Eidolon of Philosophy MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment Creature — Spirit |
| Released | 2020-01-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros Beyond Death |
| Set code | THB |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 48 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Adam Paquette |
Text of card
, Sacrifice Eidolon of Philosophy: Draw three cards.
"And what did Erekastos teach us is the nature of the soul?"
Cards like Eidolon of Philosophy
Eidolon of Philosophy is an enchantment creature card that offers a unique twist on card draw mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. It draws comparisons to other card advantage assets like Sage of Mysteries, which also revolves around having a certain amount of cards in hand. While Eidolon demands seven cards in hand to be sacrificed for three fresh draws, Sage of Mysteries foregoes the drawing mechanism for a self-mill strategy that fuels escape and other graveyard synergies.
Another card reminiscent of Eidolon is Omen of the Sea, an enchantment featuring a “draw then scry” mechanic. Unlike Eidolon which requires a larger hand to get its effect, Omen gives you the card advantage right away although just two cards for its cost. Accumulated Knowledge is a an alternative that gains potency with every copy residing in your graveyard, offering incremental benefits over time without a hand size prerequisite.
By evaluating Eidolon of Philosophy alongside its peers, it’s evident that its value is situational, greatly rewarding players who can accumulate a substantial hand size. It’s a strategic piece that fits well in decks where maintaining card advantage is pivotal.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Eidolon of Philosophy excels in providing a steady flow of card draw. Sacrificing it late game can offer a significant boost by drawing three cards, helping you find key pieces and maintain momentum.
Resource Acceleration: Although this creature itself doesn’t ramp up your mana resources directly, by facilitating card draw, it enhances your chances of hitting land drops consistently or finding spells that accelerate your resources.
Instant Speed: While Eidolon of Philosophy is not an instant, its sacrifice ability can be activated at instant speed. This versatility allows you to adapt to the board state and utilize your mana efficiently, getting the most out of your turn and potentially outpacing opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Eidolon of Philosophy necessitates the sacrifice of the card itself to utilize its draw ability. For MTG players, this means potentially losing a blocker or an enchantment synergy piece on the board, which could be tactically detrimental depending on the deck strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With its mana cost being explicitly blue, this card can cause a bit of a hurdle for decks that aren’t heavily invested in blue mana or multicolored mana bases. It’s not just about having the mana but also about having the right color at the right time, which can restrict the card’s playability across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, this creature’s ability to draw three cards is gated behind its own sacrifice, which can be a steep price considering other options available in the game. There are creatures and spells that offer card draw at a lower cost or without the need to remove a creature from play, making them potentially more efficient choices in decks looking to maintain board presence while refilling their hand.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Eidolon of Philosophy serves as a low-cost card draw engine that can be slipped into various blue-based decks. It’s ability to be an early blocker or a late-game card draw mechanism gives it a flexible role on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: When you’ve amassed enough mana, Eidolon of Philosophy can be sacrificed to draw three cards, potentially fueling graveyard-based strategies or enabling combos by digging deeper into your deck for key components.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where long games and card advantage make the difference, this enchantment creature can offer consistent value over time, making it a relevant addition if the meta favors drawn-out matches and incremental gains.
How to beat
Eidolon of Philosophy is an intriguing card in MTG with its aura of simplicity and potential card draw power. Sitting at just one blue mana for an enchantment creature, it offers the ability to draw three cards later in the game by sacrificing it and paying three more mana. This can represent a strategic advantage for players seeking to replenish their hand. However, this card can be easily disrupted. Removal spells are a straightforward method to mitigate its impact. Spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can swiftly dispatch Eidolon of Philosophy well before its owner can utilize its drawing ability.
Counterspells also play a crucial role. Should you anticipate your opponent seeking to bank on the Eidolon’s card draw, keeping countermagic at the ready ensures you can prevent the card advantage before it’s too late. It’s essential to note, a timely removal of Eidolon of Philosophy not only denies your opponent card draw but can contribute to material and tempo advantage on your side of the board.
Effective resource management and strategic spell casting can neutralize Eidolon of Philosophy, turning it from a potential game-changer into a negligible threat. Therefore, understanding the ideal timing and keeping your answers lined up are the keys to mastering matches against this card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Eidolon of Philosophy MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Eidolon of Philosophy 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Eidolon of Philosophy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |