Salvaged ImitationsHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking the Conjured Goods

When you cast Salvaged Imitations, you choose a value for X that is 1 or greater. The spell then looks at every integer from 1 up to your chosen X. For each of those numbers, the game 'conjures' a random artifact card with that specific mana value. Conjuring is a digital-only mechanic that creates a new card out of thin air and places it directly into the game, in this case, onto the battlefield.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you pay the mana cost {X}{R}{G}. Upon resolution, the spell checks X. If X is 3, the game identifies the values 1, 2, and 3. It then selects one random artifact card for each value from the entire pool of artifacts available in the format. These cards enter the battlefield simultaneously. Note that since they are put onto the battlefield, you do not 'cast' the artifacts, so 'as-cast' triggers will not fire.

Strategic Timing and Constraints

Because X cannot be 0, you must spend at least three mana ({1}{R}{G}) to cast this spell. The power of Salvaged Imitations scales significantly in the late game. However, remember that the artifacts are random; you might get a powerful creature or a niche utility piece. Because these enter as new objects, they will be affected by summoning sickness if they are creatures.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that this spell produces one artifact for every mana value in the range. If X is 5, you get five artifacts total (one each of costs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Also, because the cards are conjured directly to the battlefield, any 'Additional costs to cast' or 'X' values in the conjured artifacts' costs will be ignored or treated as 0.

Interaction examples

Early Game Acceleration

Farseek

On turn two, you cast Farseek to put a Mountain onto the battlefield. This allows you to cast Salvaged Imitations for X=2 on turn three. You will conjure one random artifact with mana value 1 and one random artifact with mana value 2, immediately giving you a board presence of two permanents.

Mid-Game Value Swing

Cultivate

You use Cultivate to ensure you have five mana available. You cast Salvaged Imitations where X is 3. The spell resolves and conjures three distinct artifacts (one 1-drop, one 2-drop, and one 3-drop). Even if the 3-drop is a powerful artifact creature, it cannot attack this turn, but it provides an instant defensive line.

Maximum X Expenditure

In a long game, you cast Salvaged Imitations with X=6. The spell generates six different artifacts ranging from mana value 1 to 6. This creates a massive amount of enters-the-battlefield triggers and can completely flip the game state by introducing six new permanents for the cost of one card.