SliversmithHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Sliversmith has an activated ability that requires three components for its cost: paying one generic mana, tapping the creature, and discarding a card from your hand. Upon resolution, it creates a 1/1 colorless Sliver artifact creature token named Metallic Sliver. While these tokens share a name with the printed card Metallic Sliver, they are distinct entities created through an ability rather than being cast as spells.

Step-by-Step Resolution

To use Sliversmith, first ensure it does not have summoning sickness. You then announce the ability and pay the costs: pay {1}, tap Sliversmith, and choose one card from your hand to put into your graveyard. The ability goes on the stack. When it resolves, a 1/1 Metallic Sliver token enters the battlefield. This token is both an artifact and a creature, meaning it is subject to rules governing both types, such as being affected by artifact destruction or board wipes.

Common Mistakes

A frequent point of confusion involves the mana value of the tokens. While the card Metallic Sliver has a mana cost of {1}, tokens created by Sliversmith have no mana cost, meaning their mana value is 0. Additionally, remember that discarding the card is part of the cost; if the ability is countered (for example, by Stifle), you do not get your discarded card back.

When to Play It

Sliversmith is most effective in decks that benefit from having artifacts enter the battlefield or those that can utilize the graveyard. It is a great way to discard cards with 'Madness' or 'Flashback' while simultaneously developing your board state with tokens that can block, attack, or trigger other Sliver-related abilities.

Interaction examples

Fixing Your Mana for the Smith

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you are short on mana to activate Sliversmith, you can tap Ornithopter of Paradise to add one mana of any color. You then use that mana to pay the {1} requirement of Sliversmith's ability, tap the Smith, and discard a card to create your Metallic Sliver token.

Constructing a Discounted Army

Foundry Inspector

While Foundry Inspector makes artifact spells cost {1} less to cast, it does not reduce the activation cost of Sliversmith's ability because creating a token is not the same as casting a spell. However, Foundry Inspector makes casting Sliversmith itself cheaper, allowing you to get the engine online for only {1} instead of {2}.

Token Synergy

Metallic Sliver

If you have a Metallic Sliver card and a Sliversmith on the field, you can use the Sliversmith to create additional tokens named Metallic Sliver. Although they share a name, the tokens will have a mana value of 0, whereas the card you cast from your hand has a mana value of 1.