Anikthea, Hand of Erebos MTG Card
2023-08-04 - Number 773
2023-08-04 - Number 780
2023-08-04 - Number 705
2023-08-04 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Enchantment Creature — Demigod |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Menace Other enchantment creatures you control have menace. Whenever Anikthea enters the battlefield or attacks, exile up to one target non-Aura enchantment card from your graveyard. Create a token that's a copy of that card, except it's a 3/3 black Zombie creature in addition to its other types.
Cards like Anikthea, Hand of Erebos
Anikthea, Hand of Erebos introduces a gripping presence among legendary creatures in the game. Its kinship to cards like Erebos, Bleak-Hearted is unmistakable. Both command the battlefield with abilities that control life totals, though Anikthea takes it a step further with its potential to directly negate life gain. Unlike its predecessor, Anikthea demands more tactical deck building to optimize its trait that punishes players for gaining life.
As we scout through other cards, Tymaret, Chosen from Death exhibits a resemblance with its devotion to black mechanics, though it sways more towards manipulating graveyards over life totals. Grey Merchant of Asphodel also comes to mind, notable for affecting life totals significantly with its devotion-triggered ability. Nevertheless, Anikthea stands out with its proactive approach to life management, posing a relentless threat to opponents who rely on life gain strategies.
Ultimately, Anikthea, Hand of Erebos offers a unique juxtaposition of aggressive life total control while also inviting a strategic depth that will surely impact play styles. This distinctive blend earns it a compelling spot within the pantheon of black-aligned MTG cards, especially for players keen on a disruptive gameplay experience.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Anikthea, Hand of Erebos is designed to offer strategic depth and value, providing players with an edge as they move towards victory. Its ability to possibly return a creature card from your graveyard to your hand when a creature you control dies not only recuperates losses but also maintains the flow of your strategic plays.
Resource Acceleration: This powerful card can play a pivotal role in pacing the game in your favor. Its capacity to accelerate resources is evident once it hits the battlefield, enabling swifter deployment of your threats and responses. Possessing Anikthea can be the turning point, allowing you to outpace opponents by efficiently managing your mana and resources.
Instant Speed: The prowess of Anikthea truly shines with its instant speed mechanic. This card’s ability to interact during the opponent’s turn or in response to their actions adds an element of surprise and tactical advantage. It provides a significant boost, ensuring your gameplay remains flexible and dynamic to address immediate threats or opportunities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Anikthea, Hand of Erebos challenges players by necessitating the discard of another card to activate certain abilities. This requirement can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already depleted, or you are in dire need of all the resources you can muster. Managing your hand to accommodate this can be tricky and may not align well with all game strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Anikthea, Hand of Erebos to the battlefield demands a precise combination of mana, including the less common black mana. This specificity could restrict its playability to predominantly black decks or those that can accommodate a black mana strategy, potentially excluding it from a wide range of other deck types where it might otherwise be a good fit.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that could be deemed high for the effects it brings to the game, some players might seek alternatives. The cost-value ratio is critical in deck building, and players might opt for other creatures or spells that provide similar advantages at a lower investment, making Anikthea, Hand of Erebos a less attractive option for those looking to optimize their mana usage.
Reasons to Include Anikthea, Hand of Erebos in Your Collection
Versatility: Anikthea, Hand of Erebos serves multiple roles within a deck. It can act as a formidable blocker while also providing significant late-game advantages. Its ability to interact with the graveyard makes it a flexible addition to any deck that leverages the power of the undead or enjoys recycling resources.
Combo Potential: Anikthea can seamlessly integrate with strategies that revolve around sacrifice and recursion. Its inherent synergy with death-triggered abilities or mechanics that benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield opens up a myriad of combo possibilities, enhancing both competitive and casual playstyles.
Meta-Relevance: Given that many current meta decks focus on resilience and value generation, Anikthea’s endurance and recurring advantage can tilt games in your favor. Whether it’s an attrition war or a setup for a sweeping victory, this card can adapt to and even dictate the pace of the match.
How to beat
Anikthea, Hand of Erebos introduces a compelling dynamic to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. As a card boasting formidable abilities that can quickly tip the scales in your opponent’s favor, it’s crucial to devise effective countermeasures. One robust strategy against Anikthea is prioritizing the removal of key creatures from your opponent’s graveyard, thereby stifering Anikthea’s ability to leverage them. Cards like Rest in Peace excel in this department, exiling graveyards and keeping the playing field even.
Another tactic involves the use of instant-speed removal spells that can deal with Anikthea before its abilities trigger. Employing cards like Murderous Rider or Path to Exile ensures that Anikthea is dealt with swiftly and efficiently, minimizing its impact on the game. Additionally, countering Anikthea before it hits the battlefield is also a reliable strategy. Counterspells serve as a solid line of defense, preventing the card from ever posing a threat.
Ultimately, understanding the key to disrupting your opponent’s plans with Anikthea involves staying one step ahead. Utilizing graveyard hate, quick removal, or counterspells are all effective ways to neutralize Anikthea, Hand of Erebos and maintain control of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Anikthea, Hand of Erebos MTG card by a specific set like Commander Masters and Commander Masters Art Series, 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 Anikthea, Hand of Erebos and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Anikthea, Hand of Erebos Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-08-04 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 773 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 2 | Commander Masters Art Series | ACMM | 72 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Magali Villeneuve | ||
| 3 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 780 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 705 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Anikthea, Hand of Erebos has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |