A-Spell Satchel MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Abilities | Magecraft |
| Released | 2021-04-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Strixhaven: School of Mages |
| Set code | STX |
| Number | A-258 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | YW Tang |
Key Takeaways
- Accumulating counters with A Spell Satchel translates into greater card advantage for stronger deck efficiency.
- Imposes a discard requirement and specific mana cost that may disrupt hand balance and deck synergy.
- Suitably versatile, it adapts well to various decks and metas, offering both combo potential and flexibility.
Text of card
Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, put a book counter on Spell Satchel. , Remove a book counter from Spell Satchel: Add . , , Remove two book counters from Spell Satchel: Draw a card.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A Spell Satchel enables incremental card advantage by amassing counters that ultimately translate into drawing more cards. This consistent flow is vital for deck efficiency and maintaining pressure on your opponent throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: As the satchel’s counters increase, so does your potential for resource acceleration. This can lead to casting more potent spells earlier than usual, thus quickening your pace in the race for victory.
Instant Speed: The versatility of A Spell Satchel shines at instant speed, allowing you to adapt seamlessly to the evolving board state. Responsive play enhances your strategic depth, keeping opponents on their toes and unsure of your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A Spell Satchel comes with the drawback of necessitating the discard of a card to activate certain abilities. For players managing a delicate hand balance, this requirement can be punishing, potentially forcing the sacrifice of key components in their strategic setup.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact necessitates a dedicated investment of blue mana, which might not always be readily available. Decks that don’t run heavily or exclusively on blue mana may find integrating A Spell Satchel less seamless, potentially affecting deck synergy and fluidity of play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting this card comes at a cost, both in terms of mana and opportunity. In a game where tempo can determine victory or defeat, the mana investment required to bring A Spell Satchel into play might detract from other, potentially more impactful plays available to the caster, especially when considering other cards in the same mana range could offer equal or greater immediate value.
Reasons to Include A-Spell Satchel in Your Collection
Versatility: A-Spell Satchel is a flexible card that can suit a variety of deck types. Its ability to slowly ramp up your mana and provide access to multiple colors makes it a solid pick for multicolored decks or those that need a little mana boost.
Combo Potential: This card opens up diverse combo opportunities. With its charge counters, you can fuel potent spells or synergize with mechanics that interact with counters, enhancing your strategic plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to adjust to your mana needs and build up resources over time, A-Spell Satchel has the potential to adapt to various meta games, making it a valuable asset in environments where flexibility and incremental advantage are key.
How to Beat A-Spell Satchel
A-Spell Satchel presents an intriguing dynamic to the battlefield with its ability to gradually stockpile spells for later use. The card’s capacity to transform noncreature spells into knowledge counters and eventually trade those for card advantage can become a game changer if left unchecked. To effectively counteract the advantages offered by A-Spell Satchel, players must prioritize disruption tactics.
Strategies like targeted discard to remove key spells from your opponent’s hand before they can use them to fuel the satchel are particularly effective. Spell-based control decks that can apply consistent counter-pressure and remove threats as they arrive can prevent the Satchel from building up resources. Moreover, direct enchantment removal such as Naturalize or more versatile options like Disenchant are indispensable tools in stripping the Satchel of its presence on the board, nullifying the accrued value before it can be leveraged. Be proactive; allowing A-Spell Satchel to accumulate too much value can escalate into an insurmountable advantage for your adversary.
In conclusion, maintaining control over the game’s pace, employing strategic disruption, and executing timely removal are your best bet in overcoming the long-term benefits A-Spell Satchel could provide to an opponent in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards like A-Spell Satchel
The introduction of A-Spell Satchel into the complex fabric of Magic: The Gathering has been well-received by players looking for versatile mana resources. This card mirrors the flexibility of cards like Primal Amulet, turning mana spent on instants and sorceries into future investment. Where A-Spell Satchel sets itself apart is its ability to amass charge counters and convert them into any color of mana, akin to what Primal Amulet does once transformed.
Likewise, we can draw parallels with the ever-versatile Coalition Relic, which also offers a mana advantage but through a different route. Coalition Relic allows for the storage of mana across turns, giving it a unique angle on resource management. However, where A-Spell Satchel shines is in its interaction with casting spells – something Coalition Relic doesn’t capitalize on. Finally, we see similarities with Manalith, providing any color of mana but without the additional benefits granted by A-Spell Satchel’s unique mechanics.
Comparing these facets, A-Spell Satchel has a distinct identity within Magic: The Gathering as it rewards strategic spellcasting with an eventual burst of mana, situating itself as a card with both immediate and long-term benefits.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Spell Satchel MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 A-Spell Satchel and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Spell Satchel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |