Magus of the Arena MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Fight
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Magus of the Arena offers card advantage through its consistent creature combat ability, shaping the game’s momentum.
  2. Its synergy for combos and recurring abilities significantly increases its utility on the battlefield.
  3. Strategic removal, limited creature play, and protection are key to overcoming Magus of the Arena’s control.

Text of card

, : Tap target creature you control and target creature of an opponent's choice he or she controls. Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its power to the other.

The magus still hears the roar of the crowds. They're gone, but the will to compete remains.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Magus of the Arena’s ability to selectively engage creatures in combat can result in beneficial trades, essentially removing an adversary’s critical piece while maintaining board presence. Over time, this can lead to a significant advantage as you dictate the flow of combat.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana resources, Magus of the Arena can swiftly clear the way for your more mana-intensive creatures to connect with your opponent, effectively accelerating the potential to deal damage and close out the game.

Instant Speed: The power of Magus of the Arena isn’t in the speed of its abilities, but in its recurring nature. Each turn presents a new opportunity to strategically influence the battlefield, much like the versatile and reactive nature of instant speed spells, keeping opponents on their toes and forcing them to play around its activation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate Magus of the Arena’s ability, players must also discard a card, which might be detrimental when hand size is critical to maintaining an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s ability requires both red and generic mana, which can be restrictive for multi-color decks or those operating on a tight mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a substantial mana cost to both play and use the card’s ability, Magus of the Arena may not be as resource-efficient as other creature control options available at lower mana points.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Magus of the Arena offers the ability to selectively engage in creature combat, making it a dynamic choice for decks that want to manipulate the battlefield without relying on direct removal spells.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with effects that untap creatures, allowing for multiple uses in a single turn. It can also work well with cards that have tap-triggered abilities, creating opportunities for powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given the competitive landscape often involves creature-based strategies, Magus of the Arena can serve as a tactical asset in controlling opponents’ significant threats and can be especially impactful in games where board presence is crucial.


How to beat

Magus of the Arena is a potent creature card that brings a unique controlling dynamic to the battlefield in MTG. Armed with the ability to engage other creatures in one-on-one combat, it can dominate games if left unchecked. Tackling this card requires strategic removal. Ideally, you’d keep cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile in hand to dispatch it before its ability can be activated. Instant-speed removal is key, as you can respond to the activation and eliminate the Magus before it deals lethal damage to your creatures.

When facing the Magus of the Arena, it’s also wise to manage the number of creatures you have in play. By limiting targets, you can undercut the card’s potential. Cards that grant indestructibility or protection such as Heroic Intervention can be game-changers, safeguarding your creatures from the Magus’s forced battles. Lastly, countering it upon casting with spells like Counterspell or Negate disrupts your opponent’s plans and keeps the board state in your favor. In essence, swift removal, protective measures, and counterplay are the trifecta of tactics to overcome the challenge posed by Magus of the Arena.


Cards like Magus of the Arena

In the realm of creature-based control, Magus of the Arena is a notable piece with a powerful combat ability, parallel to cards like Arena itself. Like the land Arena, Magus of the Arena allows players to force battles between creatures, albeit with the added flexibility of being a creature. However, this Magus requires a payment of three mana and tapping, which is a more substantial cost than tapping the land Arena.

Looking at other creatures, Goblin Chieftain shares the same casting cost as Magus of the Arena but diverges by focusing on tribal synergies and hasty attacks rather than control tactics. Contrastingly, Visara the Dreadful offers a similar control ability without the need for mana, but it demands tapping and only targets creatures without flying. Then, there’s the formidable Avatar of Woe, capable of destroying creatures with ease and without mana cost when the right condition is met, providing a significant advantage in terms of board control.

When comparing utility and board impact, Magus of the Arena provides a unique blend of creature combat control, situating it as a strategic choice in MTG battles that require pinpoint removal and tactical plays.

Arena - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Visara the Dreadful - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Woe - MTG Card versions
Arena - HarperPrism Book Promos (PHPR)
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)
Visara the Dreadful - Onslaught (ONS)
Avatar of Woe - Prophecy (PCY)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magus of the Arena MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Commander 2013, 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 Magus of the Arena and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Magus of the Arena Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by Thomas M. Baxa.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-02-02Planar ChaosPLC 1042003normalblackThomas M. Baxa
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 1152003normalblackThomas M. Baxa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Magus of the Arena has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2007-02-01 If an effect changes the targets of this ability, the second target can be changed to any creature the chosen opponent controls. The choice of opponent can’t be changed.
2007-02-01 If either target leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, the ability taps the remaining target, but no damage is dealt. If both targets leave the battlefield, the ability doesn’t resolve.
2007-02-01 Magus of the Arena’s controller always chooses their creature first.
2007-02-01 Tapped creatures can be targeted. Tapping them again will do nothing, but they’ll still deal damage.

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