Archmage's Charm MTG Card


Archmage’s Charm provides card advantage, instant speed flexibility, and resource acceleration to outmaneuver opponents. While powerful, its restrictive mana cost and potential deck-building constraints should be carefully weighed. It’s invaluable in blue-based control decks for its ability to adapt to various scenarios during play.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Choose one — • Counter target spell. • Target player draws two cards. • Gain control of target nonland permanent with converted mana cost 1 or less.


Cards like Archmage's Charm

Archmage’s Charm stands out in the realm of MTG for its versatility and utility. It’s often set alongside Counterspell, widely recognized for its pure and straightforward ability to negate any spell. However, Archmage’s Charm offers players a choice of three potent effects beyond mere counteraction. Such flexibility is at a premium, especially at instant speed, despite its more restrictive mana cost with three blue mana symbols.

Another card that echoes this adaptability is Mystic Confluence. This card allows for a mix of modes, from countering spells to drawing cards, or even bouncing creatures. Although Mystic Confluence is more expensive mana-wise, its modular nature permits various combinations of effects in a single resolution. Compare this to Cryptic Command, which also offers a menu of choices at the same cost but differs in its specific options and the combination of blue and generic mana in its cost.

Overall, such ability to tailor responses against opponents positions Archmage’s Charm as a formidable choice in blue decks, adept at swinging the tempo of the game, stealing small but critical assets, or refilling a player’s hand in critical moments, giving it an esteemed place among its peers in MTG.

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Mystic Confluence - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Mystic Confluence - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Archmage's Charm. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Sultai ControlSultai Control ModernSultai ControlModern Challenge 32 2024-04-25
Dimir ControlDimir Control ModernDimir ControlModern Showcase Challenge 2024-04-13
Murktide RegentMurktide Regent ModernMurktide RegentModern Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange ModernDimir MidrangeModern League 2024-04-09
Grixis ControlGrixis Control ModernGrixis ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-04-13
Izzet ControlIzzet Control ModernIzzet ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-04-14 (1)
Bant ControlBant Control ModernBant ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-04-20
Azorius ControlAzorius Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024
4c Control4c Control Modern4c ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-04-14
Temur ControlTemur Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Archmage’s Charm offers a versatile approach to card advantage, giving the player the option to draw two cards to stay ahead in resources. This capacity to draw into more answers or threats can easily tilt the match in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Archmage’s Charm doesn’t directly produce mana or Treasure tokens, it accelerates your resources by allowing you to potentially counter a spell or gain control of a nonland permanent with mana cost one or less. This can result in a significant tempo swing and indirectly lead to resource advantage.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Archmage’s Charm provides strategic flexibility. This aspect of the card enables reactive play, allowing you to adapt to your opponent’s moves or optimally time your spell for maximum effect during any player’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Archmage’s Charm does not have a discard requirement, enhancing its value within your deck. This aspect can be beneficial, allowing you to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating three blue mana can be restrictive. The specific mana cost means the card is best suited for mono-blue or two-color decks that can reliably produce the necessary blue sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Archmage’s Charm comes with a relatively high casting cost for its effects. While versatile, the card competes with other options that may provide similar advantages at a lower mana investment, which is something to consider when building a deck.


Reasons to Include Archmage’s Charm in Your Collection

Versatility: Archmage’s Charm offers three different modes, making it a swiss army knife for blue-based control decks. It can counter spells, draw cards, or gain control of small permanents, all at instant speed. This flexibility allows players to adapt to a wide array of situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Its ability to draw two cards is not only good for hand replenishment but can also synergize with decks that capitalize on card draw mechanics. More cards in hand means more fuel for potential combos or just the right response when it’s most needed.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where blue control or tempo strategies are prevalent, Archmage’s Charm is a critical tool. Its power to disrupt opponents’ plays, maintain card advantage, or alter board presence ensures its relevance in a competitive scene.


How to beat

The versatility of Archmage’s Charm is a force to be reckoned with in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. This blue instant offers three modes: counter a spell, gain control of a nonland permanent with mana value 1, or draw two cards. Its adaptability can make it appear daunting to tackle at first glance.

Beating Archmage’s Charm requires strategic finesse. To outplay it, you need to bait your opponent into using their mana ineffectively. Playing lower-priority spells can lure them into countering the less essential ones. Depleting their mana before deploying your powerful cards is key. Additionally, employing spells that can’t be countered, such as those with the ability ‘cannot be countered,’ gives Archmage’s Charm one less target, effectively nullifying its most potent mode.

Remember, Archmage’s Charm thrives in a resource-abundant environment. Disrupting your opponent’s mana base, through cards that restrict their untapping or double-spell casting in a single turn, can stifle their ability to wield this trick up their sleeve proficiently. By making every move count and observing the pace and timing of your plays, you can navigate around the pitfalls this card introduces.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering every facet of your deck is pivotal for rising to the top in MTG play. Acknowledging the versatility of Archmage’s Charm brings you closer to such mastery. With its ability to shift games in your favor, from drawing critical cards to negating key plays or commandeering your opponent’s strategy, it’s essential to recognize the profound impact it could have on your match outcomes. Staying ahead of the meta and optimizing your deck composition can sometimes hinge on a single card. If you’re keen to refine your blue-based deck or inject some tactical dynamism into your gameplay, deepening your understanding of Archmage’s Charm and similar pivotal cards could make the difference. Dive deeper with us to enhance your game strategies and add some powerhouse cards to your arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Archmage's Charm MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons, 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 Archmage's Charm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Archmage's Charm Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 912331997NormalBlackAlayna Danner
22019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 402015NormalBlackAlayna Danner
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 1 TimeshiftsH1R 71997NormalBlackAlayna Danner
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 1662015NormalBlackAlayna Danner
52024-04-19Breaking NewsOTP 82015NormalBorderlessJustine Mara Andersen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Archmage's Charm has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-06-14 If a creature on the battlefield has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.