Energy Vortex MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Number | 64 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tom Wänerstrand |
Text of card
When you play Energy Vortex, choose target opponent. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove all energy counters from Energy Vortex. During chosen opponent's upkeep, he or she pays o1 for each energy counter on Energy Vortex, or it deals 3 damage to him or her. oo X Put X energy counters on Energy Vortex. Use this ability only during your upkeep.
Cards like Energy Vortex
Energy Vortex is a unique enchantment in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering an intriguing control strategy. It bears some comparison to cards like Propaganda, where taxing opponents plays a key role. Propaganda requires your opponents to pay mana if they decide to attack you, similar to how Energy Vortex forces a mana expenditure to keep creatures on the battlefield.
Glowrider and Thalia, Guardian of Thraben also fall into the similar territory, by making your opponents’ spells more expensive to cast. Where Energy Vortex diverges is its focus on creature sustainability rather than increasing casting cost. While both Glowrider and Thalia impact the game from the moment they enter the battlefield, Energy Vortex offers a more persistent obstacle over time, potentially disrupting your adversaries’ mana curve and strategy.
In essence, Energy Vortex necessitates a prolonged mana commitment from your opponents, setting it apart from other taxation effects in MTG. It is this ability to continually strain opponents’ resources that positions Energy Vortex as a card with a potent and unique approach to controlling the pace and playability of the game.
Cards similar to Energy Vortex by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Energy Vortex presents control deck users with the opportunity to dominate the tempo of the game. By putting the opponent under constant pressure to pay mana or lose their precious life points, this card effectively disrupts their strategy, providing you with a significant advantage as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Although Energy Vortex doesn’t directly generate mana or ramp, its ability to tie up the opponent’s resources can act as a form of indirect acceleration. While your opponent is busy allocating mana to satisfy the Vortex’s demands, you are free to deploy your threats and advance your board state unimpeded.
Instant Speed: While Energy Vortex itself is an enchantment that operates at sorcery speed, its perpetual effect can allow for more strategic gameplay akin to instant-speed interactions. It serves as a constant reminder for the opponent that any untapped lands when passing the turn could translate into an unavoidable life loss, thereby influencing the pace and decisions of the game even when it’s not your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This card necessitates the player to discard a card for each upkeep which can be detrimental when options in hand are already scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: Energy Vortex demands a precise combination of blue mana, potentially restricting its inclusion exclusively within blue-focused or compatible multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value on the higher side, Energy Vortex’s effectiveness is at times eclipsed by other cards that can hinder the opponent at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Energy Vortex adds a unique dynamic to control decks, providing a repeatable source of disruption that can address various battlefield situations. Its ability to drain opponents’ resources each turn makes it a flexible threat in a long game.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Energy Vortex can be part of game-ending combos. Utilizing cards that untap lands or generate additional mana can amplify the effect of Energy Vortex, leading to a significant advantage over your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with decks that rely on a stable mana base, Energy Vortex can severely disrupt your opponents’ strategies. Its consistent pressure ensures that it remains relevant, challenging opponents to find quick solutions or succumb to its energy-draining capability.
How to beat
Energy Vortex is a unique enchantment in the world of Magic: The Gathering that poses a strategic challenge. To effectively navigate against it, players must employ smart mana management and evaluate the ramifications of life point payments. Counteracting this card’s abilities demands a nuanced understanding of when to pay the upkeep cost and when to let go of permanents.
Creative deck building can also tip the scales in your favor when dealing with Energy Vortex. Integrating cards that can remove enchantments or deny their activation gives players a fighting chance. Think of enchantment destruction spells or even cards that redirect or neutralize the effects of others. Timing is crucial, as one must decide whether to address the Vortex immediately or allow its cost-draining effect to enact pressure on your opponent first.
Ultimately, overcoming Energy Vortex hinges on maintaining a balance between resource expenditure and life preservation, ensuring that your strategy can adapt to the ebb and flow of this controlling power card. Successful players will recognize the importance of these decisions and prepare accordingly, paving the way to victory even in the vortex’s formidable presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Energy Vortex MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Vortex 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Energy Vortex 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 Energy Vortex 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 | Does a flat 3 damage, not 3 damage per counter. |