Icon of Ancestry MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts tribal power and offers card advantage by searching for specific creature types.
  2. Can potentially reduce hand size if the search ability is overused.
  3. Artifact removal such as Abrade can effectively counteract its advantages.

Text of card

As Icon of Ancestry enters the battlefield, choose a creature type. Creatures you control of the chosen type get +1/+1. , : Look at the top three cards of your library. You may reveal a creature card of the chosen type from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Icon of Ancestry offers a consistent way to find key creatures from your deck, honing in on a specific creature type. This artifact not only buffs your creatures on the battlefield but its activated ability strengthens your hand by potentially drawing into more threats.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of mana, the Icon of Ancestry can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. It allows you to spend mana to dig deeper into your deck, thus accelerating your access to the creatures that matter most to your strategy without spending additional turns doing so.

Instant Speed: Its ability to scour your library for creatures can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility and surprise factor. You can end your opponent’s turn by looking for a new creature to play, thus optimizing your resources and reacting to the state of the game with more precision.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Icon of Ancestry does not directly require you to discard cards. However, its search ability can whittle down your hand if not used judiciously, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: While not color-specific, Icon of Ancestry does require three generic mana to cast, which means it competes with other three-drops in your deck that might be crucial for establishing early game presence or tempo.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its versatile tribal boost, the activation cost to search for creatures of the chosen type is three mana and the card itself is three. This cost is restrictive as it competes with your ability to play other cards on the same turn, potentially slowing down your game plan.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Icon of Ancestry is a card that serves multiple functions, easily sliding into tribal decks to offer both a boost in power and indispensable card filtering. It fits snugly into elf, goblin, wizard, or any deck that rallies around a particular creature type, enhancing their prowess on the battlefield significantly.

Combo Potential: As an artifact that can both empower creatures and help you sift through your library for key pieces, Icon of Ancestry rewards clever deck-building. Its ability to consistently search for tribe members can turn tides in your favor, often pulling crucial creatures just when you need them the most.

Meta-Relevance: With tribal strategies frequently peppered throughout the competitive landscape, having Icon of Ancestry in your arsenal means you’re well-equipped to support your creatures against a variety of decks. Its presence can tip the scales, transforming your board from a gathering of individual creatures to a formidable, united front that adapts well in an ever-shifting meta.


How to beat

Icon of Ancestry is an artifact celebrated for its tribal enhancement prowess in Magic: The Gathering. Venturing beyond the scope of mere buffing, it provides creatures of a chosen type not only a power and toughness boost but also a valuable opportunity to dig deeper into your library for creature reinforcements. This potent combination can pose a significant challenge on the battlefield as it continues to strengthen your opponent’s tribal synergies.

Overcoming Icon of Ancestry centers around timely disruption. Artifact removal spells like Nature’s Claim or Abrade are effective tools that can dismantle this tribal linchpin before its benefits cascade. Additionally, countering it upon casting with spells like Negate ensures that Icon of Ancestry’s influence is never felt. Keeping pressure on your opponent’s resources to prevent a dominant board state is also crucial. Board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the stage, negating the cumulative advantages gleaned from Icon of Ancestry.

Ultimately, catapulting past Icon of Ancestry’s advantages demands a blend of strategy and discipline. By anticipating and neutralizing the card before it carves out a significant tribal advantage, one can maintain an upper hand in the match, irrespective of the tribal forces amassed against them.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances and capabilities of the Icon of Ancestry can be a true game changer in MTG, especially if you’re passionate about tribal deck strategies. This potent artifact warrants consideration for any deck centered around a specific creature type. Its ability to enhance creatures and provide card advantage makes it a standout choice in a variety of matchups. Whether you’re refining your deck or scouting for new additions to your collection, grasping the finer points of such versatile cards is crucial. Enhance your deck-building skills and level the playing field by exploring more insights with us. Dive into the tribal synergy and ensure your deck is a formidable contender at your next clash.


Cards like Icon of Ancestry

Icon of Ancestry finds its place among the tribal support artifacts in MTG, functioning similarly to cards such as Adaptive Automaton and Vanquisher’s Banner. Both of these assets offer a boost to creatures of a certain type. Icon of Ancestry stands out by providing not only a stat boost but also the ability to search your library for specific creature types, thus enhancing both your field presence and your hand.

When evaluating the tribal synergies, Door of Destinies must also be mentioned. It accumulates power as you play more creatures of the chosen type, potentially leading to an overwhelming advantage. Unlike Icon of Ancestry, Door of Destinies doesn’t offer card advantage but can result in a far larger boost over time.

In conclusion, while there are several artifacts that favor tribal decks, Icon of Ancestry holds a unique position. Its combination of ongoing creature buffs and library-search ability make it a versatile choice for tribal commanders and creature-focused strategies.

Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Vanquisher's Banner - MTG Card versions
Door of Destinies - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - Magic 2012 (M12)
Vanquisher's Banner - Ixalan Promos (PXLN)
Door of Destinies - Morningtide (MOR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Icon of Ancestry MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020 and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Icon of Ancestry and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Icon of Ancestry Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-07-12 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 2292015normalblackChris Seaman
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 242★2015normalblackIvan Dedov
32022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2422015normalblackIvan Dedov
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9552015normalblackChris Seaman
52023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 3052015normalblackChris Seaman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Icon of Ancestry has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-07-12 You must choose an existing creature type, such as Vampire or Warrior. Card types (such as artifact) and supertypes (such as legendary) can't be chosen.

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