Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Flavor-driven mechanics in artifact lore
There’s something delightfully pragmatic about a tiny, colorless construct that quietly pummels your strategy into shape 🧙🔥. The creature in question—a modest 1/1 Artifact Creature — Mole—asks you to invest a little to gain a lot, both on its own board presence and in the health of your commanders. For Just {1} mana, Drillworks Mole offers a compact engine: pay {2} and tap to place a +1/+1 counter on itself and on up to one target commander creature you control. It’s a simple idea, executed with a lot of character and a touch of cleverness, which is exactly the kind of flavor the Baldur’s Gate era loved to fold into artifact design 💎⚔️.
Card data snapshot
- Mana cost: {1} (colorless)
- Type: Artifact Creature — Mole
- Power/Toughness: 1/1
- Set: Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB), released 2022-06-10
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Text: {2}, {T}: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature and a +1/+1 counter on up to one target commander creature you control.
- Artist: José Parodi
Strategic role in Commander and beyond
In a multiplayer arena where your commander is often the central engine, a tiny artifact that can empower that very commander is a design win 🧙🔥. The Mole’s ability boosts itself and a chosen commander, enabling a gradual, scalable approach to board impact. Early on, you’ll likely drop a counter on the Mole and your commander to set up a later, bigger pay-off. As the table stabilizes, you can chain these activations to push your commander into the kinds of ranges that threaten lethal combat or unlock potent activated abilities. It’s a subtle engine, but in the hands of a patient player, it pays dividends that feel almost cinematic ⚔️.
Of course, the real kicker is how it interacts with counter-based synergies. Effects that double or proliferate +1/+1 counters suddenly turn a humble {2}, {T} sequence into a torrent of growth. Cards like Hardened Scales, for instance, can double the number of counters placed, stretching the Mole’s impact across multiple targets and turns. The result is a tiny catalyst that scales beautifully with your deck’s engine pieces, rewarding thoughtful sequencing and careful protection 🎲.
Flavor textures: digging, dwarves, and danger
The flavor text paints a vivid snapshot of Baldur’s Gate’s grit and humor: soldiers bracing for a fearsome beast, only to reveal a far quirkier source of tremors. This is a card that leans into the idea of quiet, essential labor—the kind of artifact that isn’t flashy, but keeps the gears turning. The art, too, reinforces that narrative: a compact, industrious construct designed for precision work, ready to drill into the heart of your deck’s strategy 🎨. It’s small-scale mechanization with outsized impact—the kind of flavor that makes players grin at the table and say, “Yep, that’s exactly the kind of clever thing we’re all here for 🧙🔥.”
Design notes: artifact identity and compact utility
From a design perspective, Drillworks Mole leans into colorless resilience and straightforward utility. A 1/1 with a two-mana tap ability that distributes counters keeps mana curves friendly while inviting creative commander interactions. The clause “on up to one target commander creature you control” invites you to protect, empower, or accelerate your durably built board state. In a set renowned for innovation in multiplayer drafting and deckbuilding, this card stands out as a reliable engine that rewards patient construction and careful threat assessment 💎.
Collector’s moment: value, foils, and variety
As an uncommon from a set famous for its legendary, high-concept artifacts, Drillworks Mole earns a place in both casual and collector conversations. In nonfoil form it’s an accessible addition to any Commander build that appreciates a steady trickle of counters; in foil, it’s a touch of sparkle that suits showcase sleeves. While its raw market price remains modest, the real value lies in its dependable performance and the delightful synergy with counter themes that many players love to explore. If you enjoy building around your commander’s best activations, this little Mole is a dependable companion on the journey 🧙🔥.
Practical tips and a nod to a modern desk mate
For fans who like a touch of thematic flair on the desk, pairing this card with a bright, eye-catching workspace accessory can elevate your play area. The Round Rectangular Neon Neoprene Mouse Pad you’ll find linked below is a cheerful backdrop for tracking counters and mana as you build your board, weaving together playroom aesthetics with the tactical mind-set of a Commander session 🎲. It’s an extra nudge toward the kind of engaging, tabletop atmosphere that makes the game feel like a gathering of friends rather than a race to mill out a combo.
Play options and synergy ideas
- Pair with counter-doubling effects to maximize each activation.
- Target your commander to create a resilient, counter-heavy threat on turns when you need reach.
- Include with other artifacts or colorless support pieces to maintain a lean, efficient deck core.