Smokestack MTG Card


Smokestack MTG thrives in decks designed for token generation, leveraging the card’s ability for continual board control. “Stax” decks use Smokestack MTG for tempo, sacrificing opponents’ resources while enhancing your game presence. Counter-play against Smokestack MTG includes instant speed removals and maintaining a fuller hand and board.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

During your upkeep, you may put a soot counter on Smokestack. During each player's upkeep, that player sacrifices a permanent for each soot counter on Smokestack.


Cards like Smokestack

An intriguing artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering is Smokestack. Strikingly similar to other artifacts, like Tangle Wire, but with a remarkable twist. The stack of soot counters on Smokestack forces each player to sacrifice a card every upkeep. Tangle Wire, however, only temporarily impedes your opponent by tapping their cards.

In parallel, we see Desolation, which presents the same sacrifice mechanic as Smokestack but focused solely on lands. Also, it operates on a set number, without the incremental counter growth that characterizes Smokestack. In terms of cost, Desolation is less mana intense, though its effect is more focused and less versatile.

On the other hand, Braids, Cabal Minion, as a creature, brings an entirely different dynamic to the table but retains the similar sacrifice requirement each player’s upkeep. The key difference here is that Braids effects apply to all players and include artifacts, creatures, and lands, providing a broader range of targets unlike Smokestack.

In summary, analyzing the attributes and determining the various alternatives value, it’s clear that Smokestack shines in Magic: The Gathering due to its versatility and unique counter mechanic, rendering it an often-preferred choice for players.

Tangle Wire - MTG Card versions
Desolation - MTG Card versions
Braids, Cabal Minion - MTG Card versions
Tangle Wire - MTG Card versions
Desolation - MTG Card versions
Braids, Cabal Minion - MTG Card versions

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Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
Jade Statue - MTG Card versions
Mightstone - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Lich's Tomb - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Synod Centurion - MTG Card versions
Jade Idol - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Smokestack. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White StaxMono-White Stax LegacyMono-White StaxLegacy League 2024-01-02
Mono-Red ShopsMono-Red Shops Vintage2023 NA Vintage Champs
Mono-White PrisonMono-White Prison LegacyMono-White Stax2023 Asia Legacy Championship
MUDMUD PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Oath PonzaOath Ponza PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
ColorlessColorless VintageVintage Challenge 32 2023-11-18

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Smokestack MTG brings a unique advantage to your gameplay. As each player must sacrifice a permanent during their upkeep, you gain a notable edge, especially if your deck specializes in token generation. This continual removal mechanism keeps your opponent’s field diminished.

Resource Acceleration: A pivotal card in ‘Stax’ style deck, Smokestack MTG leverages the overall game tempo. With its abilities, it progressively accelerates the dwindling of your opponent’s resources while increasing the value of your own board state.

Instant Speed: Smokestack MTG may not have instant-speed, but its power lies in the continuous effect it has on the game state. Your opponent is consistently in a position where they need to rethink their gameplay strategy on their turn, giving you the opportunity to react accordingly. The after effects are just as powerful, disrupting your opponents even when it’s not your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The gameplay with Smokestack can be disadvantageous as there is a requirement to sacrifice permanent cards. This can pose a risk, especially when you’re already running low on available cards on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The requirement of specific mana to play Smokestack: one colorless and three generic mana, might restrict its incorporation into certain decks. This unique cost can restrict its utility limiting the variety of decks it can enter efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana, Smokestack can be seen as a substantial investment for its potentially punishing effect. There exist alternatives offering more efficient utility, crowd control, or resource management at a similar or lower cost.


Reasons to Include Smokestack in Your Collection

Versatility: Smokestack provides broad utility across different deck types. It’s especially potent in stax strategies, where the objective is to limit your opponent’s resources while you maintain control.

Combo Potential: This artifact card has exceptional synergy with other cards like Bitterblossom or Tangle Wire, designed to create tokens or tap your opponent’s resources, which you can then sacrifice to keep your Smokestack operational.

Meta-Relevance: Although it’s not the flashiest of cards, Smokestack can dominate games in slow, control-based metas where it allows continuous advantage over your opponent’s field, keeping them limited while your board state grows.


How to Beat

Smokestack is a popular artifact card in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), primarily used in control decks. Without a doubt, it’s difficult to overcome the recurring decay Smokestack imposes. However, some strategies can potentially turn the tables in your favor. It’s important to have a good understanding of the Smokestack’s ability in order to combat it effectively. Note that the Stack ability sees its owner’s cards getting sacrificed first. Therefore, in the game when Smokestack begins to dominate, play more cards than your opponent. This way, when it comes to sacrifice, you can lose some, but still maintain your game-side.

Another way to shutter Smokestack’s power is by exploiting its weakness – its static nature. The more counters it accumulates, the more dangerous it becomes. Therefore, aim for low-cost instant speed removals or artifact destruction cards. They can eliminate Smokestack before it becomes a serious threat. Some of these include Disenchant, Naturalize, or Smash to Smithereens, which are pretty common in MTG.

In a nutshell, staying ahead in hand and board, and keeping in your deck instant speed removals can make Smokestack less intimidating. Remember that MTG is not just about the power of your cards, but also relying on smart gameplay to win.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the strategic depths of Smokestack in MTG can elevate your deck’s potential in control-based gameplay. Its ability to whittle down opponents’ resources while you extend your board presence is a tactical advantage not to be overlooked. If you appreciate decks that thrive on restricting opponents and gradually pulling ahead, adding Smokestack to your arsenal is advantageous. While it may require a careful approach to resource management on your part, the payoff in long-drawn games can be significant. We encourage you to delve deeper into Smokestack’s capabilities and synergies. Discover more strategies and card interactions that can bring you a step closer to victory in your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Smokestack MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Vintage Masters, 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 Smokestack and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Smokestack Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2022-11-02. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 3091997NormalBlackScott Kirschner
22014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2822015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
32020-09-26The ListPLST USG-3091997NormalBlackScott Kirschner
42022-11-02Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown KitSLC 19982015NormalBorderlessJaime A. Zuverza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Smokestack has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 Adding a counter is optional. If you forget to add one during your upkeep, you cannot back up and add one later.
2004-10-04 If a player does not have enough permanents, they sacrifice all the ones they have.