Energy Refractor MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Artifact |
Released | 2022-11-18 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | The Brothers' War |
Set code | BRO |
Number | 234 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Maria Poliakova |
Text of card
When Energy Refractor enters the battlefield, draw a card. : Add one mana of any color.
"Raw energy contains infinite possibility." —Urza
Cards like Energy Refractor
Energy Refractor is a novel addition to the battlegrounds of Magic: The Gathering, offering a versatile twist on mana generation. When looking at its kin, the Chromatic Lantern stands out. Both cards allow for mana of any color to be tapped, but the Lantern also extends this ability to all other lands you control, potentially granting a broader utility across your entire mana base.
On the other side of the spectrum, we encounter the Prismatic Geoscope. Like Energy Refractor, it banks on diversity, providing one mana of any color for each type of land you have in play. Where these two diverge is in their scalability – Energy Refractor can scale up as the game progresses, whereas Prismatic Geoscope offers a sizable, yet fixed, mana boost.
Another parallel can be drawn with Manalith, which also taps for one mana of any color. However, Energy Refractor edges it out with additional benefits that can steer the game in your favor. Observing the subtle intricacies and advantages that Energy Refractor brings to the table, it’s clear it can be a key card in decks that value flexible mana sources and incremental advantages.
Cards similar to Energy Refractor by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Energy Refractor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ephemerate Tron | Pauper | Ephemerate Tron | Pauper League 2024-04-19 | |
Tron | Pauper | Tron | Pauper League 2024-04-21 | |
Altar Tron | Pauper | Tron | 5° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana | |
Flicker Tron | Pauper | Ephemerate Tron | 5° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana | |
UBG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-19 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Energy Refractor has a unique ability to filter through your deck, effectively smoothing out your draws and potentially granting you access to your key pieces sooner. This translucid device shines by bridging the gap between your current hand and the tools you need to outmaneuver opponents.
Resource Acceleration: One of the core strengths of Energy Refractor lies in its capacity to ramp up your resources swiftly. Its synergy with energy counters not only propels your game but also unlocks the full potential of energy-dependant mechanics, giving you a decisive boost in both tempo and options.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is the name of the game, and Energy Refractor excels by operating at instant speed. This quality allows strategic players to adapt on the fly, making it possible to respond to opponents’ actions with precision or simply capitalize on unspent mana at the end of their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect that may deter players from including Energy Refractor in their decks is the discard requirement. Having to part with another card from your hand can be counterproductive, especially in situations where your hand size is critical to your game plan or when each card held has a pivotal role.
Specific Mana Cost: Energy Refractor demands a precise mana color for its activation, which could potentially complicate its integration into multi-colored decks. This requirement can limit flexibility and force players to make adjustments to their mana base, which might not always align with their overall deck strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to cast Energy Refractor may be considered steep when evaluating the overall mana efficiency. In decks where tempo plays a crucial role, the mana invested in playing Energy Refractor could be seen as a significant commitment, potentially slowing down the player’s momentum or hindering the development of their board state.
Reasons to Include Energy Refractor in Your Collection
Versatility: Energy Refractor has the ability to seamlessly integrate into decks that capitalize on energy counters or need color fixing. Its ability to provide any color of mana for energy counter expenditure makes it a flexible addition to many archetypes.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with energy-centric cards or abilities, offering the potential for explosive turns where mana otherwise unavailable suddenly becomes accessible. It serves as an engine part in intricate combos, pushing the envelope of what’s possible on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating meta where energy strategies might rise to prominence, Energy Refractor is a preemptive investment that could become a staple in powerful, synergistic decks harnessing the mechanic. It ensures your deck remains adaptable and combat-ready against various opposing strategies.
How to beat
The Energy Refractor card brings a unique dynamic to MTG gameplay. Its ability to filter and store energy counters can set the stage for commanding plays later in the game. To thwart this, focusing on removal or negating abilities is essential. Quick removal spells can eliminate the Refractor before it becomes a central threat. Alternatively, countering the card when it’s cast can prevent its abilities from being activated altogether. Strategies should revolve around keeping the battlefield clear of cards that synergize with energy counters, as the Refractor can snowball if left unchecked. Additionally, cards that restrict or drain energy counters can be a bane to this artifact’s efficacy, so consider incorporating them into your deck. Proper timing and a good understanding of how your opponent may utilize Energy Refractor can save you from its potentially game-shifting effects.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Energy Refractor MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Energy Refractor and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Energy Refractor has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |