Alchemist's Gift MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Number | 87 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Cristi Balanescu |
Text of card
Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains your choice of deathtouch or lifelink until end of turn. (Any amount of damage a creature with deathtouch deals to a creature is enough to destroy it. Damage dealt by a creature with lifelink also causes its controller to gain that much life.)
Cards like Alchemist's Gift
Alchemist’s Gift brings a quick burst of potential to any MTG player’s deck, reminiscent of other instant speed combat tricks. It allows you to grant a creature +1/+1 and deathtouch or lifelink until end of turn, making it a flexible tool in the heat of battle. When compared to other cards like Supernatural Stamina, which only offers a creature +2/+0 and return it to the battlefield tapped if it dies, Alchemist’s Gift gives you an immediate edge in versatility without the return from graveyard ability.
Deadly Allure is another card that can often be squared up against Alchemist’s Gift. Although it provides deathtouch to any creature and forces an opponent’s creature to block, its sorcery speed limits its utility in surprise maneuvers that Alchemist’s Gift could provide during combat. Additionally, unlike Alchemist’s Gift, Deadly Allure doesn’t offer a lifelink option which can be critical for gaining life and staying in the game.
All things considered, Alchemist’s Gift’s instant speed and dual-purpose enhancement demonstrate its capacity to adapt to various in-game scenarios, making it a noteworthy option for players looking to augment their creature’s capabilities on the fly.
Cards similar to Alchemist's Gift by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Alchemist’s Gift can provide a crucial edge by potentially removing an opponent’s creature while strengthening your own – essentially a two-for-one deal that can sway the battlefield in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although Alchemist’s Gift doesn’t directly ramp up resources, its low mana cost means you’re using minimal resources for a potentially significant effect, leaving mana available for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Alchemist’s Gift at instant speed cannot be overstated. This allows for reactionary plays, surprise combat tricks, or even just choosing the right moment to gain the lifelink or deathtouch bonus when most advantageous.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Alchemist’s Gift often entails letting go of a valuable card from your hand, which could be a strategic setback if your hand is already running thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating black mana to cast, Alchemist’s Gift situates itself firmly within decks aligned with that color, limiting its versatility across the broad spectrum of deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant that provides a singular creature with deathtouch and a minor power boost, the mana investment might outpace the benefit, especially when alternative, lower-cost options are available.
Reasons to Include Alchemist’s Gift in Your Collection
Versatility: Alchemist’s Gift can seamlessly adapt to a variety of deck builds, providing a cost-efficient way to give a creature both a power boost and deathtouch, which can be pivotal in combat or for removing troublesome creatures on the board.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to grant an additional keyword stands to amplify numerous synergies, particularly with creatures that benefit from deathtouch or those looking to exploit lifelink. This elevates not just its own utility but the interplay within your deck’s strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where combat interactions and creature dominance are substantial, Alchemist’s Gift offers a tactical advantage. It can shift the tide of battle in your favor and is especially relevant if timely creature elimination is paramount in the current meta.
How to beat
Alchemist’s Gift emerges as an intriguing quick-play option, offering a boost of power and potentially a vampiric touch to your creatures when you’re in a bind. It’s akin to cards like Rush of Vitality in that it grants lifelink for a brief window, poised to turn the tide of a duel in MTG. However, it stands out with the possibility of adding a key deathtouch element or a small power bump, depending on what the situation demands.
To effectively counter Alchemist’s Gift, it’s crucial to anticipate and disrupt these surprise plays that can swing the momentum. One method is by maintaining open mana for instant-speed removal or counterspells that neutralize the creature before the spell resolves. Additionally, instant-speed bounce spells can return the targeted creature to the opponent’s hand, effectively wasting their Alchemist’s Gift. Playing around the versatility of Alchemist’s Gift requires careful assessment of your opponent’s mana and creatures in order to predict and mitigate its impact on the game.
In sum, overcoming the versatility of Alchemist’s Gift in MTG relies heavily on strategic timing and situational awareness. Recognizing the potential for sudden combat tricks allows for effective preparation, positioning Alchemist’s Gift as a manageable threat with the right countermeasures in place.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alchemist's Gift MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Alchemist's Gift 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 Alchemist's Gift has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |