Epistolary Librarian MTG Card


Epistolary Librarian offers continuous card draw, giving players a significant resource edge in games. Boosts resource acceleration with tome counters, allowing earlier access to powerful game-changing spells. Can be played at instant speed, offering strategic versatility and keeping opponents on their toes.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Astartes Wizard
Abilities Veil of Time
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

Veil of Time — Whenever Epistolary Librarian attacks, you may cast a spell with mana value X or less from your hand without paying its mana cost, where X is the number of attacking creatures.

"Bolters? Chainswords? All fine weapons, however I wield a far more dangerous power."


Cards like Epistolary Librarian

Epistolary Librarian marks a notable entry into the pantheon of creature cards within Magic the Gathering. In terms of functionality, it draws an interesting parallel to Archivist, a creature with the ability to tap for card draw. The Epistolary Librarian, though, steps up the game by allowing you to seek for a specific card type when it taps, giving you filtration capabilities alongside the card draw mechanism.

Sage of Lat-Nam presents another analogous choice, offering card draw with the additional cost of sacrificing an artifact. While it doesn’t provide the selection control of the Librarian, it is a viable alternative in artifact-friendly decks seeking to churn through the deck. Then there’s Sea Gate Loremaster, flying the banner for the allies, with the potential to draw a myriad of cards depending on the number of allies in play. The lore master, however, hinges on a more synergetic board presence, unlike the solitary strength of the Librarian.

Assessing the landscape of creature-based card advantage in Magic the Gathering, Epistolary Librarian injects flexibility and selectiveness that are invaluable in decks that seek to maintain a steady flow of the right cards.

Archivist - MTG Card versions
Sage of Lat-Nam - MTG Card versions
Sea Gate Loremaster - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Sage of Lat-Nam - MTG Card versions
Sea Gate Loremaster - MTG Card versions

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Kangee, Aerie Keeper - MTG Card versions
Sawtooth Loon - MTG Card versions
Mirror Wall - MTG Card versions
Brago, King Eternal - MTG Card versions
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV - MTG Card versions
Thistledown Liege - MTG Card versions
Swans of Bryn Argoll - MTG Card versions
Skymark Roc - MTG Card versions
Hussar Patrol - MTG Card versions
Ascended Lawmage - MTG Card versions
Thunderclap Wyvern - MTG Card versions
Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker - MTG Card versions
Taigam, Ojutai Master - MTG Card versions
Raff Capashen, Ship's Mage - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Epistolary Librarian plays a key role in garnering card advantage. By granting you the ability to peek at the top two cards of your library, you not only gain valuable information but also get to draw an additional card each turn. This continuous influx of cards is a potent means to outpace your opponent in resources, a strategy that is particularly effective in longer, drawn-out matches where every card drawn can tip the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Another noteworthy aspect of this card is its potential for resource acceleration. Each tome counter placed on Epistolary Librarian is a step towards unlocking a treasure trove of spells and abilities. Imagine the satisfaction of reaching that crucial fifth counter, opening the doorway to an awe-inspiring instant or sorcery from your library—this is magic acceleration at its finest, giving you access to powerful game-changers ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: Equally impressive is its capacity for action at instant speed. This opens up a variety of strategic plays, allowing you to adapt to the shifting tides of the game. You have the freedom to deploy the Librarian on your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana untapped and options open. Whether it’s to drop a surprise blocker or simply to maintain the upper hand, having the Librarian enter the fray at instant speed ensures that your opponents are always kept guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Epistolary Librarian requires the player to part with a card from their hand which can set them back, especially if they’re already facing hand depletion against an opponent with a strategy to force discards.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this creature commands a specific combination of mana colors, potentially restricting it to decks that can produce both required types, potentially hampering its flexibility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana, players could consider alternatives that provide card advantage or board presence more economically, making Epistolary Librarian a costlier option for the effect it offers.


Reasons to Include Epistolary Librarian in Your Collection

Versatility: Epistolary Librarian offers flexibility to players, featuring a well-rounded profile suitable for deck archetypes that value knowledge and control. With its capacity to generate card advantage while interacting with opponents’ strategies, it’s a card that can adapt to various situations on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique abilities can synergize with decks focused on spell casting or leveraging library manipulation. It fosters powerful combinations with cards that benefit from drawing or revealing cards, thereby bolstering your tactical approach.

Meta-Relevance: Given a meta that prioritizes strategic depth and foresight, Epistolary Librarian becomes an invaluable asset. It can disrupt opponents’ plans while ensuring you stay ahead by judiciously managing your resources and strategic options.


How to beat

Epistolary Librarian presents a challenge for players due to its unique ability to draw and potentially play additional cards from the library. To effectively counteract this MTG card, players should consider strategies that limit the opponent’s hand or directly remove the Librarian from the battlefield. One method is to use removal spells that can take out creatures irrespective of their size, such as Murder or Doom Blade. This ensures that even if the Librarian has grown due to its ability, it can be dealt with swiftly.

Another key strategy is disrupting the opponent’s library and hand, using cards like Thoughtseize or Mind Rot, which can force your opponent to discard key cards and derail their plan. Hand disruption can effectively negate the card advantage that Epistolary Librarian aims to provide. It is also worthwhile to manage how many spells you play in a turn, as the Librarian’s strength lies within the number of spells the opponent has cast each turn. Controlling the pace of play diminishes the power of the Epistolary Librarian, giving players a more manageable game state to navigate through.

Tackling the Epistolary Librarian requires precise timing and the right removal or disruption tools. By incorporating such measures in one’s deck, it becomes possible to minimize or negate the advantages this MTG card brings to the table.


BurnMana Recommendations

Bringing Epistolary Librarian into your MTG lineup could be your next strategic coup, offering card draw and the allure of powerful spells just over the horizon. As you weigh its pros and cons, consider the implications it has for your deck’s dynamics, potentially scripting an epic tale of victory. For those intrigued by the card’s unique capabilities and looking to optimize their deck’s performance, the journey need not end here. Let us guide you further into the world where knowledge is power and card advantage can set the stage for triumph. Dive deeper with us and make each draw, each play, a step towards your next celebrated win.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Epistolary Librarian MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Epistolary Librarian and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Epistolary Librarian Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Games Workshop.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1182015NormalBlackGames Workshop
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 118★2015NormalBlackGames Workshop

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Epistolary Librarian has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Epistolary Librarian card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-10-07 In Two-Headed giant and other formats where multiple players can attack at the same time, Epistolary Librarian’s triggered ability counts all attacking creatures, even those controlled by other players.