Anarchist MTG Card
1998-06-15 - Number 79
2001-10-01 - Number 173
2005-07-29 - Number 173★
2005-07-29 - Number 173
2010-11-08 - Number A52
2015-05-06 - Number 125
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Anarchist comes into play, you may return target sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand.
"I'll take that. You won't need it when the revolution comes."
Cards like Anarchist
Anarchist is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to retrieve a sorcery card from their graveyard upon its entry to the battlefield. It draws similarities to Archaeomancer, which performs a close function but offers the flexibility to choose between an instant or a sorcery card. The primary difference, however, lies in their casting types. While Anarchist strictly targets sorcery spells, Archaeomancer caters to a wider range of possibilities.
Another card worth mentioning alongside Anarchist is Eternal Witness. Although this creature doesn’t specify a card type, it can reclaim any card from the graveyard, giving it considerable versatility. It’s a small yet vital deviation from Anarchist’s limited scope. The Witness’ broader recovery option often makes it a more sought-after choice for deck builders aiming for flexibility.
To sum up, while Anarchist has a niche role in resurrecting sorcery cards, its counterparts like Archaeomancer and Eternal Witness showcase greater adaptability by affecting more card types. Players looking to focus on sorcery spells might prefer Anarchist’s specificity, whereas those valuing general retrieval may lean towards the broader utility offered by the other two.
Cards similar to Anarchist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Anarchist shines by retrieving a key sorcery from your graveyard to your hand. This pivotal move can swing the tide of a match by giving you access to powerful spells for a second time, expanding your strategic options and maintaining a solid hand size.
Resource Acceleration: While Anarchist itself does not directly accelerate resources, the retrieved sorcery can often be a catalyst for doing so. Reviving spells that cultivate mana or unearth additional lands ensures that Anarchist effectively contributes to your resource growth over the course of the game.
Instant Speed: Although Anarchist operates at sorcery speed, the instant and sorceries it recovers can be pivotal in establishing a formidable position when played at instant speed. Utilizing these resurrected spells at the right moment can interrupt an opponent’s strategy or turn an unfavorable situation into a winning one.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A notable drawback of the Anarchist card is its condition that requires a player to discard another card. For players already at a disadvantage in terms of card count, this could exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to a loss of valuable momentum within the game.
Specific Mana Cost: A specific drawback for Anarchist is its red mana cost. This requirement can be restrictive as it demands that the player’s deck is built with enough red mana sources, which could limit deck diversity and potentially disrupt the mana curve in multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Anarchist’s mana cost can be considered fairly steep when comparing it to other cards that retrieve sorceries from the graveyard. With a mana cost composed of three colorless and one red mana, it is on the higher end, leading players to evaluate whether its effect is worth the cost relative to other available options in their deck.
Reasons to Include Anarchist in Your Collection
Versatility: Anarchist can be a key component in various deck archetypes that capitalize on recursion of sorcery cards. It thrives in environments where you need to return high-impact spells from your graveyard to your hand for a second cast.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that aim to exploit its ability to recur combo pieces. It pairs well with decks that cycle through sorceries quickly, allowing you to reuse powerful effects more than once.
Meta-Relevance: Given that control decks with a large number of sorcery cards are often present in the meta, Anarchist can provide substantial value by consistently retrieving key sorceries that may have been expended earlier, keeping your strategy potent round after round.
How to beat
Anarchist is a unique card that can present a challenge on the battlefield. The card allows players to return a sorcery card from their graveyard to their hand when it enters the battlefield. The ability to recycle powerful sorceries can give your opponent a strategic advantage, particularly in the later stages of the game where reusing high-impact spells becomes crucial.
To effectively counter Anarchist, consider leveraging graveyard disruption. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog can be pivotal, as they remove your opponent’s graveyard from the game, nullifying Anarchist’s ability. Additionally, maintaining control through counterspells can preemptively stop the Anarchist before it triggers its ability. Save your counters for key moments to ensure maximum impact against this recursion strategy. Instant removal spells are also essential. By eliminating Anarchist before your opponent ends their turn, you minimize the chance they can benefit from its ability on subsequent turns.
Remember, timing is everything. Monitor your opponent’s graveyard and hand, and make educated guesses about which sorcery they might be aiming to retrieve. That way, you can plan your countermoves and maintain the upper hand against Anarchist strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Anarchist MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Odyssey, 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 Anarchist 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Anarchist Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-15 | Exodus | EXO | 79 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brom | |
| 2 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 173 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 173★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brom | |
| 4 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 173 | 2003 | Normal | White | Brom | |
| 5 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A52 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brom | |
| 6 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 125 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brom |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Anarchist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |