This spell is very similar in effect to Artifact Champions (36/AR). It allows a magic item or artifact in your pool to become a hero. Since it must target magic items or artifacts in the pool, it can not target any realm specific artifacts or magic items (like The Triton Throne (65/DU) or Boiling Oil (55/DU)) to become champions.

The hero's level equals the artifact or item's icon bonus. Then it is vulnerable to cards that kill heroes (like the Living Scroll (408/2nd) or Unholy Word (44/MI)), destroy magic items or artifacts (like Crystalbrittle (53/RR)), or cards that counter spells (like Dispel (400/4th)).

This works best for nasty or persistant magic items and artifacts. Good examples include: Staff of Conjuring (105/3rd), Kevin's Blade of Doom (206/3rd) (since it is a hero), The Labyrinth Map of Shucc (410/3rd), Vorpal Blade (56/FR), Rod of 7 Parts, #7 (27/AR) (especially nasty when combined), Winged Boots (20/AR), Fate's Promise (6/PO-chase), The Ring of Gaxx (4/UD-chase), The Sword and Helm of Garion (21/UD-chase), Tighmaevril Sword (46/BR), Scimitar of Speed (205/4th), Wand of Orcus (1/AR), Pearl Pegasus (70/DU), or Orb of Delight (68/IQ).

However, the best combo, bar none, for Animate Object is Murlynd's Spoon (65/IQ). Since the spoon can not be discarde by the oppoent or any card the oppoent controls, it is safer than Chernevik (347/4th) in the pool, and, if defeated in battle, only returns to the pool.

The ONLY way to get rid of an animated spoon is dispelling the spell, or sending it to the Abyss or Void (since that is stronger than discarding).

This card will see play in many different fun decks, but it isn't strong enough to make most tournament decks, since magic counters are the rule in that setting.