Amulet of Safekeeping MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 226
2018-07-13 - Number 226s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Key Takeaways
- Amulet of Safekeeping disrupts opponent’s token strategies, subtly tipping card advantage in your favor.
- Indirectly hinders opponents by making targeted spells costlier, throttling their resource allocation.
- Though not instant, its continuous effect makes it a strategic fit for reactive playstyles.
Text of card
Whenever you become the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter that spell or ability unless its controller pays . Creature tokens get -1/-0.
Whether it is magical, lucky, or merely old, it is cherished, and that gives it power.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Amulet of Safekeeping may not directly let you draw more cards, but it certainly can affect the card advantage by disrupting your opponent’s strategies. Playing this card can negate the benefits of their token generators and can subsequently reduce the efficiency of their deck, giving you a relative advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Amulet of Safekeeping can indirectly aid in resource management. By making targeted spells cost more for your opponents, it forces them to allocate mana inefficiently, potentially giving you the upper hand in developing your board or saving up resources for critical plays.
Instant Speed: Although Amulet of Safekeeping is not an instant itself, it complements decks that operate at instant speed. It provides a static effect that protects you and complicates your opponents’ plans, which synergizes well with a playstyle that keeps mana available to react immediately to threats or opportunities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Amulet of Safekeeping doesn’t dictate a discard, but it falls short when you’re dealing with a full grip of cards. In scenarios where opponents aren’t focused on token strategies or targeting you with discard spells, this artifact may linger as a less impactful piece on your board.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two colorless mana makes it universally applicable, yet it competes for the early game mana that could be spent on setting up your board or countering key plays.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana may not seem excessively high, in a game where tempo is crucial, the investment in Amulet of Safekeeping might not pay off immediately or effectively against a wide array of strategies, reducing its versatility compared to other artifacts or defensive spells at the same, or even lower, cost bracket.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Amulet of Safekeeping is a dynamic card that offers broad utility across various deck styles. It’s a fine addition for players looking to combat strategies that rely heavily on token generation or want to dampen the effects of opposing targeted spells and abilities.
Combo Potential: This artifact shines in combinations that profit from spell deterrents or tax effects. It can create favorable board states that allow for seamless execution of your own combos while disrupting opponents’ plans.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame with decks that depend on token strategies or multiple targeted trigger effects, the Amulet of Safekeeping becomes an essential asset. Its presence can pivot the direction of a game, making it a significant sideboard choice or even a mainboard card in the right environment.
How to beat Amulet of Safekeeping
Amulet of Safekeeping is a unique artifact from the world of Magic the Gathering. It has a niche yet influential role against decks that rely heavily on token generation and spells that target players. To effectively counter this artifact, you need to adapt your strategy and deck composition. Consider including indirect removal options, such as board wipes or universal artifact destruction, to efficiently handle the Amulet without falling behind.
Moreover, instead of token-centric strategies, aim to focus on creating high-value creatures that can avoid the token-penalizing effect of the Amulet. As for spells that target players, opting for those that deal damage to each opponent may bypass the Amulet’s influence. Another approach is utilizing hexproof abilities to shield your own spells or creatures from being targeted, thus diminishing the defensive capabilities of Amulet of Safekeeping. Adjusting your playstyle and making smart deck choices are the keys to maintain an edge over an opponent wielding this protective artifact.
In essence, the Amulet of Safekeeping demands that players think creatively and diversify their approaches. Successfully navigating around its defenses can turn the tide of a match, proving that in Magic the Gathering, even the most seemingly small obstacles require thoughtful tactics to overcome.
Cards like Amulet of Safekeeping
Amulet of Safekeeping stands out as a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering. Like Tormod’s Crypt, it offers a specific form of protection, this time against token creatures and target player strategies. Tormod’s Crypt provides grave-hate, exiling an opponent’s graveyard, while Amulet of Safekeeping brings something different to the table. Its ability to make tokens creatures less threatening by weakening them is especially useful in a meta filled with token strategies.
Looking at Witchbane Orb, we find similar protection for players, offering hexproof to its controller and thus safeguarding against targeted spells and abilities that could disrupt a player’s game plan. Amulet of Safekeeping provides a narrower range of defense but does so with a lower casting cost and an ongoing effect on token creatures. Additionally, the cost-increase effect on spells that target you can dissuade opponents from executing their plans, which could potentially tip matches in your favor.
When considering defensive options in your MTG deck, it is evident that Amulet of Safekeeping has a distinct place. It provides tailored protection that can be invaluable in matches where token creatures dominate and targeted spells are a constant threat.
Cards similar to Amulet of Safekeeping by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Amulet of Safekeeping MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Core Set 2019 Promos, 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 Amulet of Safekeeping and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Amulet of Safekeeping Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2018-07-13. Illustrated by Aaron Miller.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 226 | 2015 | normal | black | Aaron Miller | |
| 2 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 Promos | PM19 | 226s | 2015 | normal | black | Aaron Miller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Amulet of Safekeeping has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
