aetherflux Reservoir
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Paradox Engine (banned in EDH, still useful in casual play)
Stax/Control
Fetch prison pieces like:
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Winter Orb
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Static Orb
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Ensnaring Bridge
Ramp and Mana Fixing
Find essential ramp pieces like:
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Sol Ring
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Mana Crypt
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Chromatic Lantern
Voltron
Equip your commander with tools fetched via artifact tutors:
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Sword of Fire and Ice
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Skullclamp
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Lightning Greaves
Final Thoughts: Why Artifact Tutors Matter in MTG
Artifact tutors in MTG are core components of successful decks across nearly every format. Their ability to improve consistency, enable combos, and adapt to various board states makes them invaluable tools for deck builders of all skill levels.
Whether you’re a seasoned Commander veteran, a Modern strategist, or a casual brewer, artifact tutors help unlock your deck’s full potential. With options ranging from budget-friendly to tournament-grade, there’s a tutor to suit every playstyle and strategy.
Don’t overlook artifact tutors—include them in your deck, and they might be the key to your next victory.