Memnarch MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact Creature — Wizard
Power 4
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Memnarch offers card advantage by transforming artifacts into a strategic asset control mechanism.
  2. Its synergy with mana rocks enhances its potential for early-game board dominance.
  3. Despite high mana costs, Memnarch’s activated abilities can shift game outcomes drastically.

Text of card

: Target permanent becomes an artifact in addition to its other types. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.) : Gain control of target artifact. (This effect doesn't end at end of turn.)

In the blur between metal and flesh, Memnarch found madness.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Memnarch provides exceptional utility by converting any artifact you control into a creature stealing device. This enables a player to accumulate significant card advantage by taking control of opponent’s threats.

Resource Acceleration: As a card that benefits greatly from artifact synergies, Memnarch can effectively use mana rocks and other forms of resource acceleration to fuel its abilities, allowing for a faster and more oppressive board presence.

Instant Speed: While Memnarch itself does not operate at instant speed, its abilities can be activated at any time you could cast an instant. This allows for strategic reactivity, enabling you to respond to your opponents’ moves by appropriating their key artifacts during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Memnarch, as an iconic figure in the game, does not actually require a discard upon activation of its abilities, which adds to its strategic flexibility in matches. However, the card may lead players to a resource-intensive play style, encouraging them to use or discard other cards to maintain control.

Specific Mana Cost: Another hurdle for players using Memnarch is its color identity. Although the card itself is not colored, its abilities need blue mana, potentially restricting it to blue or artifact-centric decks which can be a downside for players wanting to integrate it in a multicolored deck without sufficient mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Memnarch’s abilities, while powerful in converting any permanent to an artifact and furthermore taking control of it, come at a steep mana cost. Its initial casting cost is hefty, and the activation cost for each of its abilities can quickly deplete a player’s mana reserves, potentially leaving them vulnerable to their opponent’s moves.


Reasons to Include Memnarch in Your Collection

Versatility: Memnarch offers a broad range of strategies, allowing it to adapt to various deck builds. Its ability to convert any permanent into an artifact and then gain control of it can be a game-changer, making it a flexible inclusion for many blue-based decks.

Combo Potential: This card can create powerful synergies with other cards that benefit from controlling multiple artifacts. Whether it’s ramping up with artifact lands or creating infinite combos with untap mechanics, Memnarch integrates seamlessly into combo-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to disrupt opponent’s strategies by taking control of their key permanents, Memnarch continues to hold significance in several MTG metas. It’s particularly potent in commander games where its repeatable control-stealing effect can dominate the board.


How to beat

Overpowering Memnarch in MTG comes down to strategic deck building and precise gameplay. Much like facing a potent card such as Control Magic, which seizes control of an opponent’s creature, Memnarch presents a similar threat by transforming permanents into artifacts and subsequently taking control of them. To thwart Memnarch’s influence, leveraging artifact removal spells like Shatter or implementing countermeasures such as Pithing Needle, which can nullify activated abilities, are effective strategies.

Additionally, employing cards like Hurkyl’s Recall that can return all artifacts to their owner’s hand disrupts Memnarch’s strategy, forcing your opponent to reset their board state. Tack on effects that limit or prohibit ability activations, akin to Damping Matrix, and you create an environment where Memnarch loses much of its potency. Keep in mind, preparing your sideboard with these specific measures will enhance your resilience against artifact-centric strategies and turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Ultimately, outmaneuvering Memnarch requires thoughtful deck composition and a proactive approach to mitigating the card’s commanding abilities. Seamlessly integrating these strategies into your playstyle can ensure you triumph over Memnarch’s otherwise dominating presence on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you find the challenge of wielding Memnarch as alluring as we do, your MTG journey is about to enter a new chapter of dominance. A card capable of turning the tide of any game, Memnarch rewards players who skillfully manage resources with its game-changing abilities. Mastering the right balance of mana acceleration and strategic gameplay is key. And for those looking to defend against this formidable foe, a well-prepared sideboard is your best ally. Embrace the versatility, acknowledge the power, and adapt to overcome. Let’s further unlock the potential of your deck strategies and safeguard your wins against powerful cards. Discover more with us and make every match one to remember.


Cards like Memnarch

Memnarch is a unique artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, with the distinctive ability to take control of other artifacts. It bears comparison to Praetor’s Grasp, which allows a player to seize an opponent’s card. Memnarch, however, offers more recurrent usability, granting the option to continually target artifacts and bring them under your sway. In contrast, Praetor’s Grasp is a one-time use.

Looking at Agent of Treachery, it too can take control of any permanent, not just artifacts. While Agent of Treachery has a more versatile thieving nature and the bonus draw upon controlling three or more stolen cards, Memnarch has the advantage of potentially being activated multiple times in a single turn, provided you have enough mana. This ability to consistently control the board can be pivotal in longer games.

Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that Memnarch requires a substantial mana investment to both play and use its ability, especially when looking to change multiple artifacts’ allegiances. It’s this aspect that brings an extra dimension to the strategic planning and mana management within the game, solidifying Memnarch’s position as a formidable card in the right deck.

Praetor's Grasp - MTG Card versions
Agent of Treachery - MTG Card versions
Praetor's Grasp - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Agent of Treachery - Core Set 2020 Promos (PM20)

Cards similar to Memnarch by color, type and mana cost

Wizard's Spellbook - MTG Card versions
Terisian Mindbreaker - MTG Card versions
Arcane Proxy - MTG Card versions
Thought Monitor - MTG Card versions
Mirrorshell Crab - MTG Card versions
Tangletrove Kelp - MTG Card versions
Wizard's Spellbook - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Terisian Mindbreaker - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Arcane Proxy - The Brothers' War Promos (PBRO)
Thought Monitor - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Mirrorshell Crab - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Tangletrove Kelp - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Memnarch MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and Archenemy, 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 Memnarch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Memnarch Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2016-08-19. Illustrated by Carl Critchlow.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-02-06DarksteelDST 1292003normalblackCarl Critchlow
22010-06-18ArchenemyARC 1122003normalblackCarl Critchlow
32016-08-19From the Vault: LoreV16 72015normalblackCarl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Memnarch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-12-01 The effects of Memnarch’s abilities don’t end at end of turn, and they don’t end when Memnarch leaves the battlefield. Both effects last until the affected permanent leaves the battlefield.
2004-12-01 You can use the first ability on a nonartifact permanent, wait for the ability to resolve, and then use the second ability on that permanent.

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