Anowon, the Ruin Thief MTG Card
2020-09-25 - Number 1
2020-09-25 - Number 7
2002-06-24 - Number 83838
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Vampire Rogue |
| Abilities | Mill |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Other Rogues you control get +1/+1. Whenever one or more Rogues you control deal combat damage to a player, that player mills a card for each 1 damage dealt to them. If the player mills at least one creature card this way, you draw a card. (To mill a card, a player puts the top card of their library into their graveyard.)
Cards like Anowon, the Ruin Thief
Anowon, the Ruin Thief positions itself as a pivotal card in rogue-themed decks within Magic: The Gathering. With a similar sneaky vibe, we have Sygg, River Cutthroat, who capitalizes on life total changes to draw extra cards. Both leaders celebrate and incentivize a style of play focused on cunning and the subtle accumulation of advantages. Yet, Anowon’s ability to mill opponents and potentially draw cards each turn highlights a more proactive strategy compared to Sygg’s more reactive approach.
Nottingham Assassin treads comparable ground, with a skill set enhancing rogues and turning opponent’s cards into a resource. However, where Anowon commands with the potential to reshape the game with each swing, Nottingham Assassin lurks, depending on the fall of an opponent’s creature to activate. The mill mechanic embedded in Anowon also speaks to a distinct style of achieving victory, diversifying the paths a rogue deck can pursue.
Analyzing the dynamics and tactical implications, Anowon, the Ruin Thief stands out as a dynamic commander in MTG. It channels both offensive and disruptive capabilities, making it not only a thematic fit for rogue decks but also a strategic powerhouse.
Cards similar to Anowon, the Ruin Thief by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Anowon, the Ruin Thief’s ability has the potential to draw multiple cards each turn, solidifying a player’s hand and increasing options.
Resource Acceleration: By creating tokens for each opponent’s Mill from the triggered ability, Anowon accelerates available resources, paving the way for quicker casts and a forward-pushing tempo.
Instant Speed: Whilst Anowon itself isn’t an instant, the rogues that synergize with it often have flash, allowing a strategic player to maximize the use of mana each turn and disrupt opponents’ plans during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A key aspect to consider is the need for a discard mechanism to truly leverage Anowon, the Ruin Thief’s full potential. Players without a sufficient hand size may struggle to capitalize on his abilities, potentially hindering their offensive strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Anowon comes with a specific mana requirement that includes both blue and black mana. This restricts the card to decks that can consistently produce both colors, potentially limiting its inclusion to only specific deck archetypes, such as rogue or mill-centric strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Anowon presents a valuable set of abilities, his casting cost of four mana is comparatively steep. Considering the fast-paced nature of many MTG games, players may find the cost a tad high, especially when there are alternative commanders that could be cast sooner and potentially impact the game earlier.
Reasons to Include Anowon, the Ruin Thief in Your Collection
Versatility: Anowon, the Ruin Thief seamlessly slots into rogue-themed decks with his ability to turn each attacking rogue into a potential source of card advantage for you and card disadvantage for your opponents.
Combo Potential: Anowon’s synergy with other rogues means utilizing his ability can quickly fill your graveyard with cards, perfect for strategies that capitalize on having numerous cards in the graveyard to trigger powerful effects or reanimation tactics.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame teeming with creature-based strategies, Anowon can serve as both an offensive threat and a defensive tool, disrupting your opponents’ plans while advancing your own board state, maintaining relevance across various gameplay situations.
How to beat
Anowon, the Ruin Thief is a character that demands attention in any MTG game. Known for turning rogue tribal decks into formidable adversaries, this card’s ability to draw cards and mill opponents makes it a compelling force on the board. To outmaneuver Anowon’s strategic advantages, players must think critically and employ disruption effectively.
Spot removal proves to be an effective countermeasure, negating Anowon’s ability to accrue value over time. Cards like Murder or Fatal Push can eliminate Anowon before the player can capitalize on their deck’s synergy. Graveyard hate cards, like Rest in Peace or Tormod’s Crypt, can also disrupt Anowon’s mill strategy, rendering attempts to capitalize on opponents’ graveyards futile. Board wipes are another strong strategy; a well-timed Wrath of God or Damnation resets the rogue’s board presence.
By prioritizing control elements and being mindful of the strategic timing of these plays, you can ensure that Anowon, the Ruin Thief is less a threat and more a manageable aspect of the game’s landscape.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Anowon, the Ruin Thief MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Rising Commander, 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 Anowon, the Ruin Thief and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Anowon, the Ruin Thief Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 83838 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | ||
| 2 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Commander | ZNC | 1 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 3 | 2020-09-25 | Zendikar Rising Commander | ZNC | 7 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Anowon, the Ruin Thief has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Anowon, the Ruin Thief card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-09-25 | Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to other Rogues you control may become lethal if Anowon leaves the battlefield during that turn. |
| 2020-09-25 | If Rogues you control deal combat damage to two players at once, Anowon’s ability triggers twice. |
| 2020-09-25 | The player dealt combat damage mills cards only for the damage dealt by your Rogues, not for any other combat damage dealt to them at the same time. |
| 2020-09-25 | You draw just one card, no matter how many creature cards the player mills beyond the first. |