Protomatter Powder
~$0.10 low · ~$0.16 high
Blue. Artifact
Shards of Alara #53 · Illustrated by Francis Tsai
Shards of Alara #53 · Illustrated by Francis TsaiWhat is Protomatter Powder worth?
TCGplayer, eBay and Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy.
TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
, 
, Sacrifice this artifact: Return target artifact card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
"There is no such thing as scrap metal. All such material can be repaired with the proper bonding agent." —Quennus, metallurgeon
Format legality
The only printing of Protomatter Powder
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Shards of Alara ala #53· 2008uncommon· Cardmarket €0.13 · €0.18 foil | uncommon | $0.10 | $0.16 | €0.13€0.18 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy Protomatter Powder
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We also take part in the TCGplayer (via Impact) and eBay Partner Network affiliate programs. Links to TCGplayer, eBay and Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Cardmarket links are not affiliate links.
Card details
- First printed
- 2008
- Printings
- 1
- Mana value
- 3
- EDHREC rank
- #29,400 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Artist
- Francis Tsai
What the codes mean
The small print at the bottom of the Shards of Alara card (#53).
53
- 53Collector number: this card's place in the set list. Main-set cards print it over the set's card count.
Cards from 1998 to mid-2014 print the collector number over the set's card count (like 90/383) next to the copyright line. They have no rarity letter, set code or language code: the set symbol and its colour show the set and rarity.
How to read a Magic card: every part and code, on real cards.
Card breakdown
The parts of Protomatter Powder, read from the Shards of Alara printing. How to read any Magic card.
- Name
- Protomatter Powder. Rules use the English name in every language.
- Mana cost
- Mana value 3: the total mana in the cost, colors ignored.
- Type line
- Artifact is the card type.
- Text box
- What the card does.
- Flavor text
- Italic story text below the rules. It has no effect on the game, and it can differ between printings.
- Illustration
- By Francis Tsai. The art has no effect on the game.
- Set symbol
- Shards of Alara. Silver means uncommon.
- Collector number
- 53 = collector number: this card's place in the set list. Main-set cards print it over the set's card count.
- Artist
- Francis Tsai, after the paintbrush.
- Copyright
- Wizards of the Coast's copyright notice, with the year.
Rulings (2)
2008-10-01
The only difference between a colored artifact and a colorless artifact is, obviously, its color. Unlike most artifacts, a colored artifact requires colored mana to cast. Also unlike most artifacts, a colored artifact has a color in all zones. It will interact with cards that care about color. Other than that, a colored artifact behaves just like any other artifact. It will interact as normal with any card that cares about artifacts, such as Shatter or Arcbound Ravager.
2008-10-01
You can’t sacrifice Protomatter Powder to return itself to the battlefield. First you choose the target (at which time it’s still on the battlefield), then you pay the costs (at which time you sacrifice it).
Browse more: Shards of Alara · all sets · search cards