Vehicles in MTG: Are They Artifact Creatures? Your Comprehensive Guide
The answer is nuanced: Vehicles in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) are artifact cards, and they can become artifact creatures temporarily. A Vehicle card is initially an artifact with the Vehicle subtype. It only becomes an artifact creature when its Crew ability is activated. This activation turns the Vehicle into an Artifact Creature – Vehicle until the end of the turn.
Understanding the Crew Mechanic
The key to grasping this concept lies in the Crew ability. This ability, typically written as “Crew N,” where N represents a number, is what transforms a static artifact into a dynamic creature. To activate Crew, you must tap any number of untapped creatures you control with a combined power equal to or greater than N. Once activated, the Vehicle becomes an artifact creature capable of attacking, blocking, and being affected by creature-targeted spells and abilities, but only until the end of the turn. After the turn ends, if no other effect is keeping it as a creature, it reverts back to a static artifact.
Implications of Being an Artifact Creature
The temporary transformation into an artifact creature has several crucial implications:
- Summoning Sickness: A Vehicle that becomes a creature in this way is subject to summoning sickness. If the Vehicle entered the battlefield this turn, it cannot attack or use abilities with the tap or untap symbol in their cost unless it has haste.
- Interaction with Spells and Abilities: When a Vehicle is an artifact creature, it’s affected by anything that targets artifacts and anything that targets creatures. This opens up a wide range of interactions, both beneficial and detrimental.
- Combat: As an artifact creature, the Vehicle can attack and block like any other creature, making it a powerful offensive and defensive asset. However, remember that it only has this capability while it’s been crewed that turn.
Artifact Creatures in the Broader MTG Context
Artifact creatures are a fascinating subset within MTG. They blur the lines between inanimate objects and living beings, bringing a unique strategic element to the game. They exemplify how magic and technology can intertwine.
Artifact creatures have rules for both artifacts and creatures, and are generally colorless, or strongly affiliated with a color.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vehicles and Artifact Creatures
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics of Vehicles and their relationship to artifact creatures:
1. Can a car be an artifact in MTG?
Yes, absolutely. In MTG, a “car” represented by a Vehicle card is an artifact. The card itself is an artifact representing the constructed vehicle.
2. Do artifacts count as artifact creatures?
No, not all artifacts are artifact creatures. An artifact creature is a specific card type that possesses both the artifact type and the creature type. A regular artifact (like a Sol Ring) is just an artifact. A Vehicle that hasn’t been crewed is also just an artifact.
3. Do vehicle artifacts have summoning sickness?
Yes, they do. If a Vehicle enters the battlefield and is then crewed on the same turn, it’s subject to summoning sickness just like any other creature that has just entered play.
4. Can artifact vehicles block MTG without being crewed?
No. A Vehicle must be crewed to become a creature before it can block. You can activate the Crew ability at instant speed during your opponent’s combat phase to block with the Vehicle.
5. What IS Crew?!
Crew is a keyword ability that transforms a Vehicle artifact into an artifact creature until the end of the turn. It requires tapping a number of untapped creatures you control with a combined power equal to or greater than the Vehicle’s Crew value.
6. How do artifact Vehicles work in commander?
Many new Vehicle commanders have entered the game. Since all Vehicles are artifacts, this allows them to shine as Vehicle commanders.
7. Can artifact Vehicles block without crew?
No. A vehicle is not a creature if its Crew ability has not been activated this turn, and no other effects have turned it into one. You CAN Crew at instant speed in order to block with it, but otherwise no.
8. Do artifact Vehicles have haste?
No, vehicles don’t inherently have haste. Vehicles, similar to other nonland permanents, have summoning sickness the turn they enter the battlefield.
9. Can you crew with artifact creatures?
Yes! Any creature, including an artifact creature, can be used to pay the Crew cost of a Vehicle. This adds another layer of synergy and strategic options.
10. Can I crew on my opponent’s turn?
Yes, you can activate the Crew ability on your opponent’s turn, typically to block an attacking creature with your Vehicle.
11. Does destroy all artifacts destroy artifact creatures?
Yes, if a spell or ability says “destroy all artifacts,” it will destroy artifact creatures, as they are, by definition, artifacts.
12. Can an artifact creature be equipped?
Yes, absolutely. If a creature is an artifact creature, it is still a creature and can be equipped.
13. Can a legendary vehicle be your commander?
Yes! Shorikai, Genesis Engine is a legendary Vehicle with an ability that says it can be your commander.
14. Does Deathtouch work on vehicles?
As long as the Vehicle is a Creature, yes. It’ll be destroyed when it’s dealt damage from a source with Deathtouch.
15. What happens if my Vehicle is mutated?
If you mutate a creature onto a Vehicle that’s been crewed, the resulting permanent will likely become a creature, with all abilities of the mutated creature and the Vehicle. Be aware that the final outcome depends on the specific cards involved and the order they entered the battlefield.
Strategic Considerations When Using Vehicles
When incorporating Vehicles into your MTG decks, consider the following:
- Synergy: Look for creatures that synergize well with Vehicles. For example, creatures that produce multiple tokens can effectively crew larger Vehicles.
- Mana Curve: Ensure you have a good balance of creatures and Vehicles in your mana curve. Too many Vehicles without sufficient creatures to crew them will leave you vulnerable.
- Removal: Be prepared to deal with threats to your Vehicles, such as artifact removal spells. Consider including protection spells or creatures with abilities that protect artifacts.
- Timing: Master the timing of activating the Crew ability. Knowing when to crew your Vehicle for offense or defense is crucial for success.
- Color Identity: Be mindful of the color identity restrictions in Commander when using Vehicles as your commander. This restricts which cards may appear in the deck.
Conclusion
Vehicles are a dynamic and engaging part of MTG, offering unique strategic opportunities. They are artifacts that can temporarily become artifact creatures through the Crew ability. Understanding this distinction, and the rules surrounding it, is crucial for maximizing their potential. Keep in mind the need to crew them, the susceptibility to summoning sickness, and the interactions with spells and abilities that target both artifacts and creatures. With careful deckbuilding and skillful gameplay, Vehicles can be a powerful tool in your MTG arsenal.
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