Magic: The Gathering

Adaptive Automaton

Magic 2012 201 • rare

Set: Magic 2012
Collector number: 201
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 3 generic mana
Type: Creature
Colors: Colorless
Artist: Igor Kieryluk
Market price: $1.29

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$1.29est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

7other printings of this card

Market

What it's worth

$1.29market price via TCGplayer · Oct 8, 2026$1.06 – $1.29 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Adaptive Automaton; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

As a rare artifact, the Adaptive Automaton functions as a versatile utility piece that allows players to bridge the gap between disparate creature types. Its ability to adopt any chosen creature type mid-game makes it an essential tool for tribal decks that rely on synergistic bonuses.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Card face

What it does

As this creature enters, choose a creature type.

This creature is the chosen type in addition to its other types.

Other creatures you control of the chosen type get +1/+1.

Such loyalty can only be made.

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardLegal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
Penny DreadfulLegal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Adaptive Automaton was introduced in the Magic 2012 core set, released in 2011. Designed to function as a versatile utility card, it was created to support tribal-themed decks by providing a colorless creature that could gain the creature type of the player's choice upon entering the battlefield. This design reflected a desire by Wizards of the Coast to offer players a flexible tool that could bridge the gaps in decks focused on specific creature synergies regardless of color restrictions.

The card was illustrated by Mike Bierek, who depicted the automaton as a modular, metallic construct, visually reinforcing its mechanical and interchangeable nature. Upon its release, it was well-received by the Magic: The Gathering community, particularly among casual and Commander players, who appreciated its ability to bolster less-supported creature tribes. It has since become a staple inclusion in various artifact-themed and tribal decks due to its reliable, repeatable effect.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Adaptive Automaton

Adaptive Automaton is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Magic 2012 201 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

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Where does the Adaptive Automaton catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Adaptive Automaton is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.