Adaptive Automaton is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
As this creature enters, choose a creature type. This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types. Other creatures you control of the chosen type get +1/+1.
Complete guide
Adaptive Automaton is a versatile artifact creature that can fit into any tribal deck in Magic: The Gathering. By choosing a specific creature type, you turn this Construct into a powerful anthem that boosts your entire army. It is the perfect glue for decks that need a little extra power and flavor.
Choosing Your Tribe
As Adaptive Automaton enters the battlefield, you choose a creature type. This is a replacement effect, not a triggered ability, meaning it does not use the stack and cannot be responded to once the spell starts to resolve. You must choose an existing creature type from the game's rules, like 'Elf', 'Dragon', or 'Golem'. You cannot choose card types like 'Artifact' or supertypes like 'Legendary'.
A Dual Identity
Once the choice is made, Adaptive Automaton gains that creature type in addition to being a Construct. It immediately begins granting a +1/+1 bonus to other creatures you control of the chosen type. Note that even though it is naturally a Construct, it will not buff other Constructs unless you specifically chose 'Construct' as it entered the battlefield.
Strategic Timing
Since the +1/+1 bonus is a static ability, it takes effect the moment Adaptive Automaton is on the battlefield. There is no window for an opponent to kill your other creatures before they receive the toughness boost if the Automaton has successfully entered. This makes it a reliable way to save your board from toughness-based sweepers or to push for lethal damage during combat.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf you have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield and cast Adaptive Automaton, you can choose 'Golem' as the creature type. Because Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem, it will immediately receive +1/+1 from Adaptive Automaton. Adaptive Automaton will now be a 'Artifact Creature — Construct Golem'.
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne and have chosen 'Golem' for its ability, and then cast Adaptive Automaton choosing 'Golem', both creatures will buff or interact with each other. While Roaming Throne doubles triggered abilities, Adaptive Automaton provides a static +1/+1. Roaming Throne will become a 5/5 Golem because of the Automaton's anthem effect.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Adaptive Automaton
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
The choice of creature type is made as Adaptive Automaton enters. Players can't take any actions between the time the choice is made and the time the appropriate creatures begin to get +1/+1.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
You must choose an existing creature type, such as Human or Warrior. Card types such as artifact and supertypes such as legendary can't be chosen.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Even though Adaptive Automaton is a Construct, other Construct creatures you control won't get +1/+1 unless you chose Construct as Adaptive Automaton entered the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Magda, Brazen Outlaw + Clock of Omens + Adaptive Automaton
- 1Activate Clock of Omens by tapping Adaptive Automaton and another artifact, targeting Adaptive Automaton.
- 2Magda triggers, creating a Treasure token.
- 3Resolve the Clock of Omens ability, untapping Adaptive Automaton.
- 4Repeat.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Adaptive Automaton
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.