An Unearthly Child MTG Card


Advantageous in providing card selection to optimize drawing useful spells during matches. Essential for decks aiming to ramp mana quickly and execute powerful spells ahead of time. Instant speed application grants exceptional tactical flexibility in response to opponents.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Saga

Text of card

(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.) I, II, III — Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a Doctor card, a card with doctor's companion, or a Vehicle card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.


Cards like An Unearthly Child

An Unearthly Child has a unique standing among creature cards in the Magic: The Gathering universe. Its nearest comparisons can be drawn with cards that share a creature type or offer similar abilities. For instance, Delver of Secrets is a card that transforms and has always been a player favorite since it oscillates between a human and an insect, much like An Unearthly Child changes forms. Both cards start with a humble presence but can evolve into a formidable being with the right conditions.

Another card that echoes the transformation theme is Huntmaster of the Fells. This card flips between human and werewolf, altering its abilities with each transformation and influencing the state of the game. Like An Unearthly Child, this duality provides strategic depth and versatility. However, An Unearthly Child stands out with its own set of powers and thematic lore that immerses players in its unique story.

Evaluating the landscape of transformative creatures in Magic: The Gathering, An Unearthly Child presents a compelling package of lore, flexibility, and potential power, securing its spot as a noteworthy card among its peers.

Cards similar to An Unearthly Child by color, type and mana cost

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Pemmin's Aura - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions
Memory Erosion - MTG Card versions
Feedback - MTG Card versions
In the Eye of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Undertow - MTG Card versions
Mana Vortex - MTG Card versions
Energy Flux - MTG Card versions
Mesmeric Trance - MTG Card versions
Soul Barrier - MTG Card versions
Puppet Master - MTG Card versions
Intruder Alarm - MTG Card versions
Equilibrium - MTG Card versions
Mana Breach - MTG Card versions
Checks and Balances - MTG Card versions
Douse - MTG Card versions
Charisma - MTG Card versions
Traveler's Cloak - MTG Card versions
Shifting Sky - MTG Card versions
Threads of Disloyalty - MTG Card versions
Pemmin's Aura - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Study - MTG Card versions
Memory Erosion - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: An Unearthly Child provides a unique mechanism that lets you sift through the top cards of your library, potentially putting valuable spells into your hand. This can be key to outmaneuvering your opponents by ensuring you have the right answers or threats at the right time.

Resource Acceleration: This card can propel your mana resources forward by allowing you to play additional lands or providing alternative ways to generate mana. This ability can be crucial in outpacing your opponents and casting high impact spells earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to use An Unearthly Child at instant speed gives players the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions during their turn, or to otherwise capitalize on the perfect timing to maximize the card’s potential impact in the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the gameplay, An Unearthly Child calls for discarding a card as part of its casting cost. This can pose a strategic drawback during play, particularly if your hand is already running thin, pushing you to forgo potential plays or synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement to cast, limiting its flexibility. Players using multicolored decks or those that rely on color diversity may find integrating An Unearthly Child into their deck architecture more challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing its abilities against its mana demands, An Unearthly Child carries a relatively steep cost. It’s worth considering whether the investment aligns with your deck strategy, especially when alternatives may provide similar benefits for less mana expenditure.


Reasons to Include An Unearthly Child in Your Collection

Versatility: An Unearthly Child carves a niche in a multitude of deck archetypes. Due to its flexible mana cost and synergy with graveyard mechanics, this card easily weaves into aggressive, control, or combo decks, allowing you to tap into unused resources.

Combo Potential: As a card that can bring creatures back from the graveyard, it opens up numerous combo possibilities. It can act as a linchpin in recursion strategies, setting off chain reactions that can lead to game-winning plays. Strategists who revel in intricate play patterns will find this card essential.

Meta-Relevance: Staying ahead in the shifting sands of MTG’s meta can be a challenge. An Unearthly Child remains relevant, offering answers to ever-present graveyard strategies and enabling quick recoveries from board wipes. Its potential to change the tide of a match makes it a prudent addition for players keen on competitive play.


How to beat

An Unearthly Child is a unique inclusion in the MTG universe, contributing to the pool of cards that challenge opponents through its transformative abilities. As with any MTG card, tipping the scales back in your favor involves strategic gameplay and a keen understanding of your own deck’s mechanics. To outmaneuver An Unearthly Child, it’s crucial to have a strategy that can interfere with its conversion process or mitigate its impact. Cards that offer exile effects can prove particularly useful, as they remove An Unearthly Child from the game entirely, sidestepping its transformative effects. Control decks that apply counter spells effectively can also provide a strong defense by interrupting the spell before it has a chance to establish presence on the board.

In addition, it’s beneficial to have an agile deck capable of adapting to various threats. Employing instant-speed removal or having the ability to grant hexproof to your key permanents can severely hamper An Unearthly Child’s influence on a match. Considering the match-up and tailoring your sideboard to include answers to transformative threats will greatly improve your chances of maintaining control when facing this formidable card.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase An Unearthly Child MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 An Unearthly Child and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The An Unearthly Child Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 352015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 6402015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where An Unearthly Child has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal