Crown of the Ages MTG Card

Crown of the Ages enables strategic enchantment relocation, offering a significant shift in game dynamics. Instant speed activation allows adaptive play, increasing its unpredictability and strategic value. Requires discarding a card, adding a strategic layer to resource management in gameplay.

Ice Age (ICE)
1995-06-03 - Number 315

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 360

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

Text of card

o4,oc T: Switch target enchantment from one creature to another; the enchantment's new target must be legal. The controller of the enchantment does not change. Treat the enchantment as though it were just cast on the new target.

Cards like Crown of the Ages

The Crown of the Ages is an intriguing artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other equipment cards that focus on modifying creatures, such as the Whispersilk Cloak. However, the Crown of the Ages unique feature allows the transfer of enchantments from one creature to another, offering strategic flexibility not commonly found in similar cards.

When compared to the likes of the Neurok Stealthsuit, another equipment that offers protective capabilities, the Crown of the Ages is less about defense and more about the dynamic manipulation of the battlefield. The Stealthsuit grants shroud as a static ability, while the Crown requires a payment of two mana for each enchantment you wish to reallocate, allowing for on-demand adaptability during the game.

Overall, in the diverse ecosystem of artifact equipment in Magic: The Gathering, the Crown of the Ages provides a specialized advantage for enchantment-heavy decks, capitalizing on its ability to redistribute buffs or debuffs as the situation dictates, setting it apart from the straightforward enhancements of similar MTG artifacts.

Cards similar to Crown of the Ages by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Crown of the Ages can be instrumental in shifting the tide of a game by allowing the transfer of enchantments, which can strip opponents of their advantages or enhance your board position. This strategic exchange opens potential for significant gains in card utility if played wisely.

Resource Acceleration: Although not direct in creating mana or treasure, Crown of the Ages accelerates resource advantage by potentially bypassing mana costs associated with certain enchantments. By transferring an already played enchantment, you achieve an effect that could be mana-cost intensive if you had to cast it from your hand.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Crown of the Ages at instant speed provides tremendous flexibility. You can wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn before deciding whether to engage its ability, making it unpredictable and allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crown of the Ages requires you to not only pay mana but also discard a card to utilize its ability. This additional cost means sacrificing valuable hand resources which could be detrimental in situations where each card’s value is pivotal to maintaining game momentum. Managing your hand effectively is crucial in MTG, and having to part with a card could potentially disrupt your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Crown of the Ages comes with a mana cost that includes two generic mana. For players running multi-color decks, it’s often important to have mana sources that are as flexible as possible. Although two generic mana offers some versatility, dedicating those resources to this artifact could hinder the development of your board especially if other options at the same cost threshold could synergize better with your deck’s strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The overall cost to get Crown of the Ages on board and use its ability is quite high when examined alongside alternatives. At a total of four mana for its initial cost and subsequent activations, players could instead be utilizing that mana to cast game-changing spells or develop a more commanding presence on the battlefield. Its utility might not justify the investment, particularly when compared to other artifacts or spells in the same cost bracket offering a higher immediate or long-term value.

Reasons to Include Crown of the Ages in Your Collection

Versatility: Crown of the Ages offers a unique utility by allowing its controller to shift enchantments between targets. This provides strategic flexibility in numerous game scenarios, adapting to various deck themes and strategies.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines when combined with beneficial auras or when disrupting opponent’s enchantments. Its capacity to switch auras can unleash powerful combinations or dismantle an opponent’s strategy with finesse and surprise.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to reallocate enchantments, Crown of the Ages can be particularly relevant in metagames where aura-based decks are prevalent. Its presence in your collection ensures you have an answer to enchantment-heavy strategies while also empowering your own.

How to beat

When facing the Crown of the Ages in an MTG duel, players may need to adjust their strategies to disarm its unique ability to transfer enchantments. This artifact, requiring just two mana to cast and two to use, allows its controller to move enchantments from one target to another. To counter it, consider cards that neutralize artifacts directly or strategies that reduce the number of viable targets for enchantment transfers.

Utilize cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which efficiently deal with artifacts at a low cost and often at instant speed. Another approach is to limit the number of enchantments in play through discard mechanics or counter spells like Counterspell or Thoughtseize, which can prevent the enchantments or the Crown itself from ever hitting the board. Cards such as Pithing Needle can also be instrumental as they can shut down activated abilities of named cards.

While the Crown of the Ages can seem daunting, especially if used with powerful enchantments, it can be handled with proper artifact management and enchantment control. By preparing for it in your sideboard or including responsive measures in your main deck, you can ensure the Crown doesn’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crown of the Ages MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Crown of the Ages and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Crown of the Ages Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1995-06-03	Ice Age	ICE		315	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
2	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED		360	1997	Normal	White	Roger Raupp

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crown of the Ages has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crown of the Ages 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	This only targets the Aura and not either creature. This means it can move Auras onto a creature which can’t normally be targeted by spells and abilities if the Aura is legal on that creature.