Cartouche of Knowledge MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 45
2019-11-07 - Number 309
2020-08-13 - Number 51
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-45
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura Cartouche |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature you control When Cartouche of Knowledge enters the battlefield, draw a card. Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has flying.
Cartouches chronicle the initiates' achievements in the trials.
Cards like Cartouche of Knowledge
Cartouche of Knowledge brings a unique twist to the enchantment auras in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to cards like Curious Obsession, which notably grants a creature +1/+1 and the ability to draw a card when it does combat damage to a player. Though Cartouche of Knowledge provides a slightly different edge with its additional flying trait, giving creatures more evasion. Curious Obsession doesn’t inherently increase a creature’s reach in this manner.
Alike in its role, we find Ophidian Eye, another enchantment that gifts the enchanted creature with the ability to draw a card upon dealing damage. However, Ophidian Eye also offers the creature the tap ability, differing in the way the card advantage is obtained. Cartouche of Knowledge’s grant of flying is a clear divergence that can be a game-changer in the air.
Assessing these enchantments reveals that Cartouche of Knowledge fits well within the pantheon of aura spells in Magic: The Gathering, especially for decks looking to gain aerial superiority while also accruing card advantage. Its specific combination of buffs makes it a tactical inclusion in many strategies, especially in blue-based flying decks.
Cards similar to Cartouche of Knowledge by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you cast Cartouche of Knowledge, not only do you get to enchant a creature, but the card also permits you to draw a card. This can be quite advantageous as it helps replenish your hand and maintain a solid presence on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: By attaching Cartouche of Knowledge to a creature, you effectively accelerate your resources on the board. The enchanted creature gains a +1/+1 boost and flying, a key ability that can help you dodge ground-based defenders and potentially close off games quicker by hitting your opponent directly.
Instant Speed: While Cartouche of Knowledge is an aura that you cast at sorcery speed, its ability to give a creature flying can have an instantaneous effect on the game’s dynamics. Deploying it at the right moment can catch opponents off guard, especially when enhancing a creature that can then attack unblocked.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of adding Cartouche of Knowledge to your deck is that it does not itself directly provide card advantage. Playing it does not replace itself in your hand, and without an additional means to draw cards, it could leave you at a card disadvantage, which is critical in resource-intensive games.
Specific Mana Cost: Cartouche of Knowledge requires both generic and blue mana to cast. This specific mana cost necessitates a commitment to blue mana sources in your deck, potentially limiting its inclusion to blue-centric or two-color decks that can reliably produce blue mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the enchantment does offer a blend of creature enhancement and card draw, its cost of two mana, one of which must be blue, might be considered high by some players, especially when compared to other low-cost card draw or aura options available in the game. This cost necessitates careful planning of mana allocation in the early game phase.
Reasons to Include Cartouche of Knowledge in Your Collection
Versatility: Cartouche of Knowledge offers flexibility as it easily slips into various blue-based decks. Auras that grant both card draw and flying can be a critical upgrade for creatures, turning even the most benign board presence into an aerial threat.
Combo Potential: This Cartouche synergizes well with cards favoring enchantments. With the ability to make any creature a more formidable flier and simultaneously replace itself in your hand, it works well in decks seeking to capitalize on enchantment synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that values card advantage and evasion, Cartouche of Knowledge can be particularly advantageous. As it aligns with tempo strategies and provides incremental value, it’s adaptable to various metagames, especially if lighter creatures dominate the scene.
How to Beat
Overcoming the Cartouche of Knowledge in Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic approach to hinder its benefits. Recognized for its ability to grant a creature flying and draw a card upon enchantment, it’s a tool that can transform unassuming creatures into significant aerial threats. Disabling its effectiveness often means addressing the buffed creature rather than the enchantment itself.
One tactful method is using removal spells that can handle the enchanted creature before it becomes a problem in the sky. Consider timely plays with cards like Fatal Push or Cast Down to neutralize threats without excessive resource investment. Additionally, cards such as Naturalize allow you to directly target and destroy enchantments, eliminating the Cartouche’s influence immediately.
Counterspells also play a pivotal role in thwarting this strategy. By keeping mana open, you can counter the Cartouche of Knowledge as it attempts to hit the board, preserving the status quo. Engaging in these strategies not only mitigates the immediate impact of flying creatures but also retains card advantage, crucial for winning matches in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cartouche of Knowledge MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Mystery Booster, 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 Cartouche of Knowledge 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
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Printings
The Cartouche of Knowledge Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 309 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 51 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | AKH-45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cartouche of Knowledge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cartouche of Knowledge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Cartouche is an enchantment subtype with no special meaning. Other cards may care about which enchantments are Cartouches. |
| 2017-04-18 | Each Cartouche is an Aura with “Enchant creature you control.” If another player gains control of either the Cartouche or the enchanted creature (but not both), then the Cartouche will be enchanting an illegal permanent and be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. |
| 2017-04-18 | If the target creature becomes an illegal target before a Cartouche spell resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve. It doesn’t enter the battlefield. |