Anchor to Reality MTG Card


Anchor to Reality offers card advantage and can significantly shift game momentum with its instant speed. While versatile, the card requires precise mana types and has a discard condition that may be restrictive. It’s a valuable addition for its strategic flexibility, combo potential, and ability to respond to varied metas.
Anchor to Reality - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Scry
Released2022-02-18
Set symbol
Set nameKamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Set codeNEO
Number45
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAlix Branwyn

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice an artifact or creature. Search your library for an Equipment or Vehicle card, put that card onto the battlefield, then shuffle. If it has mana value less than the sacrificed permanent's mana value, scry 2.

The Wanderer sighed in relief as the Reality Chip tethered her wayward spark to Kamigawa.


Cards like Anchor to Reality

Anchor to Reality introduces a thought-provoking dynamic to the realm of control spells within Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors the essence of cards such as Oblivion Ring, providing a temporary solution to troublesome permanents. Anchor to Reality stands out with its ability to target any type of nonland permanent, offering versatility. In contrast, Oblivion Ring is more restrictive and doesn’t affect creatures with shroud or hexproof.

The comparison extends to Banishing Light, a close relative in function. However, Banishing Light comes with a higher mana cost, unlike Anchor to Reality which demands less for activation. Banishing Light’s effect is also more enduring as it doesn’t grant the card owner an option to retrieve their permanent by an alternative cost. Conversely, Detention Sphere offers a broader impact by removing all copies of a given permanent, though at a higher cost and without the owner’s reclaim option inherent to Anchor to Reality.

Assessing these cards reveals that Anchor to Reality has a unique position, finely balanced between cost-efficiency and temporary control, providing MTG players with a versatile and strategic choice in their deck-building decisions.

Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Banishing Light - MTG Card versions
Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Banishing Light - MTG Card versions
Detention Sphere - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Anchor to Reality by color, type and mana cost

Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Distant Melody - MTG Card versions
Sleep - MTG Card versions
Argivian Restoration - MTG Card versions
Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Distant Melody - MTG Card versions
Sleep - MTG Card versions
Argivian Restoration - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Anchor to Reality offers a dual benefit, replacing itself in your hand while potentially neutralizing an opponent’s threat. This can lead to maintaining your pace in the game or even stealing the momentum from your adversary.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s versatility extends to resource acceleration by potentially unlocking your mana. By dealing with an opponent’s creature that may be hindering your access to mana, Anchor to Reality could pave the way for more substantial plays ahead.

Instant Speed: Its ability to be played at instant speed provides a strategic edge. You can disrupt your opponent’s plays during their turn, which can be pivotal in high-stakes moments. Furthermore, keeping mana available for Anchor to Reality allows you to bluff other potential responses, keeping your opponents guessing and on the defensive.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate Anchor to Reality’s abilities, players are often required to discard a card. This can be a taxing demand, particularly when your hand is already stretched thin by the ongoing game. Such a condition can turn this card into a double-edged sword, providing a benefit at the potential cost of diminishing your options.

Specific Mana Cost: Anchor to Reality necessitates a precise combination of mana types to cast. This specificity can make it less flexible and harder to slot into decks that aren’t aligned with its mana requirements. Decks that do not run these colors, or multicolored decks that face mana issues, may find it challenging to utilize this card effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the versatile pool of cards available, Anchor to Reality comes with a relatively steep mana cost for its effects. This higher investment can make it less appealing, especially when players are looking for more immediate or cost-efficient interactions within their gameplay strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Anchor to Reality is a staple in decks that require precise control over permanents. Its ability to manipulate the battlefield adapts to various playing styles, making it a versatile addition that can swing the momentum in your favor.

Combo Potential: It shines in decks that capitalize on ETB (Enter the Battlefield) triggers or need to protect key permanents from removal. Its synergistic properties can create powerful and game-changing combinations, reinforcing strategies and leading to potential combo wins.

Meta-Relevance: With a shifting competitive landscape, Anchor to Reality can be highly relevant. It helps navigate through dense fields of creature-based strategies or secure the permanence of your critical board presence. The ability to respond to an evolving meta makes it a card worth having in your arsenal.


How to beat

Anchor to Reality is a unique piece in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, offering a distinct blend of utility and challenge. To surpass the hurdles it sets, understanding and anticipating the card’s behavior are key. This card’s mystique lies in its ability to alter the battlefield’s dynamics significantly. Successfully circumventing its constraints requires a blend of strategic foresight and tactical precision.

Effective measures include employing creatures with haste to bypass summoning sickness or using instant-speed removal to address creatures your opponent may attempt to anchor. Additionally, leveraging abilities like flash can offer the flexibility needed to adapt to unexpected plays. It’s also advisable to manage resources wisely, ensuring the capability to respond to threats even when Anchor to Reality is in play.

Tackling this card demands a thorough grasp of not just your deck but also that of your adversary. Tracking potential plays and maintaining a robust defense ensures that when Anchor to Reality enters the fray, your strategy remains unshaken.


BurnMana Recommendations

When it comes to mastering your MTG deck, considering the inherent capabilities and drawbacks of each card is crucial. Anchor to Reality, with its card replacement and strategic instant speed, can decidedly shift the momentum in your favor, creating opportunities for victory. However, its discard requirement and specific mana cost might pose challenges in certain situations. Implementing Anchor to Reality into your deck invokes a commitment to strategic resource management and an appreciation for its nuanced control. For those eager to delve deeper and harness the full potential of this multifaceted card, we offer insights and analysis to refine your tactical approach. Elevate your gameplay by embracing the depth of strategy that Anchor to Reality brings to the table. Join us and sharpen your competitive edge within the vibrant MTG universe.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anchor to Reality MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Anchor to Reality and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Anchor to Reality has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Anchor to Reality card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-02-18 If a card in a player's library has in its mana cost, X is 0.
2022-02-18 Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to interfere with the permanent you sacrificed to prevent you from casting this spell.
2022-02-18 You must sacrifice exactly one artifact or creature to cast this spell; you can't cast it without sacrificing an artifact or creature, and you can't sacrifice additional artifacts or creatures.