AffinityForArtifacts
@affinitymtg.bsky.social
Writing about the oldest and shiniest objects in Magic: The Gathering
Where does that lead us? Every company, every government, run by these guys??
November 15, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Where does that lead us? Every company, every government, run by these guys??
Happy Five-drop Friday everyone -
Just here to remind you that Urza is an unforgivable villain in Magic story - he makes you learn Banding!
Just here to remind you that Urza is an unforgivable villain in Magic story - he makes you learn Banding!
![A magic card depicting a clanky wooden and metal war machine.
Urza's Engine
{5} Artifact Creature — Juggernaut
Trample
{3}: This creature gains banding until end of turn.
{3}: Attacking creatures banded with this creature gain trample until end of turn.
Banding works as follows:
702.22a Banding is a static ability that modifies the rules for combat.
702.22c As a player declares attackers, they may declare that one or more attacking creatures with banding and up to one attacking creature without banding (even if it has “bands with other”) are all in a “band.” They may also declare that one or more attacking [quality] creatures with “bands with other [quality]” and any number of other attacking [quality] creatures are all in a band. A player may declare as many attacking bands as they want, but each creature may be a member of only one of them. (Defending players can’t declare bands but may use banding in a different way; see rule 702.22j.)
702.22d All creatures in an attacking band must attack the same player, planeswalker, or battle.
702.22f An attacking creature that’s removed from combat is also removed from the band it was in.
702.22h If an attacking creature becomes blocked by a creature, each other creature in the same band as the attacking creature becomes blocked by that same blocking creature.
702.22i If one member of a band would become blocked due to an effect, the entire band becomes blocked.
702.22j During the combat damage step, if an attacking creature is being blocked by a creature with banding, or by both a [quality] creature with “bands with other [quality]” and another [quality] creature, the defending player (rather than the active player) chooses how the attacking creature’s damage is assigned. That player can divide that creature’s combat damage as they choose among any creatures blocking it. This is an exception to the procedure described in rule 510.1c.
702.22k During the combat damage step, if a blocking creature………](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2fhizwt7xlafwm5cespoqhcg/bafkreiab5n44y2fs6xvczrmepdd3pow6ftgzpnisjpo6mughls26zgceou@jpeg)
November 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Happy Five-drop Friday everyone -
Just here to remind you that Urza is an unforgivable villain in Magic story - he makes you learn Banding!
Just here to remind you that Urza is an unforgivable villain in Magic story - he makes you learn Banding!
The Walls of Ba Sing Se is an incredible defender, capable of blocking any #MTG creature.
This makes sense, because ancient Chinese walls were DENSE. Linzi (859 BC) had walls averaging 80 feet thick which could easily stop cannon fire. In contrast, European walls were generally only 6 feet thick.
This makes sense, because ancient Chinese walls were DENSE. Linzi (859 BC) had walls averaging 80 feet thick which could easily stop cannon fire. In contrast, European walls were generally only 6 feet thick.
November 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The Walls of Ba Sing Se is an incredible defender, capable of blocking any #MTG creature.
This makes sense, because ancient Chinese walls were DENSE. Linzi (859 BC) had walls averaging 80 feet thick which could easily stop cannon fire. In contrast, European walls were generally only 6 feet thick.
This makes sense, because ancient Chinese walls were DENSE. Linzi (859 BC) had walls averaging 80 feet thick which could easily stop cannon fire. In contrast, European walls were generally only 6 feet thick.
In #MTG, Mystic Forge is a 4 mana artifact that helps you win the 2025 NA Legacy Champs.
We have Mystic Forges too - in Jingdezhen China, Feng Huo Hsien, or Genius of the Fire-Blast, is a man-turned-deity who sacrificed his body in the fires of a kiln to save his people from a horrible fate.
We have Mystic Forges too - in Jingdezhen China, Feng Huo Hsien, or Genius of the Fire-Blast, is a man-turned-deity who sacrificed his body in the fires of a kiln to save his people from a horrible fate.
October 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
In #MTG, Mystic Forge is a 4 mana artifact that helps you win the 2025 NA Legacy Champs.
We have Mystic Forges too - in Jingdezhen China, Feng Huo Hsien, or Genius of the Fire-Blast, is a man-turned-deity who sacrificed his body in the fires of a kiln to save his people from a horrible fate.
We have Mystic Forges too - in Jingdezhen China, Feng Huo Hsien, or Genius of the Fire-Blast, is a man-turned-deity who sacrificed his body in the fires of a kiln to save his people from a horrible fate.
Happy birthday to Mirrodin and to @rhysticstudies.bsky.social!
Clockwork Condor is a 3/3 flyer that gets beat up everytime you use it.
Machined birds have been flying since the early Greeks! Archytas of Tarentum (350BCE) is known for his flying doves powered by compressed air and pneumatics.
#MTG
Clockwork Condor is a 3/3 flyer that gets beat up everytime you use it.
Machined birds have been flying since the early Greeks! Archytas of Tarentum (350BCE) is known for his flying doves powered by compressed air and pneumatics.
#MTG
October 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Happy birthday to Mirrodin and to @rhysticstudies.bsky.social!
Clockwork Condor is a 3/3 flyer that gets beat up everytime you use it.
Machined birds have been flying since the early Greeks! Archytas of Tarentum (350BCE) is known for his flying doves powered by compressed air and pneumatics.
#MTG
Clockwork Condor is a 3/3 flyer that gets beat up everytime you use it.
Machined birds have been flying since the early Greeks! Archytas of Tarentum (350BCE) is known for his flying doves powered by compressed air and pneumatics.
#MTG
What about ARTIFACT reanimator in traditionally-anti-artifact colors?
September 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
What about ARTIFACT reanimator in traditionally-anti-artifact colors?
Let’s celebrate #MTG HOTlanta with a little FIRE.
Fireshrieker is an iconic Mirrodin card that turns any creature into a hot threat.
7c. Byzantines were masters of using fire for war: spraying a mix of petroleum and sticky resins out of a tube would coat enemy ships before lighting on fire.
Fireshrieker is an iconic Mirrodin card that turns any creature into a hot threat.
7c. Byzantines were masters of using fire for war: spraying a mix of petroleum and sticky resins out of a tube would coat enemy ships before lighting on fire.
September 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Let’s celebrate #MTG HOTlanta with a little FIRE.
Fireshrieker is an iconic Mirrodin card that turns any creature into a hot threat.
7c. Byzantines were masters of using fire for war: spraying a mix of petroleum and sticky resins out of a tube would coat enemy ships before lighting on fire.
Fireshrieker is an iconic Mirrodin card that turns any creature into a hot threat.
7c. Byzantines were masters of using fire for war: spraying a mix of petroleum and sticky resins out of a tube would coat enemy ships before lighting on fire.
Gotta invest in these bad boys so we can play matches while standing in line. Small board states only.
September 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Gotta invest in these bad boys so we can play matches while standing in line. Small board states only.
The one, the only, the Plague Spitter
September 23, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The one, the only, the Plague Spitter
I’ve always wanted to build Dalakos, I think this is the spark I needed.
September 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I’ve always wanted to build Dalakos, I think this is the spark I needed.
Slate of Ancestry, first printed in Onslaught, is a great way for creature-based decks to do some drawing.
In our world, we do a lot of creature drawing too: the oldest known art, found on a South Indonesian island, depicts three human figures and a pig. This art is over 50,000 years old.
#MTG
In our world, we do a lot of creature drawing too: the oldest known art, found on a South Indonesian island, depicts three human figures and a pig. This art is over 50,000 years old.
#MTG
September 19, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Slate of Ancestry, first printed in Onslaught, is a great way for creature-based decks to do some drawing.
In our world, we do a lot of creature drawing too: the oldest known art, found on a South Indonesian island, depicts three human figures and a pig. This art is over 50,000 years old.
#MTG
In our world, we do a lot of creature drawing too: the oldest known art, found on a South Indonesian island, depicts three human figures and a pig. This art is over 50,000 years old.
#MTG
Yes!! I had these! Now I’ve got to watch all of your duel masters videos…
September 15, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Yes!! I had these! Now I’ve got to watch all of your duel masters videos…
Arcum’s Whistle is an artifact from Ice Age that forces a creature to attack or be destroyed.
It looks remarkably similar to Peruvian whistle jars, where, through a series of water-filled chambers can actually mimic the howling of wolves or twittering of birds when air is blown through them.
#MTG
It looks remarkably similar to Peruvian whistle jars, where, through a series of water-filled chambers can actually mimic the howling of wolves or twittering of birds when air is blown through them.
#MTG
September 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Arcum’s Whistle is an artifact from Ice Age that forces a creature to attack or be destroyed.
It looks remarkably similar to Peruvian whistle jars, where, through a series of water-filled chambers can actually mimic the howling of wolves or twittering of birds when air is blown through them.
#MTG
It looks remarkably similar to Peruvian whistle jars, where, through a series of water-filled chambers can actually mimic the howling of wolves or twittering of birds when air is blown through them.
#MTG
Ivory Crane Netsuke is an artifact that is a direct reference to our own world - a utilitarian artform from Japan, they were used to attach pouches, purses, writing implements, and other tools to a man’s kimono starting in the 17th century.
#MTG
#MTG
September 12, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Ivory Crane Netsuke is an artifact that is a direct reference to our own world - a utilitarian artform from Japan, they were used to attach pouches, purses, writing implements, and other tools to a man’s kimono starting in the 17th century.
#MTG
#MTG
Cal I found it. Tim Gaedke.
September 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Cal I found it. Tim Gaedke.
Did you know that the creature type ‘Myr’ comes from the Greek word for ant Myrmekes? Similarly, the ‘Myrmidons’ were an ancient tribe from Greek mythology known for their loyalty and servitude.
These little guys live to serve, so thank a Myr in your life today!
#MTG
These little guys live to serve, so thank a Myr in your life today!
#MTG
September 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Did you know that the creature type ‘Myr’ comes from the Greek word for ant Myrmekes? Similarly, the ‘Myrmidons’ were an ancient tribe from Greek mythology known for their loyalty and servitude.
These little guys live to serve, so thank a Myr in your life today!
#MTG
These little guys live to serve, so thank a Myr in your life today!
#MTG
Eater of Virtue is a sword from NEO that takes on the qualities of those it defeats in battle.
This reminds me of the famous Japanese swordsmith Muramasa, who was believed to be violent and ill-tempered, and so his swords were imbued with some of his spirit for bloodlust.
#MTG
This reminds me of the famous Japanese swordsmith Muramasa, who was believed to be violent and ill-tempered, and so his swords were imbued with some of his spirit for bloodlust.
#MTG
September 9, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Eater of Virtue is a sword from NEO that takes on the qualities of those it defeats in battle.
This reminds me of the famous Japanese swordsmith Muramasa, who was believed to be violent and ill-tempered, and so his swords were imbued with some of his spirit for bloodlust.
#MTG
This reminds me of the famous Japanese swordsmith Muramasa, who was believed to be violent and ill-tempered, and so his swords were imbued with some of his spirit for bloodlust.
#MTG
Nutrient Block is a food that can’t be destroyed!
That makes sense, since it’s based on the real-world food called hardtack.
Made of flour, water and salt, it’s baked two to four times over, lengthening its shelf life into the YEARS if kept dry.
Tastes better than a Magic card?
Slim maybe.
That makes sense, since it’s based on the real-world food called hardtack.
Made of flour, water and salt, it’s baked two to four times over, lengthening its shelf life into the YEARS if kept dry.
Tastes better than a Magic card?
Slim maybe.
September 8, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Nutrient Block is a food that can’t be destroyed!
That makes sense, since it’s based on the real-world food called hardtack.
Made of flour, water and salt, it’s baked two to four times over, lengthening its shelf life into the YEARS if kept dry.
Tastes better than a Magic card?
Slim maybe.
That makes sense, since it’s based on the real-world food called hardtack.
Made of flour, water and salt, it’s baked two to four times over, lengthening its shelf life into the YEARS if kept dry.
Tastes better than a Magic card?
Slim maybe.
Goblin Charbelcher can deal huge amounts of damage based on the amount of ‘junk’ you throw in off the top of your deck.
It’s based on the Blunderbuss - ancestor of the shotgun from the 17th c. that fired iron pellets but was also known to have scrap metal, broken glass, and stones used in a pinch.
It’s based on the Blunderbuss - ancestor of the shotgun from the 17th c. that fired iron pellets but was also known to have scrap metal, broken glass, and stones used in a pinch.
September 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Goblin Charbelcher can deal huge amounts of damage based on the amount of ‘junk’ you throw in off the top of your deck.
It’s based on the Blunderbuss - ancestor of the shotgun from the 17th c. that fired iron pellets but was also known to have scrap metal, broken glass, and stones used in a pinch.
It’s based on the Blunderbuss - ancestor of the shotgun from the 17th c. that fired iron pellets but was also known to have scrap metal, broken glass, and stones used in a pinch.