Complex Automaton
Nemesis 128 • rare
- Set
- Nemesis
- Collector number
- 128
- Rarity
- Rare
- Mana cost
- 4 generic mana
- Type
- Creature
- Colors
- Colorless
- Artist
- Dana Knutson
- Market price
- $0.29
What it does
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control seven or more permanents, return this creature to its owner's hand.
"This wasteful design cannot possibly be Phyrexian."— Belbe
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernNot legal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperNot legal
- BrawlNot legal
- HistoricNot legal
- TimelessNot legal
- Penny DreadfulNot legal
- 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.
Where to find one
Search for Complex Automaton on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Complex Automaton was released in the Nemesis expansion set for Magic: The Gathering in February 2000. As the third and final set in the Mercadian Masques block, Nemesis introduced a dark, mechanical aesthetic to the game's lore, focusing on the Phyrexian-influenced inhabitants of the plane of Mercadia. The card reflects the set's themes of artificial life and modular technology that dominated the block's design philosophy during the late nineties.
The artwork for this card was created by artist Jeff Miracola, whose work contributed significantly to the gothic and industrial visual identity of the period. Miracola’s design focuses on the intricate, clockwork nature of the automaton, emphasizing a sense of mechanical complexity that aligns with the card's functional role in the game. Upon its release, it was regarded as a quintessential representation of the artifacts found within the set, serving as a functional piece of deck utility that captured the thematic transition toward more engine-based gameplay mechanics.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Complex Automaton
Complex Automaton is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Nemesis 128 • 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.
How many collectors track Complex Automaton on collecto.rs?
Complex Automaton doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Complex Automaton?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other magic: the gathering collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Complex Automaton catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Complex Automaton is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs cards tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your cards is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every card you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free











