Archon of Valor's Reach MTG Card
Text of card
Flying, vigilance, trample As Archon of Valor's Reach enters the battlefield, choose artifact, enchantment, instant, sorcery, or planeswalker. Players can't cast spells of the chosen type.
Cards like Archon of Valor's Reach
Archon of Valor’s Reach is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a design space with a select group of versatile cards. Comparable to Iona, Shield of Emeria, the Archon has the ability to disrupt opponents by restricting them from casting spells of a chosen type. Unlike Iona, which locks out an entire color, Archon of Valor’s Reach offers a more nuanced approach, allowing you to select from among artifact, enchantment, instant, sorcery, planeswalker, or creature spells during its casting, providing strategic flexibility based on the game’s context.
Vexing Shusher is another card that interacts with the casting of spells. While it doesn’t prevent opponents from casting like the Archon, it offers the ability to make your spells uncounterable. This support role contrasts with the Archon’s proactive control role. Then there’s Gaddock Teeg which, similar to the Archon, limits certain spells from being cast. However, the Archon’s influence is more expansive since Gaddock Teeg’s restriction is based on the spells’ converted mana cost, not type.
As players consider their green-white decks and control strategies, the utility and flexibility of Archon of Valor’s Reach often place it as a high-impact choice, providing a robust disruption against opponents’ strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Archon of Valor's Reach by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Archon of Valor's Reach. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Naya Midrange | Legacy | Naya Depths | $5K - Legacy - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Sunday - 9:30 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Archon of Valor’s Reach provides a unique form of card advantage by allowing you to choose a card type that opponents cannot cast. This preemptively disrupts their game plan while bolstering your board presence with a formidable flyer.
Resource Acceleration: While the Archon itself does not directly accelerate resources, its mere presence can potentially slow down opponents’ resource development by preventing them from casting key spells, tipping the resource balance in your favor.
Instant Speed: Although Archon of Valor’s Reach is a creature card and doesn’t have instant speed, its ability to lock out an entire category of cards can compensate for this, functioning similarly to a preemptive counterspell against specific strategies, effectively securing your advantage at the speed of your opponent’s disruption.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Archon of Valor’s Reach offers a robust presence on the battlefield, it does come with the sizable condition of having to choose a card type that opponents can’t cast. This strategic decision can sometimes backfire if you lock out a card type that’s more detrimental to your own strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying this formidable creature requires a specific array of mana: one green, one white, and four others. This means it leans heavily on being included in decks that are finely tuned to generate both of these colors efficiently, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored or less mana-stable deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana value of six, Archon of Valor’s Reach carries a comparatively high cost, which might curb its playability in faster, more aggressive deck strategies. Some players may find that other creatures or spells with lower cost might fit their game plan more seamlessly, especially in formats where speed is of the essence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Archon of Valor’s Reach is a card that can find a home in a variety of decks, particularly those seeking to hinder opponents’ strategies by restricting them from casting specific types of spells. Its ability to choose an entire card type such as sorceries or enchantments makes it a flexible addition to any lineup.
Combo Potential: Many strategies that focus on creature-based synergies can capitalize on the Archon’s potential. With its built-in protection from a chosen card type, it can serve as a reliable piece in combos or as a means to safeguard other combo elements already in play.
Meta-Relevance: The constantly evolving meta often sees various dominant deck types, and the Archon can adapt to it. Whether it’s suppressing key instants in a combo-heavy environment or preventing crucial creature spells in aggro matchups, this card holds its ground across multiple competitive formats.
How to beat
Archon of Valor’s Reach is an impactful creature in MTG that can change the game with its unique ability to lock out a specific type of card. When it enters the battlefield, you choose an instant, sorcery, enchantment, artifact, planeswalker, or creature, and players can’t cast spells of the chosen type. This can severely limit an opponent’s options and tilt the game in the Archon player’s favor. So how do you swing the momentum back your way?
Firstly, versatile removal spells that can target a range of permanent types are essential when facing Archon of Valor’s Reach. Cards like Assassin’s Trophy or Bedevil can bypass the Archon’s restriction by not falling into a locked-out category. Secondly, counterspells are effective since you can prevent the Archon from hitting the battlefield in the first place. Lastly, having a diverse deck can help mitigate the restriction imposed by the Archon, ensuring that locking out one type of card won’t completely hamstring your strategy.
In summary, while Archon of Valor’s Reach has the potential to disrupt many MTG strategies, well-rounded decks and smart use of universal removal and counterspells can keep this powerful creature in check.
BurnMana Recommendations
If you’re looking to strengthen your MTG collection with cards that offer strategic depth and disruption, the Archon of Valor’s Reach is an exceptional choice. Understanding its versatile control element is key to using it effectively in your game plan. As the meta shifts, so does the value of adaptable cards like the Archon, giving you an edge against a wide range of opponent strategies. Dive deeper into MTG tactics and deck-building wisdom with us. Enhance your gameplay and emerge victorious in your next duel by including this powerhouse in your arsenal.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Archon of Valor's Reach MTG card by a specific set like Battlebond and Commander 2020, 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 Archon of Valor's Reach and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Archon of Valor's Reach Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-06-08 and 2020-04-17. Illustrated by Gabor Szikszai.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 74 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai | |
| 2 | 2020-04-17 | Commander 2020 | C20 | 202 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Archon of Valor's Reach has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Archon of Valor's Reach card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-06-08 | The enters-the-battlefield effect of Archon of Valor’s Reach is a replacement effect that doesn’t use the stack. No player can cast spells or activate abilities after it has entered the battlefield but before you choose a card type. |
| 2018-06-08 | Whether it’s legal to cast a spell is determined before its costs are paid. This means that if Archon of Valor’s Reach has sorcery as the chosen type, you can’t cast Morbid Curiosity, even if you wish to sacrifice Archon of Valor’s Reach to do so. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.