Thopter ArchitectHow it works & interactions with other cards

Airborne Engineering

Thopter Architect possesses a triggered ability that looks for any artifact entering the battlefield under your control. Each time an artifact arrives, you choose a target creature to receive flying until the end of the current turn. This ability can target Thopter Architect itself or any other creature on the battlefield, regardless of who controls it, though you will typically use it to bypass your opponent's blockers.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, an artifact enters the battlefield under your control. This causes the Architect's ability to trigger and be put onto the stack. At this point, you must choose a valid target creature. Once both players pass priority, the ability resolves, and the chosen creature gains flying. Note that if the artifact is also a creature, like an artifact creature, it can be the target of the ability it just triggered.

Strategic Timing

Because this ability triggers whenever an artifact enters, you can use cards with Flash or Instants that create artifact tokens to grant flying during your opponent's turn or during the declare blockers step. Remember that giving a creature flying after it has already been legally blocked will not undo the block; you must grant flying before blockers are declared to ensure the creature can only be blocked by others with flying or reach.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that Thopter Architect does not need to be the one attacking to grant the bonus. Also, keep in mind that the ability is mandatory; if you are the only player with creatures and an artifact enters, you must target one of your own creatures. If the artifact that triggered the ability leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, the target creature still gains flying.

Interaction examples

Ramping through the Skies

Solemn Simulacrum

When Solemn Simulacrum enters the battlefield, two abilities trigger: its own land-search ability and Thopter Architect's flying ability. You can put them on the stack in any order. As the Architect's ability resolves, you can target the Solemn Simulacrum itself, allowing your value-generating Golem to fly over your opponent's defense for 2 damage.

Double Flight Training

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Human', it becomes an artifact creature that is also a Human. Its entry triggers Thopter Architect. Because Roaming Throne is a Human, its own replacement effect causes the Architect's ability to trigger an additional time. You will get two separate 'target creature gains flying' triggers on the stack, allowing you to give flying to two different creatures or the same creature twice.

Self-Correction

If you play an artifact like a simple Equipment or Treasure token while Thopter Architect is your only creature, you can target the Architect itself. It will gain flying until the end of the turn, allowing the 2/3 body to contribute to your aerial clock even without other synergistic creatures.