Painsmith 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
Whenever you cast an artifact spell, you may have target creature get +2/+0 and gain deathtouch until end of turn.
Complete guide
Painsmith is a low-cost Human Artificer that turns every artifact in your hand into a lethal combat trick. By rewarding you for simply casting spells, this creature transforms small utility pieces into dangerous threats on the battlefield.
The Art of Pain
Painsmith features a triggered ability that activates whenever you cast an artifact spell. When the ability triggers, you choose a target creature to receive a +2/+0 power boost and the deathtouch keyword until the end of the turn. This makes Painsmith an excellent engine for aggressive decks that utilize cheap artifacts to push through damage or trade up in combat.
Resolution Sequence
When you cast an artifact spell, Painsmith's ability is put onto the stack on top of that spell. This means the target creature will receive the bonus before the artifact itself enters the battlefield or resolves. Crucially, even if your opponent counters your artifact spell, the Painsmith trigger has already been placed on the stack and will still resolve, providing the bonus regardless.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that the target must be chosen when the ability is put on the stack, not when it resolves. Additionally, you cannot target the artifact you are currently casting if it is an artifact creature, because it is still a spell on the stack and not yet a creature on the battlefield. You must have a legal creature already in play to target.
When to Deploy
Painsmith is most effective in the early to mid-game when you have a hand full of low-cost artifacts. Because the ability gives deathtouch, it allows even the smallest creature to threaten a block against a massive opponent. Use it to force unfavorable trades or to finish off an opponent by pumping an unblocked attacker.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseWith Painsmith on the battlefield, you cast Ornithopter of Paradise. Painsmith's ability triggers. You target Painsmith itself. Painsmith becomes a 4/1 with deathtouch. Only after this bonus is applied does the Ornithopter of Paradise resolve and enter the battlefield.
Blood ArtistYou have Painsmith and Blood Artist on the field. You cast Ornithopter of Paradise. You use the Painsmith trigger to give Blood Artist +2/+0 and deathtouch. If Blood Artist attacks and is blocked, its deathtouch ensures the blocker dies, which then triggers Blood Artist's own ability to drain 1 life from your opponent.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Painsmith
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Painsmith
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.