Aethermage's Touch MTG Card
2006-05-05 - Number 101
2013-11-01 - Number 176
2017-03-17 - Number 148
2017-06-09 - Number 172
2018-08-09 - Number 168
2022-07-08 - Number 167
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Reveal the top four cards of your library. You may put a creature card from among them into play with "At the end of your turn, return this creature to its owner's hand." Then put the rest of the cards revealed this way on the bottom of your library in any order.
Cards like Aethermage's Touch
Aethermage’s Touch stands out as a unique instant in MTG, inviting comparisons to the likes of Show and Tell and Collected Company. Like Aethermage’s Touch, Show and Tell allows you to put a creature onto the battlefield, but it extends this privilege to each player, which adds a layer of risk. Collected Company digs deeper into the deck, pulling up to two creatures out of the top six cards, yet it’s restricted to those with a lower mana cost.
Then there’s the spell Summoning Trap, which, if a creature spell is countered, lets you look at the top seven cards of your library, putting a creature from among them onto the battlefield without paying its mana cost. This effect is reminiscent of Aethermage’s Touch’s trigger from the hand, while offering a reactionary edge. However, unlike Aethermage’s Touch, it doesn’t require the card to return to your hand, leaving the creature on the battlefield indefinitely.
While each card brings its unique advantage to the game, Aethermage’s Touch offers a strategic element for players who prefer instant speed response and the potential for recurring creature effects every turn.
Cards similar to Aethermage's Touch by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Aethermage's Touch. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Reanimator | Modern | Esper Reanimator | $10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aethermage’s Touch gives players the unique ability to peek at the top four cards of their library, choosing a creature card from among them to put onto the battlefield temporarily. This bypasses traditional casting costs, potentially bringing out a high-cost creature early in the game to swing the board state in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although the card itself doesn’t directly produce mana or acceleration, the act of placing a creature card on the battlefield without paying its mana cost can be considered a form of resource acceleration. This can significantly advance your board presence and save crucial mana for controlling the game on subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: The fact that Aethermage’s Touch can be cast at instant speed adds an element of surprise and strategic depth to your gameplay. It allows you to wait for the perfect moment during your opponent’s turn to temporarily introduce a powerful ally to the battlefield, potentially disrupting their strategy or forcing them to react unexpectedly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aethermage’s Touch commands you to put the creature back into your hand at the beginning of the next end step, which could potentially compel you to discard if you’re already holding a full grip of cards. This can force you to make difficult decisions and lose out on other valuable options in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s mana cost demands a precise combination of colors, which can be challenging in multicolored decks that might struggle with color consistency. If you don’t draw the right mana sources, the card could be stranded in your hand, uncastable when you most need it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two color-specific ones, Aethermage’s Touch is on the pricey side for an effect that doesn’t guarantee a permanent impact on the board. There are alternatives which could provide more enduring advantages for the same, or less, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Aethermage’s Touch in Your Collection
Versatility: Aethermage’s Touch allows you to cheat out creatures at instant speed, offering an unexpected play by potentially dropping a heavy-hitting creature onto the battlefield during your opponent’s turn.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects, maximizing their potential when summoned unexpectedly. It also pairs well with cards that care about casting creatures or spells with high converted mana costs.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where instant-speed interaction is pivotal, Aethermage’s Touch can be a game-changer. It adapts well in a meta where surprising your opponent can turn the tide in your favor, especially against decks that are not prepared for instant-speed threats.
How to beat Aethermage’s Touch
Aethermage’s Touch is a unique entry in the MTG card repertoire, beckoning creatures from your library right onto the battlefield. This instantaneous effect can indeed sway the flow of a duel, yet it’s not without counter strategies. Unlike similar spells, such as Aether Vial, which can repeatedly put creatures into play, Aethermage’s Touch returns the creature to its owner’s hand at the beginning of the next end step unless you cast it. This temporary benefit requires a savvy player to make an immediate impact.
Control decks that use countermagic like Negate or Mana Leak can effectively neutralize Aethermage’s Touch, nipping the surprise element in the bud. Another efficient method is to hold back removal spells or board wipes, like Doom Blade or Wrath of God, to clear out the creatures brought into play. Moreover, since Aethermage’s Touch targets only your library, hand disruption tools such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can dismantle the player’s plan before they even get the chance to cast the spell.
To stay ahead, always be prepared for unpredicted plays and maintain a balance of proactive and reactive strategies in your deck. That way, you’ll be able to mitigate the impact of game-changing cards like Aethermage’s Touch and keep control on your side of the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aethermage's Touch MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Commander 2013, 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 Aethermage's Touch and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Aethermage's Touch Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-05-05 | Dissension | DIS | 101 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 176 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 3 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 4 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 5 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 6 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aethermage's Touch has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |