Acridian MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Abilities | Echo |
| Released | 1998-10-12 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Saga |
| Set code | USG |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 230 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | rk post |
Text of card
Echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.)
The elves of Argoth were trained to ride these creatures, even when their mounts traveled upside-down.
Cards like Acridian
The landscape of Magic: The Gathering is diverse, offering a myriad of creatures with unique abilities. Acridian joins the roster as an intriguing green card, inviting comparisons with other creatures of its ilk. It bears a resemblance to creatures that carry the echo cost, such as Albino Troll. Both cards offer a powerful board presence early in the game, due to their relatively low initial mana cost. However, unlike Albino Troll, Acridian does not have the regenerate ability, which can give the troll a staying power that Acridian lacks.
Another creature that echoes Acridian’s traits is Uktabi Orangutan. This primate shares the same mana cost and also falls in the green category. The main difference lies in the Orangutan’s ability to destroy artifacts upon entering the battlefield, providing an immediate board impact. In contrast, Acridian’s fading mechanic means it requires strategic planning to ensure it remains relevant throughout the game.
In analyzing these creatures, Acridian is a versatile choice for green-based decks. It requires careful timing to maximize its potential. Although it doesn’t have some of the immediate effects or resilience of similar cards, its fading ability can be leveraged by seasoned players to great effect in the dynamic environment of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Acridian by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Acridian may seem modest at a glance, but its card advantage potential comes from its Echo ability. When played smartly, it can force your opponent to deal with it twice, effectively draining their resources while you maintain your board presence. This subtle edge can tip the scales in matches where every card counts.
Resource Acceleration: Although Acridian isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, its low cost makes it an efficient early-game play. This allows you to keep mana open for other critical plays, helping you to smoothly transition into the mid-game with a solid footing. In other words, Acridian fits nicely into a curve, ensuring you’re maximizing your mana usage at every stage of the game.
Instant Speed: While Acridian itself isn’t an instant, its presence on the board could coerce the opponent into expending their instant-speed removal prematurely. This strategical nuance can create openings for you to safely play more potent threats, all while Acridian offers a persistent challenge that demands an answer.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Acridian requires a player to discard a card to utilize its Echo ability. This can be a setback when the player’s hand is already depleted or when all remaining cards are essential to the player’s strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a specific blend of mana—two green and one of any color. This requirement restricts Acridian’s inclusion to decks that can reliably produce green mana, potentially excluding it from more diverse or color-flexible strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature of its stats and abilities, Acridian’s mana cost is on the higher side. Players often have access to creatures with more impactful abilities or better stats at this cost threshold, making Acridian less appealing for competitive play.
Reasons to Include Acridian in Your Collection
Versatility: Acridian is a flexible creature that can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of deck archetypes. Its simple mana requirements make it a reliable early-game play that can be advantageous in both aggressive and control-based strategies.
Combo Potential: With its echo ability, Acridian can be used strategically to synergize with cards that capitalize on creature sacrifice or enter the battlefield effects. This synergy can enable powerful combinations and unexpected plays within your deck’s overall synergy.
Meta-Relevance: Given the shifting landscape of the meta, Acridian can serve as a resilient inclusion that adjusts well to various playing fields. It could provide the necessary balance in a collection to outmaneuver opponents who aren’t prepared for its quite adaptable nature.
How to Beat Acridian
Acridian, a classic creature from the Tempest set, offers a distinctive echo mechanic that once challenged players to strategize differently while facing off against it in Magic: The Gathering. Featuring both flying and phasing, this creature can be elusive and potentially frustrating to combat without proper preparation. However, there’s a myriad of strategies to counter it effectively.
One efficient way to gain an upper hand against Acridian is by exploiting its phasing trait, which causes it to phase out every other turn. Utilize this window to pressure your opponent or fortify your board presence. Cards with instant speed removal or ‘flash’ creatures can surprise an opponent by capitalizing on the turns Acridian is out of play. Furthermore, since Acridian has the echo cost, you can force your opponent to decide between paying the cost and developing their board, potentially putting them behind in tempo.
Another approach is to use cards that prevent phasing or manipulate enters-the-battlefield effects, directly negating its main advantages. Ensnaring its abilities with such spells can easily turn the tide of the game. In essence, by understanding the nuances of Acridian’s abilities and the timing of its appearances, players can maneuver around this creature and minimize the impact it has on the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Acridian MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Acridian and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Acridian has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |