Titan of IndustryHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing Your Modes

When Titan of Industry enters the battlefield, you must choose exactly two of its four modes. You cannot pick the same mode twice. It is important to note that only the first mode (destroying an artifact or enchantment) and the second mode (gaining life) require targets. The third mode creates a 4/4 Rhino Warrior token, and the fourth mode places a shield counter on a creature you control, which is chosen as the ability resolves.

Resolution and Targeting

Because the ability can have targets, you must be careful. If you choose a mode that targets (like destroying an artifact) alongside a mode that doesn't (like creating a token), and the target becomes illegal before resolution, the entire ability fizzles. This means you won't get the token either. If you choose the shield counter mode, you don't pick the creature until the ability actually resolves, making it harder for opponents to respond effectively.

Shield Counters and Combat

Titan of Industry comes with Reach and Trample, making it a formidable blocker and attacker. If you choose to put a shield counter on it, the counter will protect it from the next time it would be destroyed or dealt damage. This makes the Titan extremely difficult to remove with standard destruction spells, forcing your opponent to use two effects to clear it from the board.

When to Play It

This creature is a premier 'reanimation' or 'ramp' target. You should play it when you need to swing the tempo of the game. Against aggressive decks, the 5 life and a 4/4 blocker can be game-saving. Against control decks, the shield counter and artifact/enchantment destruction can dismantle their win conditions while leaving a threat they can't easily kill.

Interaction examples

Scaling the Board

Avenger of Zendikar

If you have Avenger of Zendikar on the field, playing Titan of Industry allows you to choose the shield counter mode to protect your Avenger. This ensures your Plant tokens can continue to grow with Landfall triggers even if the opponent tries to use a targeted removal spell on your engine.

The Alpha Strike

Craterhoof Behemoth

When you play Titan of Industry, choose the mode to create a 4/4 Rhino Warrior token. This increases your creature count. If you then follow up with Craterhoof Behemoth, the +X/+X bonus will be larger because of both the Titan and its Rhino Warrior token, while the Titan's natural trample ensures the damage gets through.

The Rhino Reinforcement

Rhino Warrior

Upon entering, Titan of Industry triggers. You choose to create a 4/4 green Rhino Warrior creature token and put a shield counter on a creature you control. As the ability resolves, the token is created first, and then you can choose to put the shield counter on that brand new Rhino Warrior token to make it a resilient blocker.