The Watchful Automaton is a 2017 foil Common card from Magic: The Gathering's Aether Revolt set, featuring the artist Eric Deschamps and card number 182.
Watchful Automaton
2017 • Magic: The Gathering • Aether Revolt
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Other Versions of This Card
Compare every printing of this card, including versions no one is selling here right now.- FoilNot Listed HereMarket Value $0.21Currently Viewing
- BaseNot Listed HereMarket Value $0.04
Market & Price History
| Condition | Value | Source | Trend | Price Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0.21 | Guide Estimate | +5% | ||
- $0.21
- Source
- Guide Estimate
- Trend
- +5%
- Price Details
30-day Price History
Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Sep 24, 2026
Description
The Watchful Automaton stands as a distinct artifact construct within the Magic: The Gathering universe, specifically originating from the 2017 Aether Revolt expansion. This foil Common card, identified by the number 182 and set code AER, offers collectors a tangible piece of the set's steampunk aesthetic. Designed by artist Eric Deschamps, the card captures the intricate mechanical themes that defined the Aether Revolt era, making it a notable addition for those tracking the evolution of Magic's design language. As an Artifact Creature — Construct with a mana value of three, it represents a unique intersection of gameplay utility and collectible artistry. For players of Magic: The Gathering, the Watchful Automaton provides a strategic advantage through its ability to manipulate the top card of the library. By paying two mana of any color and one blue mana, players can scry one, allowing them to look at the top card and decide whether to keep it on top or put it on the bottom. This subtle control mechanism reflects the card's flavor text, which emphasizes the importance of surveillance and preparation in the face of conflict. The card's blue color identity and Construct subtype further integrate it into the broader narrative of the Aether Revolt storyline, where innovation and industry play pivotal roles. Collectors often seek out foil versions of Common cards like the Watchful Automaton for their shimmering finish and the challenge of completing set collections. The foil treatment adds a layer of visual appeal, distinguishing these cards from their non-foil counterparts while maintaining the same gameplay functionality. Whether you are building a themed deck around artifact creatures or simply appreciating the craftsmanship of Eric Deschamps' illustration, this card offers both aesthetic and functional value. Adding the Watchful Automaton to your collection connects you to a specific moment in Magic's history, where creativity and strategy converged to produce memorable gaming experiences.
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Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Watchful Automaton
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Common
Eric Deschamps
Card Stock
English
Foil
{3}
Artifact Creature — Construct
2 / 2
Card Text
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{2}{U}: Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
"Before we can destroy our enemies, we must find them. We must peer into every wretched hovel and every teeming market." —Baral, Chief of Compliance
