Akoum Refuge MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 210
2011-06-17 - Number 264
2013-03-15 - Number 73
2013-11-01 - Number 272
2015-08-28 - Number 67
2017-06-09 - Number 238
2017-08-25 - Number 233
2018-08-09 - Number 231
2019-08-23 - Number 226
2019-11-07 - Number 1651
2020-09-26 - Number CMA-238
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Akoum Refuge enters the battlefield tapped. When Akoum Refuge enters the battlefield, you gain 1 life. : Add or to your mana pool.
Cards like Akoum Refuge
Akoum Refuge is a versatile land card in MTG that mirrors the attributes of a whole spectrum of dual lands. One notable comparison is with Wind-Scarred Crag. Both lands enter the battlefield tapped and offer a life-gain perk, providing a minor cushion to your life total. Akoum Refuge provides access to both black and red mana, while Wind-Scarred Crag taps for red and white mana, making each suitable for different deck archetypes. Nevertheless, Akoum Refuge can be a pivotal asset in a black-red deck, especially for those who are managing their life as a resource.
Exploring further, we notice the similarities with Jungle Hollow and Rugged Highlands. Each one tailors to specific color pairs and offers the same life gain advantage upon entry. However, the mana utility differs according to the deck’s foundation colors. Akoum Refuge aligns closely with these cards in terms of setting up your mana base while also offering a slight buffer to your life total.
In gauging the value of Akoum Refuge against its counterparts, it’s clear the card can be an essential piece in decks that pivot around the black and red combination. It’s a reliable land choice, gracefully balancing mana fixing and life gain, albeit with the setback of coming into play tapped.
Cards similar to Akoum Refuge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Akoum Refuge enters the battlefield tapped, but as a benefit, it immediately allows you to gain one life. While this may seem minor, every incremental advantage counts, and in the longer games, this life gain can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Resource Acceleration: This land provides you with access to two colors of mana (red and black), which is vital for any deck looking to play spells outside of a single color. This dual-land nature enables smoother mana curves, allowing you to cast more impactful spells earlier.
Instant Speed: While Akoum Refuge doesn’t have an ability that functions at instant speed, the very nature of lands is that they can be played quickly during your main phases. This ensures that, despite coming into play tapped, you can still plan around it and have your mana ready for use during your next turn without missing a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Akoum Refuge does not directly impose a discard requirement on the player. However, its utility in a game can indirectly lead to a tighter hand, where each card’s value is weighed against the advantage of land plays. Choosing when to play Akoum Refuge versus holding onto other cards can become a tricky balance.
Specific Mana Cost: As a land card that provides red and black mana, Akoum Refuge has a definite place in decks that correspond to these colors. However, for MTG players not running red or black, or those needing a more flexible mana base, this card might not fit as well into their strategy, narrowing its utility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Entering the battlefield tapped is a significant drawback for many players. The tempo loss this represents can be seen as a high “cost,” especially in fast-paced games where speed is of the essence. Other dual lands or mana acceleration options might serve a similar purpose without the delay of coming into play tapped.
Reasons to Include Akoum Refuge in Your Collection
Versatility: Akoum Refuge offers a dual land advantage that provides both red and black mana, making it a robust choice for any deck running these colors. Its flexibility in mana fixing is essential for multicolored decks that require a consistent and stable mana base.
Combo Potential: Beyond its mana-fixing ability, Akoum Refuge has a welcoming synergy with life-gain strategies or cards that trigger upon gaining life. It can be a tactical inclusion in decks that capitalize on even the smallest life changes to turn the tides of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where life totals can be a tight race, the additional life gain from Akoum Refuge might offer the slight edge needed. Especially relevant in slower-paced, grindy games where each point of life can count towards eventual victory.
How to beat
Akoum Refuge is a versatile land card popular among MTG deck builders for its dual mana and life-gaining abilities. Upon entering the battlefield, it allows you to gain 1 life—a small but often crucial advantage. To strategize against Akoum Refuge, consider the tempo of your gameplay. Use land destruction cards such as Ghost Quarter to mitigate its benefits, forcing your opponent to remain on the back foot, stripping them of the mana diversity and slight life gain advantage Akoum Refuge provides.
Aggressive decks with fast mana curves can also overshadow the benefits of Akoum Refuge. By applying pressure early on, the life gained can become insignificant as you push for a quick win. Additionally, nonbasic land hate cards like Blood Moon can turn Akoum Refuge into a basic Mountain, nullifying its utility and restricting your opponent’s mana base, making it tougher for them to cast multicolored spells efficiently.
Remember that every card, even a dual land like Akoum Refuge, can be countered with the right approach and understanding of the game’s dynamics. Maintaining a balance between offense and disruption will serve you well in overcoming the incremental advantages a card like Akoum Refuge presents.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Akoum Refuge MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Commander 2011, 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 Akoum Refuge and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Akoum Refuge Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Fred Fields.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 210 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 264 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 3 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 73 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 4 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 272 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 5 | 2015-08-28 | Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi | DDP | 67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 6 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 7 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 233 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 8 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 231 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 9 | 2019-08-23 | Commander 2019 | C19 | 226 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 10 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1651 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields | |
| 11 | The List | PLST | CMA-238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Fred Fields |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Akoum Refuge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |