Archaeomancer's Map MTG Card


Ensures consistent land drops and card draw, enabling dynamic play and resource acceleration in the game. Key in white decks, can be restrictive for multicolor strategies due to specific mana requirements. Superior combo potential and meta relevance make it a valuable asset in Commander and other formats.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

When Archaeomancer's Map enters the battlefield, search your library for up to two basic Plains cards, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle. Whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent's control, if that player controls more lands than you, you may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield.


Cards like Archaeomancer's Map

Archaeomancer’s Map stands out as a notable card in MTG for its strategic advantage in land balance and card draw. Similar to cards like Land Tax, which also ensures land parity by allowing players to search for basic lands if they possess fewer lands than an opponent, Archaeomancer’s Map provides a consistency in mana development. While Land Tax is limited to your upkeep, Archaeomancer’s Map has the potential to repeatedly trigger throughout the game, essentially whenever a land enters the battlefield under an opponent’s control.

Another card that echoes the ability of Archaeomancer’s Map is Weathered Wayfarer, granting the power to search for any land card, yet it requires an activation cost and doesn’t offer the card draw benefit. Knight of the White Orchid, too, falls into this circle with its land-searching ability upon entering the battlefield if an opponent controls more lands than you. However, it doesn’t provide the ongoing card advantage that the Map does, focusing instead on a one-time land ramp.

When considering resource acceleration and card advantage, Archaeomancer’s Map proves to be a versatile choice in MTG, cleverly combining land balance mechanics with the added value of drawing cards — a dual utility that can be pivotal to maintaining momentum in the game.

Land Tax - MTG Card versions
Weathered Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Land Tax - MTG Card versions
Weathered Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Archaeomancer's Map by color, type and mana cost

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Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
Urza's Sylex - MTG Card versions
Thopter Shop - MTG Card versions
Cloudsteel Kirin - MTG Card versions
The Book of Exalted Deeds - MTG Card versions
Halo Fountain - MTG Card versions
Maul of the Skyclaves - MTG Card versions
Pearl Shard - MTG Card versions
Soldier Replica - MTG Card versions
Thunder Totem - MTG Card versions
Marble Chalice - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Dominance - MTG Card versions
Auriok Replica - MTG Card versions
Blinding Souleater - MTG Card versions
Godsend - MTG Card versions
Peacewalker Colossus - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Widget - MTG Card versions
Riveting Rigger - MTG Card versions
Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions
Cloister Gargoyle - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Archaeomancer’s Map not only draws you two Plains from your deck when it enters the battlefield, but it continues to provide value as it allows you to play an additional land on your turns when your opponent controls more lands than you. This ongoing advantage keeps your hand full and your strategies dynamic.

Resource Acceleration: By ensuring land drops, especially Plains, the Archaeomancer’s Map accelerates your resource availability. This boosts your ability to play high-cost spells earlier than usual, which can be a substantial edge over your opponent.

Instant Speed: Though the Map itself isn’t an instant, it has synergy with instant speed play. It allows you to get ahead on land plays, leaving open mana for instant-speed interactions. With more lands at the ready, you can effectively manage your spells and responses more freely during the course of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Archaeomancer’s Map adds lands to your battlefield, it does not have a direct discard requirement, this characteristic does not apply to this card.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing two generic and one white mana, it is tailored for decks that manipulate plains. This can be restrictive for multicolor decks that might struggle with the white mana source.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, Archaeomancer’s Map has a higher cost compared to other ramp options available. This may delay more proactive plays in the early game when quick mana acceleration is crucial.


Reasons to Include Archaeomancer’s Map in Your Collection

Versatility: Archaeomancer’s Map is a stellar inclusion in Commander decks that require land consistency. It ensures that you keep up with opponents in land plays, making it adaptable to various strategies that rely on landfall triggers or simply need to hit their land drops on time.

Combo Potential: Beyond mana fixing, this card synergizes elegantly with cards that benefit from returning lands to your hand or drawing cards, thus enabling intricate combos and interactions within your deck’s engine.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where resource acceleration is key, Archaeomancer’s Map holds its ground. It can be a crucial tool against decks that aim to disrupt mana bases, ensuring you stay in the game and can respond to threats swiftly.


How to beat

Archaeomancer’s Map is a distinctive card in MTG that can significantly shape the strategic landscape of a game. As a card that efficiently ramps and smoothens out land drops for its controller, it can present a challenge to overcome for any opponent. It primarily finds its home in white decks that seek to utilize land advantages while maintaining card parity.

One approach to counter this resilient card is to use land destruction tactics or utilize cards that restrict land plays. Applying pressure with cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can disrupt the game plan that revolves around Archaeomancer’s Map, forcing the opponent to adapt to a less favourable mana curve. Additionally, running hand disruption tools like Thoughtseize can preemptively remove this card from your opponent’s grip before it can impact the board.

Overall, the key to besting Archaeomancer’s Map lies in proactive disruption and keeping the pressure high. By limiting the opportunity for your opponent to maximize their land drops or by ensuring their hand is kept in check, you can mitigate the advantages granted by Archaeomancer’s Map and maintain control over the game’s tempo.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Archaeomancer’s Map is a cornerstone in MTG, allowing for elevation in strategic play and resource management. Its ability to sift through your deck for Plains and ensure land drops provides you with unwavering momentum. The Map’s ongoing value makes it indispensable for white-focused strategies and its synergy with instant play keeps you agile during matches. As you refine your deck, understanding and leveraging the Map’s advantages can tip scales in your favor. Eager to master its potential and forge ahead? Dive deeper with us into strategies that can turn the Map’s capabilities into a path toward victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Archaeomancer's Map MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The List, 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 Archaeomancer's Map and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Archaeomancer's Map Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 900082015NormalBlackOvidio Cartagena
22020-09-26The ListPLST C21-122015NormalBlackOvidio Cartagena
32021-04-23Commander 2021C21 122015NormalBlackOvidio Cartagena
42021-04-23Commander 2021C21 3392015NormalBlackOvidio Cartagena
52023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1012015NormalBorderlessJonas De Ro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Archaeomancer's Map has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 The last ability triggers only if that opponent controls more lands than you after the land enters the battlefield. The ability will check again as it tries to resolve. If that opponent doesn't still control more lands than you at that time, the ability won't resolve.