Diaochan, Artful Beauty MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 108
2012-11-02 - Number 5
2015-11-18 - Number 57
2002-06-24 - Number 47971
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Advisor |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
On your turn, before you attack, you may tap Diaochan to destroy any one creature. Then, your opponent destroys any one creature of his or her choice.
Cards like Diaochan, Artful Beauty
Diaochan, Artful Beauty makes a unique impression within the MTG universe by mastering the art of manipulation. This legendary creature offers a power to selectively remove threats on the board, akin to a delicate dance, much like the selective targeting effects seen in cards like Royal Assassin. While Royal Assassin requires a tapped creature to execute its effect, Diaochan offers a more flexible option, despite the potential backfire due to its political nature.
Moving further into this space, we encounter Visara the Dreadful, another card that presents a similar targeted creature destruction ability. However, unlike Diaochan, Visara’s ability is straightforward and only affects your opponents’ creatures, which removes the bargaining aspect unique to Diaochan’s game play. Then, there’s Capricious Efreet, which also engages in creature elimination but in a more random fashion, adding an element of chance that Diaochan cunningly sidesteps with player choice.
In evaluating these cards alongside Diaochan, Artful Beauty, it’s clear that while there are similarities in function, Diaochan offers a more strategic level of control that can be manipulated to the player’s advantage. This lends to a compelling position within MTG where intrigue and the subtle layers of player interaction play a critical role.
Cards similar to Diaochan, Artful Beauty by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Diaochan, Artful Beauty serves primarily as a repeatable removal tool in the format, allowing players to selectively target and remove key creatures from the battlefield. With every activation, you have the potential to take out an opponent’s threats while navigating around your own, positioning yourself favorably in the game’s progression.
Resource Acceleration: While Diaochan herself does not directly provide mana or resource acceleration, her ability to control the board can indirectly accelerate your game plan. By removing blockers or threats, Diaochan paves the way for your attacks and strategies, ensuring you can press the advantage without facing significant resistance.
Instant Speed: Though Diaochan’s ability is not at instant speed, it is activated at the end of an opponent’s turn, simulating the tempo advantage you would receive from an instant. This allows you to utilize your mana efficiently during your turn, holding back only enough to activate her ability, and keeping your other spells and options ready without telegraphing your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players using Diaochan, Artful Beauty, one must be cautious as utilizing her ability requires sacrificing her unless clever tricks or protections are put in place. This can potentially lead to card disadvantage if not properly managed.
Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature comes with a double red mana cost in its casting requirements, making it potentially cumbersome in multicolored decks or those that maintain a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three and a double red, Diaochan, Artful Beauty’s ability to control the board comes at a significant mana investment. Considering alternative removal options in the format, her cost may detract from her overall utility in a fast-paced game.
Reasons to Include Diaochan, Artful Beauty in Your Collection
Versatility: Diaochan, Artful Beauty offers a unique control element that can be seamlessly integrated into various decks. Her ability to target and destroy creatures can be pivotal in games, making her a flexible choice for commander or legacy formats.
Combo Potential: Her talent for selective creature removal can create combo opportunities, setting the stage for big plays. Players can design strategies around her ability to manipulate the battlefield, potentially clearing the way for a winning strike.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies often prevail, Diaochan serves as an important tool. She can break opponent’s defenses or remove key creatures that are central to their game plan, thereby maintaining her relevance in various meta environments.
How to beat
Diaochan, Artful Beauty is an intriguing card in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering that represents an interesting control challenge. Primarily found in Commander games, Diaochan offers strategic depth through her ability to manipulate the battlefield. Engaging in head-to-head play with Diaochan requires a keen understanding of board politics and the precise timing of removal spells.
Tackling Diaochan effectively hinges on maintaining a diverse array of removal options that can operate at instant speed. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Beast Within offer a swift response to her activation, preventing opponents from taking advantage and turning the tides in their favor. Additionally, operating with a suite of hexproof or shroud creatures makes it problematic for Diaochan’s controller to target key threats, thereby safeguarding your board presence against her divisive tactics.
Consequently, when confronting a deck that leverages Diaochan, Artful Beauty, it’s paramount to prioritize flexible removal, be adept at reading political nuances, and preserve creatures that are resilient to targeted abilities. These strategies will enhance your chances of neutering Diaochan’s influence and maintaining supremacy in the face of her artful manipulation.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Diaochan, Artful Beauty MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Magic Online 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 Diaochan, Artful Beauty and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Diaochan, Artful Beauty Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2015-11-18. Illustrated by Miao Aili.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 108 | 1997 | Normal | White | Miao Aili | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 47971 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Miao Aili | ||
| 3 | 2012-11-02 | Commander's Arsenal | CM1 | 5 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Miao Aili | |
| 4 | 2015-11-18 | Legendary Cube Prize Pack | PZ1 | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miao Aili |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Diaochan, Artful Beauty has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Predh | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Diaochan, Artful Beauty card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-20 | If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn. |