Artifact type

An artifact type is any subtype used for the further classification of artifact cards.

Description

Unlike creature types, artifact types don't appear on all artifacts. Instead they are only introduced for mechanical purposes.

Half of the artifact types are also varieties of predefined token, which come with default characteristics and abilities defined in game rules. Those types can also be used on non-token cards just like other subtypes.

List of artifact types

Attraction

Attractions represent top-down tropes from carnivals, amusement parks, and circuses (e.g. rides, games, and stands). Attractions are kept in a separate deck, and they don't have normal Magic card backs.

Blood

Blood is a variety of predefined artifact token with ", , Discard a card, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card."

Bobblehead

Bobblehead is an artifact type introduced in Universes Beyond: Fallout to represent the Vault-Tec bobblehead figures. Within the Fallout franchise they are used as stat increasing items for the seven primary statistics.

Clue

Clues are predefined artifact tokens with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card." Clue is also the subtype of a few printed cards.

Contraption

Contraptions were only mentioned on Steamflogger Boss until Unstable featured cards with this subtype. They are played from a separate Contraption deck through assembling.

Equipment

Equipment cards enter the battlefield just like any other artifact, but may be attached to creatures using their Equip ability. Unlike Auras, however, if an Equipment is attached to a creature and the creature leaves the battlefield, the Equipment remains on the battlefield.

Food

Food is a variety of predefined artifact token with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life." Food is also the subtype of a few printed cards.

Fortification

Fortifications act just like Equipment, except that fortifications attach to lands instead using their Fortify ability. Only one fortification has ever been printed, and its return has been called unlikely.

Gold

Gold is a variety of predefined artifact token with "Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color."

Incubator

Incubators are predefined double-faced artifact tokens with ": Transform this artifact." on their front face and a 0/0 Phyrexian artifact creature on their back face. They are created exclusively with the Incubate mechanic.

Junk

Junk is a variety of predefined artifact introduced in Universes Beyond: Fallout with ": Sacrifice this artifact: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn. Activate only as a sorcery."

Key

Key appears on Corrupted Key, a test card in the Mystery Booster set. It has no rules meaning or function by itself, but other cards and abilities may refer to it.

Map

Map is a variety of predefined artifact token with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery."

Powerstone

Powerstone is a variety of predefined artifact token with ": Add . This mana can't be spent to cast a nonartifact spell."

Treasure

Treasures are predefined artifact tokens with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color." Similar to Gold, except that they have to be tapped. Some printed cards also use Treasure as a subtype.

Vehicle

Vehicle is an artifact which can temporarily become an artifact creature by assigning a crew. Unlike some other subtypes on this page, Vehicle does not have baggage attached to its subtype, but they are visually unusual by being a non-creature with printed power and toughness values.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

Artifact Type

A subtype that’s correlated to the artifact card type. See rule 301, “Artifacts.” See rule 205.3g for the list of artifact types.

From the Comprehensive Rules (April 12, 2024—Outlaws of Thunder Junction)

• 205.3g Artifacts have their own unique set of subtypes; these subtypes are called artifact types. The artifact types are Attraction (see rule 717), Blood, Bobblehead, Clue, Contraption, Equipment (see rule 301.5), Food, Fortification (see rule 301.6), Gold, Incubator, Junk, Map, Powerstone, Treasure, and Vehicle (see rule 301.7).