Magitek ArmorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Built-in Synergy

Magitek Armor features an Enters-the-Battlefield (ETB) ability that creates a 1/1 colorless Hero creature token. Because the Crew cost of the Armor is exactly 1, the Hero token provided is the perfect size to crew the Vehicle immediately without needing additional creatures. This makes it a self-contained threat that provides two permanents for the price of one spell.

The Crewing Process

To turn Magitek Armor into an artifact creature, you must activate its Crew 1 ability. You can tap any number of creatures you control—including the Hero token it just created—as long as their total power is 1 or more. Once the ability resolves, Magitek Armor becomes an artifact creature until the end of the turn. Note that crewing doesn't involve the tap symbol, so you can tap a creature with 'summoning sickness' to pay the Crew cost.

Timing and Tactics

A common mistake is forgetting that Magitek Armor is not a creature until the Crew ability resolves. You cannot attack with it or block with it the moment it enters the battlefield unless you crew it first. Furthermore, since the Hero token is a separate permanent, your opponent can use a removal spell on the token in response to the Crew activation to try and keep the Armor stationary.

Interaction examples

Instant Army

Hero

When you cast Magitek Armor and it resolves, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you place a 1/1 Hero token onto the battlefield. You may then immediately tap that Hero to activate the Crew 1 ability, turning Magitek Armor into a creature ready for combat.

Maximum Value

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield, you can use it to crew the Magitek Armor. This allows you to keep your Hero token untapped to serve as an additional blocker or to save it for a later turn, while the Simulacrum's 2 power easily covers the Crew 1 requirement.

Strategic Tapping

Commander's Sphere

While Commander's Sphere provides the mana to cast Magitek Armor, it cannot help with the Crew cost because it is not a creature. You must use the Hero token or another creature to animate the Armor. However, once Magitek Armor is crewed and becomes a creature, it stays a creature until the end of the turn even if the Hero token is later sacrificed or leaves the battlefield.