Castle Embereth MTG Card
2019-10-04 - Number 239
2019-10-04 - Number 387
2022-04-29 - Number 392
2022-06-10 - Number 883
2023-02-03 - Number 150
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Castle Embereth enters the battlefield tapped unless you control a Mountain. : Add . , : Creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn.
Without Embereth's courage, the realm would falter and fall.
Cards like Castle Embereth
Castle Embereth stands out in the pantheon of land cards within Magic: The Gathering with its unique ability to bolster your red creatures’ power. Much like its peer, Castle Ardenvale, it can offer a strategic advantage during late game, yet Castle Ardenvale focuses on creating creature tokens rather than boosting the ones you have on the battlefield. Dwarven Mine is another card that shares some kinship, as it too can serve red decks, offering a free Dwarf token with its mountain synergy. However, Dwarven Mine lacks the repeatable buff to creatures provided by Castle Embereth.
Moving forward, the comparison brings us to Keldon Megaliths, a land card that can also be a great fit in red-centric decks. While it doesn’t boost creature power, it offers direct damage potential, lighting a different path to victory. Lastly, Ramunap Ruins is also worth considering. It too comes with a built-in ability that can directly impact the game’s outcome by dealing damage to each opponent, yet it doesn’t interact with creature power as Castle Embereth does.
Overall, Castle Embereth is a valuable asset for MTG players running red-heavy decks, delivering the potential for significant combat swings that can be pivotal to clinching victory.
Cards similar to Castle Embereth by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Castle Embereth. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Convoke | Modern | Boros Convoke | Modern League 2024-04-30 |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
 | Mono-Red Midrange | Pioneer | Mono-Red Aggro | *HALF PRICE FRIDAY* ReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 2:00 pm |
 | Boros Tokens | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
 | Mono-Red Burn | Pioneer | Mono-Red Burn | Pioneer League 2024-04-05 |
| Mardu Stoneblade | Modern | Mardu Stoneblade | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-06 (1) |
 | Gruul Stompy | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Castle Embereth doesn’t directly provide card draw, it can turn each creature into a greater threat, effectively offering indirect advantage as your board presence translates into more damage without the need to commit additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a non-basic land, Castle Embereth fits smoothly into your mana base without consuming a spell slot. Once on the battlefield, it helps your mana efficiency by allowing you to invest mana into its ability to pump up your creatures, thus maximizing the value of your mana and the creatures you’ve played.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Castle Embereth’s power boost at instant speed gives it flexibility in combat situations. You can declare attackers and then use its ability to catch an opponent by surprise, potentially turning the tide of battle in your favor or complicating the decisions your opponent must make during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Castle Embereth doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded, it’s worth noting that having a requirement like that can put players at a setback as it diminishes the card advantage over opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: Castle Embereth’s ability is fueled by red mana, which can restrict its functionality in decks that aren’t heavily invested in red or don’t have consistent access to red mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Activating Castle Embereth’s power boost costs three mana including two that must be red. For aggressive red decks, this mana could potentially be directed towards casting additional creatures or direct damage spells for a more immediate impact.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Castle Embereth offers an easy fit into a wide array of red decks seeking a land that goes beyond simply providing mana. As a utility land with minimal drawbacks, it can be particularly effective in red aggro or midrange decks where boosting attack power is crucial.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with strategies that benefit from increased power, such as those involving tokens or creatures with “power matters” abilities. The ability to bolster an entire army with a single activation can turn the tide of a game.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive red decks play a sizable role, having Castle Embereth can give players an edge by amplifying their battlefield presence and pressuring the opponent consistently, making it a valuable addition matched to the rhythm of current gameplay.
How to beat
Castle Embereth holds the power to turn even a modest army into a threatening force on the battlefield. This red land ramps up the offensive capabilities of your creatures, offering a strategic boost, especially in decks that favor a wide board state with numerous creatures. Yet, as with any powerful card, knowing how to undermine its influence can turn the tides to your advantage.
To effectively counter Castle Embereth, controlling the board is crucial. Sweepers like Shatter the Sky or Storm’s Wrath can decimate an opponent’s creature base before they tap into the land’s ability. Alternatively, land destruction or land bounce spells can target Castle Embereth directly, making cards like Field of Ruin or Blink of an Eye key components in your strategy against it. Lastly, pacing your removal spells to keep their creature numbers in check will limit the card’s potential power surge. While Castle Embereth can amplify a threatening board, mitigating those threats early will prevent your opponent from capitalizing on the land’s power-up ability.
By maintaining board control and employing targeted disruption against Castle Embereth, you can effectively neutralize one of red’s potent battlefield enhancers, keeping your opponent’s blazing aspirations well within extinguishing reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Castle Embereth MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Throne of Eldraine, 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 Castle Embereth 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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Printings
The Castle Embereth Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 239 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 2 | 2019-10-04 | Throne of Eldraine | ELD | 387 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 3 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 392 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 4 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 883 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 5 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander | ONC | 150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Castle Embereth has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Castle Embereth card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-10-04 | Although the common lands have basic land types, they aren't basic lands. |
| 2019-10-04 | Once the common lands (such as Mystic Sanctuary) enter the battlefield tapped, there's no way to untap them with a spell or ability to make their last ability trigger. |