Chaos Orb MTG Card

Chaos Orb provides card advantage by potentially removing multiple opponent permanents at instant speed. Demands dexterity for effective use; a specific and inflexible two mana cost may affect mana curve strategy. Versatile and meta-relevant, it can counter high-impact permanents and pairs well with recursion strategies.

Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
1993-08-05 - Number 235

Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
1993-10-04 - Number 236

Unlimited Edition (2ED)
1993-12-01 - Number 236

Chaos Orb - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)

Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
1993-12-10 - Number 236

Collectors' Edition (CED)
1993-12-10 - Number 236

Chaos Orb - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)

30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
2022-11-28 - Number 528

30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
2022-11-28 - Number 231

Card sets	Released in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Text of card

o1: Flip Chaos Orb onto the playing area from a height of at least one foot. Chaos Orb must turn completely over at least once or it is discarded with no effect. When Chaos Orb lands, any cards in play that it touches are destroyed, as is Chaos Orb.

Cards like Chaos Orb

The iconic Chaos Orb is a unique artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering. With its distinctive “flip onto the playing area” method of destruction, it stands out from other removal cards. Similar artifacts with removal abilities include Nevinyrral’s Disk, which also clears the field but does so in a more controlled and predictable manner, destroying all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments when activated.

Another card that resonates with the randomness of Chaos Orb is Goblin Game. Although not an artifact, it introduces an unusual method of influencing the game’s outcome, pushing players into a bidding war that can drastically swing life totals. Perilous Vault is also worth mentioning, as it exiles all nonland permanents, offering a more thorough but delayed wipe than Chaos Orb’s instantaneous but selective destruction.

When comparing these cards, Chaos Orb’s legacy as a powerful and unconventional artifact becomes clear. Its unique mechanics and the unpredictability it brings to the game make it a cherished piece of MTG history, despite being banned in many formats for its randomness and physical dexterity requirements.

Cards similar to Chaos Orb by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chaos Orb’s ability to potentially remove multiple opposing permanents can drastically shift the balance of cards in play. This creates an edge that can translate into card advantage, as fewer resources for your opponent often means more opportunities for you to capitalize.

Resource Acceleration: While Chaos Orb doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, its unique ability to disrupt opponents’ lands or critical permanents can effectively set their resource progression back, indirectly giving you a relative increase in available resources.

Instant Speed: Chaos Orb can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and the element of surprise. You can respond to the development of your opponent’s board at the most opportune moment, making Chaos Orb a powerful and unexpected form of interaction.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Chaos Orb demands expert precision since it requires physical dexterity to flip onto the battlefield effectively. This unique requirement can lead to misplays, which can be detrimental to your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Chaos Orb comes with a specific two mana investment – one colorless mana and one more of any color. This cost is inflexible, potentially complicating your mana curve, particularly in multicolored decks with a tight mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana might seem modest, but for its one-time use effect—a potentially game-changing removal—it’s a significant commitment. In a game where every mana point counts, investing in a Chaos Orb could detract from deploying other strategic plays or creatures that offer ongoing benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chaos Orb has the unique ability to disrupt any board state by flipping onto the battlefield and potentially destroying a specific target. This flexibility can be advantageous in a wide range of decks, especially those where precision removal is needed.

Combo Potential: With the right set of cards or strategy, Chaos Orb’s destruction effect can be leveraged to clear away troublesome permanents. It’s particularly potent in combinations that maximize artifact recursion, allowing for repeated use of its unique ability.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where singular, high-impact permanents dominate, Chaos Orb can serve as a powerful equalizer. Its ability to remove key pieces from play without restriction to colour or card type makes it a valuable tool against diverse meta threats.

How to beat

The enigmatic Chaos Orb is a unique and storied piece of Magic: The Gathering’s history, known for its distinct method of impacting the game. This artifact card challenges players with its singular ability to destroy any single card in play, but only after a successful flip onto the target. To outmaneuver Chaos Orb, a strategic approach is essential.

One effective method to invalidate the Orb’s ability is through the use of cards that restrict or negate artifact activations. Instant speed spells such as Naturalize or Disenchant, which destroy target artifacts or enchantments can be crucial in swiftly eliminating the Chaos Orb before it wreaks havoc. Alternatively, redirecting the Orb’s destruction capability to less critical permanents on your side of the battlefield can minimize its overall impact.

Moreover, since Chaos Orb requires precision to determine its effect, spreading out your permanents on the battlefield can lower the likelihood of multiple cards being hit. In essence, the key to beating Chaos Orb lies in proactive defense, be it through instant removal, strategic layout of the game state, or employing abilities that shield your most valuable cards from being targeted.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chaos Orb MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Chaos Orb and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Chaos Orb Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1993-08-05	Limited Edition Alpha	LEA	235	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin
2	1993-10-04	Limited Edition Beta	LEB	236	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin
3	1993-12-01	Unlimited Edition	2ED	236	1993	Normal	White	Mark Tedin
4	1993-12-10	Intl. Collectors' Edition	CEI	236	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin
5	1993-12-10	Collectors' Edition	CED	236	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin
6	2022-11-28	30th Anniversary Edition	30A	528	1997	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin
7	2022-11-28	30th Anniversary Edition	30A	231	2015	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chaos Orb has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Restricted
Commander	Banned
Legacy	Banned
Oathbreaker	Banned
Vintage	Banned
Duel	Banned
Predh	Banned

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chaos Orb card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Chaos Orb can only affect permanents. Cards that are in the game but not on the battlefield, such as those in the Library and Graveyard, can’t be affected.
2004-10-04	If you have sleeves on cards, they count as the cards.
2004-10-04	It must flip 360 degrees (that’s what “flip” means). And this flip must be in the air and not in your hand.
2004-10-04	This is a not a targeted ability.
2004-10-04	You can arrange your cards any time before the Orb is put onto the battlefield, but not after. In general, you should not stack cards or put them in places where your opponent can’t read the names of all of them or count them. This is recommended good gaming practice.
2004-10-04	You can’t interfere in any physical way with activating this ability.
2019-01-27	If you are playing Chaos Orb in the Old School format, the card's text is “, : Choose a nontoken permanent on the battlefield. If Chaos Orb is on the battlefield, flip Chaos Orb onto the battlefield from a height of at least one foot. If Chaos Orb turns over completely at least once during the flip, and lands resting on the chosen permanent, destroy that permanent. Then destroy Chaos Orb.”