Academy Rector MTG Card


Academy Rector offers significant enchantment access, potentially altering the game’s flow when it’s sacrificed. Resource acceleration is a key advantage, bypassing hefty enchantment costs for instant board impact. Strategically timing its sacrifice can disrupt opponents’ plans, leveraging instant speed removals.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Academy Rector is put into a graveyard from play, you may remove Academy Rector from the game. If you do, search your library for an enchantment card and put that card into play. Then shuffle your library.


Cards like Academy Rector

Academy Rector holds a unique spot in the world of MTG as a powerful enabler for combo and control decks. This card is often measured against Enlightened Tutor, another classic for fetching powerful enchantments directly into hand. While Enlightened Tutor offers immediacy and a lower casting cost, Academy Rector has the potential to bring any enchantment directly into play, bypassing costs and potentially setting up game-winning plays upon its death.

Idyllic Tutor shares a semblance with our Rector, providing targeted enchantment searches while maintaining a valued slot in many commander decks. Where it falls short is in the ability to cheat mana costs, an area where Academy Rector excels. Sterling Grove is not left out of the conversation, providing both enchantment tutoring and protection. But unlike the immediate effect on the board state that Academy Rector can have, Sterling Grove’s tutoring to the hand is slower.

Overall, Academy Rector stands out in MTG for those looking to harness the power of enchantments without the usual mana constraints. Its unique ability to change the course of a game upon its departure from the battlefield distinguishes it significantly from its contemporaries.

Enlightened Tutor - MTG Card versions
Idyllic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sterling Grove - MTG Card versions
Enlightened Tutor - MTG Card versions
Idyllic Tutor - MTG Card versions
Sterling Grove - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Academy Rector by color, type and mana cost

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Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions
Akroan Mastiff - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Guard - MTG Card versions
Galepowder Mage - MTG Card versions
Kor Cartographer - MTG Card versions
Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions
Akroan Mastiff - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Academy Rector. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
AlurenAluren LegacyAlurenEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Academy Rector is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you may exile it. If you do, search your library for an enchantment card and put that card onto the battlefield. This powerful ability can provide a significant card advantage, allowing you to obtain high-impact enchantments directly into play.

Resource Acceleration: Through its unique tutor effect, Academy Rector can skip the usual mana cost of casting a high-cost enchantment. This grants you a form of resource acceleration by removing the burden of accumulating the requisite mana for some of your most powerful and game-changing spells.

Instant Speed: Though the rector itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it enables a strategy involving instant speed removal spells to sacrifice it during an opponent’s turn. This can catch an opponent off guard and allows you to deploy a threatening enchantment at a critical juncture, disrupting their plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Academy Rector prompts a condition that demands it to head to the graveyard to trigger its ability, potentially necessitating deliberate discard tactics or sac outlets in your setup. This could result in a cumbersome requirement if the necessary setup isn’t already on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: With a strict cost that encompasses two white mana, Academy Rector’s casting requirement can be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle with mana consistency, making it less flexible compared to more color-fluid alternatives.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana to play, the Academy Rector may stand out as a high investment, particularly in more aggressive or streamline strategies aiming for lower cost curves where rapid plays could determine the game’s outcome.


Reasons to Include Academy Rector in Your Collection

Versatility: Academy Rector can be a game-changer in decks that utilize enchantments. Its ability to search for any enchantment card upon death and put it directly onto the battlefield gives it a place in a variety of strategies, from controlling to combo-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: With the ability to fetch powerful enchantments like Omniscience or Doubling Season, academy rector opens the door to numerous game-ending combinations. It’s a catalyst in setting up board states that opponents find difficult to overcome.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where enchantments play a key role, or in commander where single-card impact can be immense, Academy Rector maintains a strong presence. Its ability to pivot a game’s direction makes it relevant and a must-have in many high-level decks.


How to Beat Academy Rector

Academy Rector poses a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering as it allows players to cheat powerful enchantments onto the battlefield upon its death. To handle this, you need to manage the board without triggering the Rector’s ability. One effective method is to use exile effects that remove it from the game without sending it to the graveyard such as with Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares. Another tactic is to deploy cards like Grafdigger’s Cage, which restrict players from utilizing the graveyard to summon enchantments.

Players can also apply pressure using counterspells to disrupt the opponent’s strategy and prevent the Rector from hitting the board in the first place. In a pinch, transforming the Rector into a different creature via cards like Oko, Thief of Crowns or Kenrith’s Transformation will eliminate its threatening ability while leaving a less impactful creature on the board. Remember to plan your moves and control the pace of the game to ensure Academy Rector doesn’t turn the tables against you.

By carefully considering your removal options and keeping a close eye on your opponent’s maneuvers, you can ensure the Rector’s effect remains a minimal threat, maintaining the upper hand throughout the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Academy Rector card is a strategic gem in MTG that can significantly tilt the game in your favor. As you’ve learned, its ability to fetch enchantments directly onto the battlefield makes it a powerhouse in the right deck. Whether you’re accelerating resources, taking opponents by surprise, or building a collection that stands the test of time, this card offers unparalleled advantages. For players eager to enhance their game and harness the power of enchantments, Academy Rector is a valuable addition. Dive deeper into the strategic nuances and elevate your deck. Discover more insights and take your MTG expertise to the next level with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Academy Rector MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Academy Rector and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Academy Rector Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2000-08-02. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-06-07Urza's DestinyUDS 11997NormalBlackHeather Hudson
22000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 nl11997NormalGoldHeather Hudson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Academy Rector has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Academy Rector card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 You do not have to find an enchantment card if you do not want to, even if you have one in your library.
2005-08-01 An enchantment card is any Enchantment card, including Auras.