Astrolabe MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 118b
1996-06-10 - Number 118a
2009-09-07 - Number 189
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o1, oc T: Sacrifice Astrolabe to add two mana of any one color to your mana pool. Play this ability as an interrupt. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
Cards like Astrolabe
The Astrolabe card in Magic: The Gathering stands out as a unique artifact, reminiscent of the versatility provided by cards like the Prophetic Prism. Both allow for mana filtering, enabling smoother gameplay across multiple colors. Astrolabe differs in that it has the snow requirement, meaning it needs a snow land to be played effectively. Prophetic Prism doesn’t have such a constraint, making it a more flexible choice in non-snow decks.
Examining Arcum’s Astrolabe, another card with a similar theme, it also demands a snow mana for its casting. It provides card draw upon entering the battlefield and facilitates mana conversion. Yet, it lacks the repetitive use feature that Prophetic Prism offers through its mana filtering ability. Furthermore, there’s Chromatic Sphere which provides immediate mana conversion and card draw, but unlike the reusable Astrolabe, it’s a one-time use artifact.
Ultimately, the Astrolabe card has a niche advantage in snow-centric decks for MTG players seeking consistent mana fixing and an initial draw, especially in multi-color formats where these subtle differences can have quite an impactful role in the dynamics of play.
Cards similar to Astrolabe by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Astrolabe card’s ability to manipulate your deck can lead to a significant advantage in terms of card quality and access to the right resources when you need them. Its filtering effect lets you draw cards, indirectly improving your chance to find your deck’s key pieces.
Resource Acceleration: By providing a consistent way to convert mana into different colors, Astrolabe efficiently accelerates your resource management. This allows for a smoother gameplay experience, enabling multicolor decks to operate with ease and reducing the potential for being color-locked out of casting spells.
Instant Speed: The flexibility to use Astrolabe at instant speed gives players the upper hand during critical phases of the game. You may respond to your opponents’ actions, effectively utilizing your mana each turn and maintaining the element of surprise, which can be a deciding factor in many matches.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When you engage with the Astrolabe card, prepare to sacrifice a card from your hand, which might strain your resources, especially during the early game tension or if you’re already struggling to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Astrolabe’s demand for a particular mana blend can hinder its fluid inclusion across various deck archetypes, potentially curtailing its versatility. This makes it somewhat less desirable for those who favour multicoloured strategies or who don’t want to be constricted by mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the capabilities that Astrolabe offers, the mana investment is on the steeper side. When considering its place in your deck, it’s worth weighing its cost against other utility cards that might bring similar or more impactful effects to the battlefield for less of a mana commitment.
Reasons to Include Astrolabe in Your Collection
Versatility: Astrolabe is a multi-faceted tool, seamlessly slotting into various deck archetypes due to its ability to filter mana and draw a card. This can be particularly essential for decks that operate with a tight mana curve or require specific color combinations.
Combo Potential: In decks designed around synergies and combo plays, Astrolabe serves as an efficient engine. Its capacity to draw a card upon entering the battlefield makes it a cog in the machinery of draw-related combos or synergistic artifact strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Astrolabe’s functionality is not lost in shifting meta environments. Its flexibility in managing mana and contributing to card flow means it remains a steadfast choice among players keen on maintaining competitive edge regardless of the prevailing deck types.
How to beat
The Astrolabe card in the realm of Magic the Gathering has been seen as a versatile tool, enabling mana fixing and card draw with apparent ease. Dealing with an opponent’s Astrolabe can often feel like trying to grasp a slippery fish – the benefits it offers can slip through your fingers and give your opponent a smooth sail towards victory. However, even the most multifaceted cards have their Achilles’ heel.
To swing the game back in your favor, consider employing artifact removal spells that can dismantle an Astrolabe before its benefits can be fully reaped. Spells like Naturalize or Disenchant offer a swift resolution to the Astrolabe conundrum, whisking the artifact away before it can significantly impact the board. Additionally, applying pressure with aggressive creatures can divert attention from the Astrolabe, forcing your opponent to deal with imminent threats rather than optimizing their mana and card flow. Keep in mind, beating the Astrolabe means staying one step ahead, anticipating and reacting swiftly to its appearance on the battelfield.
Strategically, remember that patience is your friend. While it’s tempting to immediately target an Astrolabe, sometimes it’s wise to wait for the perfect moment when your opponent is most reliant on it. This way, the removal not only eliminates the card but also disrupts your opponent’s game plan. In the dance of strategy that is Magic the Gathering, precisely timing your moves can lead to a satisfying checkmate against even the most adaptable cards like the Astrolabe.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Astrolabe MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Astrolabe 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Astrolabe Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 118b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 118a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 3 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 189 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Astrolabe has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |