Ancient Den MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 278
2004-09-01 - Number mb278
2009-09-04 - Number 130
2011-05-14 - Number 36
2019-11-07 - Number 1652
2021-03-19 - Number 403
2021-04-23 - Number 276
2022-11-18 - Number 172
2019-12-02 - Number 300
2020-09-26 - Number MRD-278
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Land |
Text of card
(Ancient Den isn't a spell.) : Add to your mana pool.
Taj-Nar, throne of Raksha Golden Cub, destined leader of the leonin prides.
Cards like Ancient Den
Ancient Den is a unique piece among land cards in MTG. As part of the artifact land series, it taps for one white mana, echoing the utility of basic Plains. Its niche lies in its dual identity as both land and artifact, which serves a dual purpose in relevant decks. It’s reminiscent of Darksteel Citadel, which provides indestructible insurance, though it taps for colorless. For decks emphasizing metalcraft or artifact synergies, Great Furnace serves a similar role but produces red mana instead.
Seat of the Synod is another artifact land comparable in concept, enabling blue mana and engaging with cards that care about artifact count. However, unlike Ancient Den, which supports white’s design of community and order, Seat of the Synod leans into blue’s theme of intellect and manipulation. Tree of Tales enters the discussion, tapping for green mana and extending the artifact land paradigm into the realm of growth and nature within the game.
While each has its place in specialized strategies, Ancient Den holds its own in the pantheon of MTG lands with its inherent versatility and synergy with white mana artifact-centric decks.
Cards similar to Ancient Den by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Ancient Den. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper | Boros Synthesizer | Pauper Preliminary 2024-04-23 |
| Jeskai Affinity | Pauper | Jeskai Affinity | Pauper League 2024-04-23 |
 | Bogles | Pauper | Bogles | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-27 |
| Azorius Affinity | Pauper | Azorius Affinity | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-26 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ancient Den doesn’t directly offer card draw, but as a land that taps for mana without the usual downside of coming into play tapped, it keeps your hand free to play other cards that can create card advantage. This allows players to maintain a more fluid and adaptable strategy throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: As part of the artifact land subtype, Ancient Den is a potent example of resource acceleration in MTG. Not only does it provide a mana boost by being an additional land on the field, but it also counts as an artifact which can be crucial in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies.
Instant Speed: While Ancient Den itself isn’t an instant, it facilitates the use of instant speed spells by providing an additional mana source that can be used immediately since it’s not subject to summoning sickness like creatures. This allows for unexpected plays and more strategic depth when deciding how to utilize your mana during both your turn and your opponent’s.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Ancient Den doesn’t directly ask players to discard, it’s part of the Affinity for Artifacts mechanic that often necessitates having many artifacts in play. This could indirectly pressure players into playing more artifacts than they might want, potentially leading to disadvantageous discards to sustain artifact count.
Specific Mana Cost: Ancient Den provides colorless mana which is less flexible for decks that require specific colors for casting spells. This could be problematic in mana-hungry decks that need access to multiple colors of mana consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Ancient Den is a non-basic land, it competes with other utility lands that also tap for colorless mana but may offer additional benefits or conditions that are less restrictive or more in line with a deck’s strategy, making it a potentially costly inclusion.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ancient Den has the unique ability to tap for mana while also being an artifact, which makes it a perfect fit for decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or require a mana bump without sacrificing the artifact count.
Combo Potential: This land plays a crucial role in any deck that seeks to leverage the power of cards like “Tempered Steel” or “Atog,” as it counts towards the artifact count while being a reliable mana source.
Meta-Relevance: Given its dual nature, Ancient Den remains relevant in metas where artifacts are key. It’s especially potent in formats like Commander or Pauper, where it can enhance both mana consistency and strategy depth.
How to beat
The iconic Ancient Den card in MTG is a fundamental piece in decks that leverage the power of artifacts. This land card, part of the potent cycle known as artifact lands, fits seamlessly into strategies that ramp up the affinity for artifacts or empower metalcraft abilities. In many cases, having an Ancient Den on the field may feel like an unstoppable advantage due to its synergy with artifacts.
To effectively neutralize the impact of Ancient Den, consider incorporating artifact removal spells in your deck. Cards like Shatterstorm or Kataki, War’s Wage can disrupt an opponent’s artifact-based strategy, effectively minimizing the productivity of their Ancient Den. Another strategy involves land destruction or denial, utilizing spells like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin to specifically target and dismantle the Ancient Den. This approach can be critical, especially against decks reliant on artifact synergies.
Ultimately, beating a deck with Ancient Den hinges on understanding the role it plays within your opponent’s strategy. By predicting and disrupting their synergy chains, you can diminish the potency of the Ancient Den and gain a strategic edge, maintaining control of the match and pushing towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ancient Den MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Ancient Den 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 Ancient Den Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 278 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 2004-09-01 | World Championship Decks 2004 | WC04 | mb278 | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Rob Alexander | |
| 3 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 130 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 4 | 2011-05-14 | Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia | TD2 | 36 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 5 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1652 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 6 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 300 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | DXTR | ||
| 7 | The List | PLST | MRD-278 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | ||
| 8 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 403 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 9 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 276 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 10 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Commander | BRC | 172 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Muhammad Firdaus |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ancient Den has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Banned |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |