Soul FoundryHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Imprint Mechanic

When Soul Foundry enters the battlefield, you have a one-time opportunity to exile a creature card from your hand. This is an optional ability; if you choose not to exile a card, or if you don't have one, the Foundry remains on the battlefield but its activated ability will have no effect. Once a card is exiled this way, it is 'imprinted' on the Foundry for as long as the artifact remains on the battlefield.

Creating the Tokens

To use the Foundry, you pay X mana (where X is the mana value of the imprinted card) and tap the artifact. You then create a token that is an exact copy of the imprinted card. Unlike most tokens, these copies retain the mana cost and mana value of the original card. Note that because you are creating a token and not casting a spell, you cannot pay additional costs like Kicker, and the token cannot be countered by spells that target cast spells.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A frequent error is trying to change the imprinted card later; once a card is exiled by the 'Enters' trigger, you cannot swap it out for another one. Additionally, if Soul Foundry leaves the battlefield and you play another one, the new Soul Foundry is a new object and cannot access the card exiled by the first one. Also, remember that since you aren't casting the token, 'When you cast' triggers will not fire, though 'When this creature enters' triggers will work normally.

Strategic Timing

Soul Foundry is best played when you have a creature with a powerful 'enters the battlefield' effect or a strong static ability. Because it requires tapping, it is often vulnerable to artifact destruction before you can use it. It is usually wise to hold the Foundry until you have enough mana to both play it and activate it in the same turn, ensuring you get at least one copy of your creature.

Interaction examples

Endless Value Generation

Solemn Simulacrum

If you exile Solemn Simulacrum with Soul Foundry, you can pay 4 mana and tap the Foundry every turn. Each time you do, you create a Solemn Simulacrum token. Because the token enters the battlefield, you get to search for a basic land. When that token eventually dies, its second ability triggers, allowing you to draw a card. This creates a recurring loop of mana ramp and card draw.

Token Characteristics

Copy

When you use Soul Foundry to create a Copy of an imprinted creature, remember that the token is a physical representation of the exiled card. If you imprinted a creature with a mana cost of 2GG, the token also has a mana cost of 2GG and a mana value of 4. This is important for interactions with other spells that might care about the mana value of permanents on the battlefield.

Limitations on Mana

Commander's Sphere

If you are using Commander's Sphere to help pay for Soul Foundry's X cost, remember that X must exactly match the mana value of the exiled card. You cannot pay more or less to change the outcome. If you exile a creature with a mana value of 3, you must spend 3 mana from sources like Commander's Sphere each time you wish to produce a token copy.