Al-abara's Carpet MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 271
2011-01-10 - Number 177
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o5oc T: Prevents all damage done to you by attacking non-flying creatures.
Al-abara simply laughed and lifted one finger, and the carpet carried her high out of our reach.
Understanding Al-abara’s Carpet and Its Contemporaries
Similar Cards
Al-abara’s Carpet is an intriguing artifact in the expansive universe of Magic: The Gathering. This card offers a unique ability to tap and obtain a creature’s flying ability until end of turn, a feature slightly reminiscent of cards like Pegasus Cloak, which also grants flying. However, Al-abara’s Carpet doesn’t require attachment to a singular creature, providing a level of strategic flexibility that equipment cards like Pegasus Cloak can’t match.
Comparatively, Wonder is another card that deals with the flying mechanic but operates differently. While it grants flying to all creatures as long as it’s in the graveyard and you control an Island, Al-abara’s Carpet lacks this universality but compensates with on-demand utility. Then there’s Levitation, which outright gives all your creatures flying, ensuring aerial dominance without the need for mana investment each turn, unlike Al-abara’s Carpet which requires an activation cost.
Therefore, Al-abara’s Carpet can be seen as a specialized tool in a player’s arsenal. Its utility in giving any creature flight on a turn-by-turn basis offers opportunities for tactical maneuvers that static abilities cannot, highlighting its unique position within the flying enablers of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Al-abara's Carpet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Al-abara’s Carpet offers a unique approach to card advantage by potentially allowing you to utilize the top card of each player’s library. This interaction can open up opportunities to exploit your opponents’ strategies or to use their resources against them.
Resource Acceleration: As a mana-generating artifact, Al-abara’s Carpet can increase your access to mana. Specifically, it provides potential mana of any color that your opponents have available. This can dramatically ramp up your ability to play high-cost spells early on and to adapt to various mana requirements throughout the game.
Instant Speed: While Al-abara’s Carpet itself isn’t an instant, it enables instant speed interactions by giving you access to additional mana during any phase of your own or your opponents’ turns. This unexpected burst in resources can be pivotal for casting spells during crucial moments or responding to threats as they arise, keeping your opponents guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Al-abara’s Carpet mandates that you discard another card to utilize its effect. This can be counterproductive when your hand size is already dwindling or the discarded card is crucial for your gameplay strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires not just a generic mana investment but also a commitment of one red mana. This specific color requirement may not align with mana bases of multicolored or colorless decks, potentially stifling its integration in various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that rivals other impactful cards, Al-abara’s Carpet might fall behind in terms of efficiency. For decks that aim to optimize mana expenditure, there could be more cost-effective alternatives to attain similar or more impactful board control or advantage.
Reasons to Include Al-abara’s Carpet in Your Collection
Versatility: Al-abara’s Carpet is a unique artifact offering a variety of strategic options. It’s not restricted by color, making it a suitable addition across numerous deck builds, especially ones seeking an inventive approach to resource management.
Combo Potential: Combining Al-abara’s Carpet with cards that capitalize on artifact synergies can lead to unexpected and potent interactions. It’s capable of providing both offensive and defensive capabilities, depending on how it’s leveraged within a deck.
Meta-Relevance: Keeping up with shifting metas requires adaptable cards. Al-abara’s Carpet can offer answers to certain dominant strategies, thanks to its ability to disrupt opponent plays. Its presence in a collection can ensure players are well-equipped to handle various meta-game challenges.
How to beat
Al-abara’s Carpet is a niche and a versatile artifact in Magic: The Gathering. This card can be complex to tackle because of its ability to generate a defensive advantage. To outplay an opponent utilizing Al-abara’s Carpet, one must understand its strength lies in neutralizing attacks rather than direct damage or enhancement.
The key to overcoming Al-abara’s Carpet relies on indirect strategies. Spells that don’t target creatures directly, such as board wipes or global enchantments, can circumvent the carpet’s protective capabilities. Cards like Wrath of God, which destroy all creatures, or Ensnaring Bridge, which limits creature attacks, are effective ways to surpass this obstacle. Moreover, countering the artifact before it takes effect or utilizing artifact removal like Naturalize or Shatter helps in preemptively negating the carpet’s benefits on the battlefield.
Patience and timing are vital in this matchup. Constantly applying pressure with spells that impact the whole board or holding back artifact removal until the most opportune moment will give you an edge. By focusing on these strategies, players can effectively dismantle the protective shield that Al-abara’s Carpet provides and lead themselves to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Al-abara's Carpet MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition IV, 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 Al-abara's Carpet 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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Printings
The Al-abara's Carpet Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Kaja Foglio.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 271 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 177 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Al-abara's Carpet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |