Astral Arena MTG Card
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Plane — Kolbahan |
| Released | 2018-12-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Planechase Anthology Planes |
| Set code | OPCA |
| Number | 14 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Planar |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Sam Burley |
Text of card
No more than one creature can attack each combat. No more than one creature can block each combat. Whenever you roll {Chaos}, Astral Arena deals 2 damage to each creature.
Cards like Astral Arena
Astral Arena is a notable card in the realm of multiplayer Magic: The Gathering formats. Its unique effect, which limits each combat to only two creatures duking it out, can be likened to other combat modifier cards like Dueling Grounds. Dueling Grounds restricts the number of creatures able to attack or block, engendering one-on-one creature combat akin to Astral Arena’s own skirmish-style play. Yet, Astral Arena is distinctive in its implication for multiplayer engagements, stimulating strategic decisions across more players.
Moreover, Silent Arbiter is reminiscent of Astral Arena’s controlling influence on combat. With the Arbiter in play, only one creature can attack or block each turn, mirroring the restricted combat environment that Astral Arena also fosters. The Arbiter, however, applies its effects across all players in a single turn, whereas Astral Arena cycles the limitation between players. Another comparative card is Crawlspace, which sets a cap on the amount of creatures that can attack a player, albeit being more lenient than Astral Arena by permitting a few more creatures into the foray.
In essence, while other cards offer similar effects, Astral Arena holds a unique position in shaping the battlefield dynamics, especially in games with multiple combatants, making it a fascinating option for players who enjoy orchestrating complex tactical battles.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Exploring the benefits of Astral Arena starts with its potential to generate card advantage. This enchantment lets players manipulate their decks and potentially draw additional cards under certain conditions, which can be a significant edge during gameplay.
Resource Acceleration: Astral Arena adds an interesting twist to resource acceleration. Not only does it provide a unique effect that could indirectly influence the resources at your disposal, but it also changes the battlefield dynamics, possibly leading to quicker mana utilization and more efficient spell casting.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed spells is undeniable and while Astral Arena itself isn’t an instant, it can affect how and when instants can be played. This enchantment could alter the pace of the game giving savvy players the chance to cast spells at critical moments, disrupting the opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Astral Arena card may necessitate discarding another card, which could be detrimental to your hand, especially when you need every card to count in tightly-contested matches.
Specific Mana Cost: If this card requires a certain color or combination of mana, it could pose challenges in decks that aren’t tailored to generate those exact resources, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that the Astral Arena card might come with a steep mana price, players need to weigh its benefits against other cards that could offer similar or better value for less mana investment, which could significantly impact game strategy and deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include Astral Arena in Your Collection
Versatility: Astral Arena offers a unique approach to shaking up gameplay, allowing for only one creature to attack each turn. This changes the dynamic of the battlefield significantly, fitting well with decks designed to take advantage of limited combat scenarios.
Combo Potential: With Astral Arena, there’s a space to combo with cards that control which creatures can attack or benefit from singular, powerful attackers. It’s a key piece for decks capitalizing on singular creature strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-heavy decks prevail, Astral Arena can be a game-changer, putting a cap on swarming tactics. It’s a smart inclusion for metas dominated by aggressive strategies, lending control players a tactical edge.
How to beat Astral Arena
Astral Arena stands out as a unique land card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to morph the traditional combat phase, compelling players to fight one-on-one duels with their creatures. This card can be quite the strategic puzzle for opponents, but don’t fret—there are ways to tilt the duel in your favor.
To outmaneuver Astral Arena, consider using creatures with potent enter the battlefield effects. Since battles are one-on-one, creatures like Reclamation Sage or Ravenous Chupacabra can swing the game by removing opponents’ key pieces before the combat even starts. Additionally, cards that offer instant speed removal or combat tricks provide an edge by letting you react to your opponent’s choices and disrupt their strategy.
Another tactic is to employ creatures that have evasion abilities such as flying or trample. By doing so, you ensure that even if your opponent has a creature to block, your creature can still inflict damage or provide a strategic advantage. Embrace the challenge of this arena, and with these strategies in mind, you’re well-equipped to claim victory over those who dare to enter the duel against you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Astral Arena MTG card by a specific set like Planechase Anthology Planes, 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 Astral Arena and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Astral Arena card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-06-01 | Astral Arena’s abilities stop more than one creature from being declared as an attacker or as a blocker each combat. However, it doesn’t affect creatures that are put onto the battlefield attacking or blocking. |
| 2012-06-01 | If a turn has multiple combat phases, either a different creature or the same one can attack or block in each of them. |