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Living Metal
Keyword Ability
Type Static
Introduced Transformers
Last used Transformers
Reminder Text Living metal (As long as it’s your turn, this Vehicle is also a creature.)
Statistics
13 cards
{W} 15.4% {U} 7.7% {B} 15.4% {R} 7.7% {W/U} 7.7% {U/B} 7.7% {B/R} 7.7% {R/W} 7.7% {M} 23.1%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Living Metal"

Living metal is a static ability. It only appears on the Vehicle face of Transformers cards and allows those cards to attack without requiring them to be crewed.[1][2]

Description[ | ]

Living Metal makes all Transformers in vehicle mode also count as a creature and does not require it to be crewed.[3]

“  Normally in Magic, you crew your vehicles with your creature, but nobody hops in and drives Optimus Prime. So, we solved that with the final Living Metal mechanic, which also plays into the fact that they’re robots in disguise on your opponent’s turns.  ”

—Gavin Verhey[3]

Rules[ | ]

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (September 20, 2024—Duskmourn: House of Horror)

Living Metal
A keyword ability found on some Vehicles that turns them into a creature during your turn. See rule 702.161, “Living Metal.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (September 20, 2024—Duskmourn: House of Horror)

  • 702.161. Living Metal
    • 702.161a Living metal is a keyword ability found on some Vehicles. “Living metal” means “During your turn, this permanent is an artifact creature in addition to its other types.”

Rulings[ | ]

  • "Living metal" means "As long as it's your turn, this permanent is an artifact creature in addition to its other types."[4]
  • While it's a creature, the Vehicle has its printed power and toughness.
  • If a static ability of another permanent applies only to noncreature permanents, that ability applies to a Vehicle with living metal only during your opponents' turns. For example, if you control Arcee, Acrobatic Coupe and March of the Machines, Arcee will be a 2/2 artifact creature during your turn and a 3/3 artifact creature (because its mana value is 3) during each opponent's turn.

Examples[ | ]

Example

Starscream, Seeker Leader
{CI_B} Legendary Artifact — Vehicle
2/3
Living Metal (As long as it’s your turn, this Vehicle is also a creature).
Flying, menace, haste
Whenever Starscream deals combat damage to a player, if there is no monarch, that player becomes the monarch.
Whenever you become the monarch, convert Starscream.

References[ | ]

  1. Hasbro Pulse Con 2022, DAY ONE (Video). Hasbro Pulse. YouTube (September 30, 2022).
  2. Matt Tabak (October 27, 2022). "The Brothers' War Mechanics". Magicthegathering.com.
  3. a b Ryan Dinsdale (September 30, 2022). "Exclusive: Optimus Prime and Other Transformers are Joining Magic: The Gathering". IGN.com.
  4. Jess Dunks (November 7, 2022). "The Brothers' War Release Notes". Magicthegathering.com.
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