Etched Oracle MTG Card
2004-06-04 - Number 121
2009-09-04 - Number 113
2013-06-07 - Number 206
2015-05-22 - Number 211
2016-11-11 - Number 252
2019-11-07 - Number 1580
2020-09-26 - Number C16-252
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Wizard |
| Abilities | Sunburst |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Sunburst (This comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it for each color of mana used to pay its cost.) , Remove four +1/+1 counters from Etched Oracle: Target player draws three cards.
Cards like Etched Oracle
Etched Oracle stands as a unique multifunctional artifact creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives include the likes of Trinket Mage and Trophy Mage among artifact-seeking creatures. What sets Etched Oracle apart is its Sunburst ability, allowing it to enter the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the colors of mana spent to cast it, reflecting a true mastery of color mana utilization.
Meanwhile, creatures like Pentad Prism harness the Sunburst ability for mana acceleration rather than bolstering their own presence on the battlefield. When comparing their utility, Etched Oracle provides a direct card-advantage mechanism, where you can remove four +1/+1 counters from it to draw three cards. This is a distinct contrast to the Pentad Prism that serves more as a one-time mana ramp tool. Unlike the static singular purpose artifacts, Etched Oracle’s versatility in a multi-color deck can be a game-changer with its chameleon-like adaptation and potential card replenishment.
Hello readers, in the end, Etched Oracle merits attention within its niche for the clever design that leverages both color diversity and strategic card draw, offering a unique dynamic in deck-building strategies and gameplay fluidity.
Cards similar to Etched Oracle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Etched Oracle gives players a mechanism to transform its counters into card draw, effectively turning a creature on the board into potential new options in hand. This flexibility offers a significant boost during longer battles where card flow is crucial.
Resource Acceleration: While Etched Oracle itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its four-color identity can potentially be leveraged in multicolor decks that benefit from domain or converge mechanics, making it a versatile piece in complex mana bases.
Instant Speed: One of Etched Oracle’s strengths is its ability to use its card draw ability at instant speed. This allows savvy players to wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to convert its counters, preserving the element of surprise and ensuring that they make the best use of their mana each round.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With Etched Oracle, you need to remove four +1/+1 counters to draw three cards. This can be restrictive since it necessitates having sufficient counters, which means you might sacrifice key plays or delay card drawing until the right time arises.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Etched Oracle requires a diverse mana base—four mana of any color but at least one of each from the four different colors. This makes it a challenging fit except for multicolored decks that can reliably produce the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment in Etched Oracle is sizeable, considering that a four-mana creature must compete with impactful cards at the same cost. Even with its potential to become a sizable threat, the oracle is at odds against faster, more immediately impactful plays in the game.
Reasons to Include Etched Oracle in Your Collection
Versatility: Etched Oracle is a card that seamlessly adapts to numerous deck builds, particularly those that require a flexible mana curve or benefit from artifact synergy. Its Sunburst ability allows it to enter the battlefield with a variable number of +1/+1 counters, making it a practical choice in multicolor decks.
Combo Potential: The Etched Oracle can enable a number of combos, especially with the ability to remove four +1/+1 counters to draw three cards. It synergizes with proliferate mechanics, counter manipulation, and strategies that capitalize on card draw — turning an unassuming artifact creature into a formidable combo enabler.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values card advantage and board presence, Etched Oracle can command respect. Moreover, artifact-centric strategies are recurrently prominent, indicating that this card could have enduring relevance as the game evolves and different decks move in and out of prominence.
How to beat
Etched Oracle poses an intriguing challenge on the battlefield. As a versatile artifact creature, it can be a formidable foe in MTG due to its capacity to draw cards by removing four +1/+1 counters from it. The Oracle’s strength lies in this card advantage mechanism, which can sustain a player’s resources in the mid to late game.
To effectively counter Etched Oracle, consider strategies that inhibit the accumulation or use of +1/+1 counters. Cards that restrict counter placement, such as Solemnity, can stifle the Oracle’s potential. Likewise, immediate removal spells like Path to Exile or Dismember bypass the need to deal with its counters altogether, efficiently removing the Oracle from play before it can leverage its card draw ability. Artifact destruction spells like Shatter or disenchant effects can also prove invaluable against the Oracle, eliminating it as a threat the moment it arrives.
Ultimately, understanding the timing and choosing the right removal or preventative measures can neutralize Etched Oracle effectively. By prioritizing this, you can limit your opponent’s card advantage and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Etched Oracle MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Planechase, 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 Etched Oracle 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
Printings
The Etched Oracle Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-06-04 | Fifth Dawn | 5DN | 121 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 2 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 113 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 3 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 206 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 4 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 211 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 5 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 252 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 6 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1580 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | C16-252 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Etched Oracle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |