Elixir of Vitality MTG Card


Elixir of Vitality aids in card flow and maintains pressure through consistent card drawing abilities. Its life gain and instant speed play make it a flexible and tactical choice during pivotal moments. Despite power, the discard requirement and mana specificity pose strategic deck-building challenges.
Elixir of Vitality - Mirage
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Released1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set nameMirage
Set codeMIR
Number300
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDouglas Shuler

Text of card

Elixir of Vitality comes into play tapped. oc T, Sacrifice Elixir of Vitality: Gain 4 life. o8, oc T, Sacrifice Elixir of Vitality: Gain 8 life.

"Eternal life or your money back." —Unnamed Suq'Ata merchant, deceased


Cards like Elixir of Vitality

Elixir of Vitality offers a unique spin on life gain artifacts within Magic: The Gathering. It’s somewhat akin to artifacts like Pristine Talisman, which also allow you to gain life. Yet, Elixir of Vitality boosts its appeal with an additional ability – the option to gain far more life if four or more mana are spent. Pristine Talisman doesn’t give as much life and lacks the scalability of Elixir of Vitality.

Examining other comparable options, we find Alchemist’s Vial also allows you to manipulate the game, albeit through creature control rather than increasing life totals. Alchemist’s Vial can hinder an opponent’s creature, which could be pivotal during combat. While both cards require an investment of mana for activation, Elixir of Vitality directly impacts life totals, which could be a game-changer in prolonged matches.

Ultimately, when you line up Elixir of Vitality against its counterparts in the realm of life gain and control artifacts, it stands out for its flexible life gain potential, which can make a real difference in games where maintaining a high life total is critical.

Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alchemist's Vial - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alchemist's Vial - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play Elixir of Vitality, it helps you sustain your hand’s momentum by letting you consistently draw cards, keeping the pressure up and options wide against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s intrinsic ability to bolster your life total works as a buffer, granting you the much-needed time and safety to marshal your resources and develop your play strategy without the immediate pressure of a dwindling life count.

Instant Speed: As a card that can be played at instant speed, Elixir of Vitality offers flexibility in your gameplay. You can respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, making it a tactical asset in your arsenal that could turn the tide at a critical juncture.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A major downside of the Elixir of Vitality card is its discard stipulation. Activating its potential often means depleting your hand, which can leave you at a significant strategic disadvantage, particularly in games where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Elixir of Vitality has a specific mana cost that can restrict its use to certain decks, limiting its versatility. Players who don’t consistently have the necessary mana might find it challenging to harness its full potential on the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side, Elixir of Vitality competes with other cards in your deck that might offer more immediate or impactful advantages. This can make it a less appealing choice when optimizing your deck’s mana curve for peak performance.


Reasons to Include Elixir of Vitality in Your Collection

Versatility: Elixir of Vitality can be a valuable addition to decks that seek incremental life gain or that rely on life-total as a resource for various card effects.

Combo Potential: With life gain strategies, Elixir of Vitality may be paired with cards that trigger on life gain or threshold life totals to create potent synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are prevalent, the consistent life gain from Elixir of Vitality can provide the necessary buffer to stabilize and edge out opponents.


How to beat Elixir of Vitality

Elixir of Vitality may appear as an unassuming artifact, but when used effectively, it can significantly alter the course of a game by granting its controller extra life. Beating this card involves applying pressure and not allowing your opponent to stabilize their health. Aim to control the board and keep the momentum in your favor. Aggressive strategies work well against decks that rely on life gain for longevity, so consider bolstering your attacks early to keep your opponent on the back foot. Efficient removal spells are key, as they can disrupt Elixir activations, potentially stranding the artifact on the board without impact. Additionally, you could employ graveyard manipulation tactics to preemptively remove the Elixir, mitigating its ability to return to the battlefield once sacrificed. Consistent damage, board control, and strategic spell casting are your greatest assets when facing down the resilience offered by Elixir of Vitality.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elixir of Vitality MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Elixir of Vitality and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elixir of Vitality has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal