Brass Man MTG Card


Brass Man’s efficiency is stellar for decks keen on optimizing mana and artifact synergies. The card demands strategic hand management due to its unique tap and upkeep costs. With versatility and meta relevance, Brass Man can be a key component in certain MTG decks.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Brass Man does not untap as normal; you must pay o1 during your untap phase to untap it.


Cards like Brass Man

Brass Man is an artifact creature from the annals of Magic: The Gathering history with its origins in the Antiquities set. Its likeness in function and cost can be compared to other low-cost artifact creatures, such as Ornithopter. Ornithopter comes at an even cheaper rate of zero mana cost, boasting flying but lacks the self-sustaining mechanism that Brass Man has, requiring one to untap on upkeep only after the first turn it’s played.

Looking at Phyrexian Walker presents another comparison – a creature card that costs zero mana and offers a defensive 3 toughness without the one-mana upkeep. However, it doesn’t have the potential to deal damage as Brass Man does. Lastly, Shield Sphere shares the cost-free entrance to the battlefield and can block multiple creatures, though its toughness decreases with each block, unlike Brass Man’s consistent strength during combat.

Considering the dynamics of cost versus utility, Brass Man presents a balanced option in the realm of low-cost artifact creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It fills a specific role for players looking for inexpensive artifact creatures with a modest offensive ability alongside an early resource investment.

Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Walker - MTG Card versions
Shield Sphere - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Walker - MTG Card versions
Shield Sphere - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Brass Man by color, type and mana cost

Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Library of Leng - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Ivory Tower - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Crystal Rod - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Library of Leng - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Ivory Tower - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Crystal Rod - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Brass Man offers an efficient cost-to-utility ratio, posing as a versatile addition to any deck that looks to optimize its plays. With its low casting cost, it seamlessly slots into your curve, allowing you to deploy other high-impact strategies without delay.

Resource Acceleration: As an artifact creature, Brass Man can synergize with mechanics that capitalize on artifact presence, such as improvise or affinity, effectively acting as a resource accelerator. This unassuming one-drop can empower subsequent plays, giving you the lead in resource allocation.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Brass Man’s low cost and potential untap ability when deployed in the early game can be leveraged much like an instant. You can quickly field it during your turn, retaining mana for instant-speed responses on your opponent’s turn, keeping up the pressure while staying flexible on defense.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Brass Man MTG card appears to be a low-cost artifact creature, it comes with a specific caveat that you must discard another artifact card just to activate its tap ability. This can be a serious drawback when your hand is already running low on artifacts, making the Brass Man’s utilization a strategic challenge rather than a benefit in some cases.

Specific Mana Cost: This particular MTG card demands a very targeted mana investment—one colorless mana to cast. While this may seem easily achievable, it restricts the card’s immediate playability in the early game and can be a hindrance when your mana resources are better allocated elsewhere or when you’re playing a multi-color deck that requires a more diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite Brass Man’s initial low cost, it has an upkeep cost to maintain its presence on the battlefield. This ongoing cost can add up over the course of a game, especially when compared to other one-mana artifact creatures that offer similar or superior abilities without such recurring expenses. Players might find that their mana is expended more efficiently on alternative cards that deliver more value for the investment.


Reasons to Include Brass Man in Your Collection

Versatility: As an artifact creature, Brass Man can seamlessly fit into artifact-centric decks or those requiring early board presence. Its low casting cost makes it an accessible play in both the initial rounds and during late-game mana shortages.

Combo Potential: This efficient construct can become pivotal in setups aiming to capitalize on artifact synergies. Its mere presence can activate synergistic effects of cards that gain advantage from artifacts or creatures entering the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting dynamics of the MTG metagame, Brass Man holds its ground in environments where artifact strategies are prevalent or where decks strive to exploit low-cost creatures for larger combative strategies.


How to beat

Brass Man is an artifact creature that many MTG players might dismiss at first glance due to its modest 1/3 stats and the need to pay mana to untap it. However, it’s important to recognize the role that this card can play in an opponent’s strategy, especially in artifact-centric decks that can exploit its low cost and potential for synergy. To effectively counter Brass Man, one should consider using artifact removal spells like Abrade or Nature’s Claim to eliminate it before the opponent can capitalize on its value. Additionally, keeping up a pace that pressures artifact strategies overall can hinder the potential benefits Brass Man may provide. Control decks that can manage the opponent’s board state and disable their key plays will find Brass Man less of a threat.

Understanding the match type and the role Brass Man plays in your opponent’s strategy is crucial. In formats where it is legal, knowing when to let Brass Man languish untapped on the battlefield and when to remove it can determine the course of the game. Always be thoughtful when assessing which threats to address and when, keeping in mind your deck’s strengths and the specific dynamic of the match at hand.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brass Man MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Foreign Black Border, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Brass Man and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Brass Man Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-12-17Arabian NightsARN 591993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
21994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2381993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
31994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2381993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
41994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2381993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
51995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3021993NormalBlackChristopher Rush
61995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3021993NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
72011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1851997NormalBlackChristopher Rush

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brass Man has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Brass Man card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2006-05-01 Reworded so that it triggers only once at beginning of upkeep, instead of being an activated ability usable any time during your upkeep. You can no longer make infinite combos with this ability.