Thaumaton TorpedoHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Thaumaton Torpedo is a single-use utility artifact that can destroy any nonland permanent, including creatures, planeswalkers, enchantments, or other artifacts. Its standard activation cost is six mana and tapping it, but it features a cost-reduction mechanic. If you have declared an attack with at least one Spacecraft during the current turn, the activation cost drops by three mana, allowing you to fire it off for just three mana.

Step-by-Step Resolution

To use this ability, first verify if the cost reduction applies by checking if a Spacecraft attacked this turn. Second, announce the ability and choose a legal target that is a nonland permanent. Third, pay the total cost—either six or three mana—tap the Torpedo, and sacrifice it as part of the cost. Finally, the ability is put onto the stack; when it resolves, the targeted permanent is destroyed.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to target a land; remember that the Torpedo specifically says 'nonland permanent.' Additionally, the cost reduction only checks if you 'attacked with a Spacecraft.' It does not matter if that Spacecraft is still on the battlefield, if the attack was blocked, or if the Spacecraft survived combat. As long as the attack was declared, the discount applies for the rest of the turn.

When to Play It

Thaumaton Torpedo is best played in decks featuring Spacecraft to maximize mana efficiency. Because it requires a sacrifice, it is a one-shot effect, so it should be reserved for high-priority targets that your creatures cannot deal with in combat. It is also an artifact, meaning it can be tutored or recurred by various effects that interact with the graveyard.

Interaction examples

Accelerating the Payload

Sol Ring

With a Sol Ring on the battlefield, you can tap it to provide two of the six mana required for the Torpedo's activation. If you haven't attacked with a Spacecraft, you would still need four more mana. However, if a Spacecraft did attack, the Sol Ring covers two-thirds of the reduced three-mana cost, leaving you to pay only one more mana to destroy a target.

Color Filtering for the Blast

Arcane Signet

While the Torpedo's activation cost is entirely generic mana, having an Arcane Signet ensures you have the flexible mana resources available to activate the Torpedo after casting other spells. If you attack with a Spacecraft and tap the Signet for mana, you have already paid for one of the three required mana for the discounted activation.