Annex MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 63
2005-07-29 - Number 59
2005-07-29 - Number 59★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
You control enchanted land.
Most refugees left their ancestral homes behind when they came to Otaria. A few decided to bring them along.
Cards like Annex
The Annex card adds strategic depth to the suite of land control spells in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Confiscate, which allows a player to gain control of any permanent, not just lands. While Confiscate offers broader targeting options, Annex is specialized, focusing solely on lands, but comes with a lower casting cost.
Another related card is Volition Reins, which not only takes control of any permanent, including lands but also untaps it, providing immediate use. This greater flexibility comes with a higher mana investment compared to Annex. Then there’s Control Magic, a classic piece that gives you control of a target creature. Unlike Annex, it ignores lands but excels in creature matchups at a moderate cost.
While evaluating comparable spells, Annex is a valuable option in a land-centric strategy, offering a blend of affordability and control. This delicate balance positions it as a tactical choice for players looking to usurp their opponents’ resources effectively.
Cards similar to Annex by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the hallmark features of Annex provides the ability to take control of your opponent’s land. This can lead to a significant increase in your resource pool, while simultaneously diminishing theirs, effectively generating card advantage for you over time.
Resource Acceleration: Annex enables a strategic boost in resources. By securing an additional land under your control, it accelerates your mana access which is essential for casting more powerful spells or activating demanding abilities earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: Although Annex is not cast at instant speed, the control it provides during your turn sets the stage for stronger defenses and more versatile plays. It allows you to keep up with opponents and react to their actions with an expanded set of resources that could otherwise be out of reach.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Annex requires a player to discard a card as part of its casting cost. This can be a setback, particularly in tight situations where every card in hand matters. It forces players to make tough decisions about resource management, which can be detrimental in the late game or when searching for key pieces to execute a strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Annex’s mana cost includes two blue mana. This specificity can restrict its inclusion to decks with a strong blue mana base, potentially excluding it from various multicolored or colorless strategies. It narrows the card’s versatility, making it less desirable for players who prefer decks that aren’t heavily blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana and an additional card to discard, Annex stands on the costlier side for its control effect. This can be especially cumbersome when comparing it to other cards in the same mana range with immediate or more impactful board presence. Players might opt for other control or land manipulation cards that provide a higher return on their mana investment.
Reasons to Include Annex in Your Collection
Versatility: Annex is a unique spell that has the ability to significantly alter the course of the game by shifting land control. It fits seamlessly into blue-focused control or land-oriented strategies, enhancing the flexibility of your deck composition.
Combo Potential: Being able to usurp an opponent’s land, Annex can open up opportunities for combos, especially in decks that capitalize on landfall triggers or strategies that require specific land types for optimal performance.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where mana bases are critical, the ability to disrupt an opponent’s resources with Annex can be a game-changer, making it a formidable inclusion against decks that rely heavily on their land synergy or specific nonbasic lands.
How to beat Annex
Annex is a card that can pose quite a challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This enchantment allows players to take control of an opponent’s land, which can significantly disrupt their mana base and overall game plan. To effectively combat Annex, it’s essential to understand its mechanics and prepare strategies that can undermine its influence.
The key to beating Annex lies in having answers ready in your deck. Counter spells are effective at preventing it from hitting the field in the first place. You might also consider running enchantment removal spells or abilities that allow you to bounce or destroy permanents. These can help you recover your land or simply remove the enchantment from the game. Having instant-speed interaction is particularly valuable, as it lets you respond immediately to the threat.
Additionally, playing cards that can ramp up your mana production can mitigate the loss of a land to Annex. Look for low-cost artifacts or creatures that produce mana or lands that can tap for multiple mana. This way, even if a land is taken, your ability to cast spells remains less affected. As always, maintaining card advantage and pressure on the opponent is critical to outpace any control strategies they might employ, including the use of enchantments like Annex.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Annex MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Ninth Edition, 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 Annex 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 Annex Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by John Avon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 63 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Avon | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 59 | 2003 | Normal | White | John Avon | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 59★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Avon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Annex has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |