Pentagram of the Ages MTG Card

Ice Age (ICE)
1995-06-03 - Number 332

Pentagram of the Ages - Fifth Edition (5ED)

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 394

Pentagram of the Ages - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
1999-04-21 - Number 306

Pentagram of the Ages - Masters Edition IV (ME4)

Masters Edition IV (ME4)
2011-01-10 - Number 220

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Key Takeaways

Pentagram of the Ages provides repeatable defense at instant speed, adept at saving critical game pieces.
Its use is strategic, demanding careful hand management due to the discard requirement for activation.
While versatile, there are more cost-effective alternatives, assessing its role is crucial for deck inclusion.

Text of card

o4,oc T: Prevent all damage dealt to you from one source. Pentagram of the Ages does not prevent the same source damaging you again later this turn.

"Take this item, for instance. How would it destroy us, Relicbane?" —Arcum Dagsson, Soldevi Machinist

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Pentagram of the Ages does not directly allow a player to draw cards, it offers a unique type of advantage by providing reusable protection from damage. This can translate to preserving valuable creatures or even saving the player in tight situations, effectively negating potential card loss from opponent’s damaging spells or attacks.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration isn’t a direct function of Pentagram of the Ages, but its ability to safeguard key pieces on the board can indirectly assist in maintaining a solid presence without needing to expend additional cards for defense. This continuous protection can potentially save resources that would otherwise be required to rebuild a player’s board state after a setback.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Pentagram of the Ages at instant speed gives players flexibility to respond to threats immediately. This feature is crucial in outmaneuvering opponents since it allows for strategic timing, ensuring that the shield it provides can be raised in response to unexpected spells or surprise combat tricks during the opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Pentagram of the Ages requires a player to discard a card to activate its ability. This condition can be a hurdle, especially when a player’s hand is already depleted, or when every card in hand is crucial for upcoming strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: The artifact demands a specific mana combination to cast—four colorless mana—which can be challenging in a multi-colored deck that might prioritize other types of mana for more pivotal spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost of two colorless mana and the additional burden of discarding a card, the Pentagram of the Ages presents a significant investment for its damage prevention effect. Players might find alternative cards with lower costs or more impactful abilities that provide better value and utility within a game.

Reasons to Include Pentagram of the Ages in Your Collection

Versatility: Pentagram of the Ages is a flexible addition to many decks as a defensive artifact. It can be activated to prevent damage, which can be crucial in games where preserving life points is key. Its ability to fit into a variety of deck styles makes it a worthwhile inclusion for players valuing adaptability.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines when paired with cards that profit from activations or artifact synergies. Its ability to weave into intricate combos allows savvy players to exploit its defensive capabilities to outlast opponents or to use it as a sacrificial piece for greater effects.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where direct damage or aggressive strategies are prevalent, Pentagram of the Ages can play a pivotal role. It serves as a counterbalance to high-powered threats, giving control and mid-range decks an edge by protecting life totals and maintaining board stability.

How to Beat Pentagram of the Ages

Pentagram of the Ages is a unique artifact in the vast array of Magic the Gathering cards. This piece offers a defensive strategy, allowing players to shield themselves from damage with a four mana activation cost and the card’s initial four mana to enter the battlefield. Overcoming its defensive shield requires a blend of tactical play and the right card choices.

Strategic plays such as utilizing artifact removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize can effectively dismantle the pentagram’s protective charm. Also, countering its activation with cards like Stifle can prevent its ability from shielding the player at a critical moment. Players should push for a quick resolution considering the four mana commitment needed both to play and activate the card, which can be a strain on an opponent’s resources.

Timing is key when facing such a card. Forging an offense when an opponent is tapped out or after they’ve allocated mana elsewise ensures they can’t activate Pentagram of the Ages in time. By employing these tactics, players can neutralize the defensive prowess of Pentagram of the Ages, maintaining the upper hand in their duels.

Cards like Pentagram of the Ages

Pentagram of the Ages plays a protective role in any MTG player’s arsenal, offering a defensive option analogous to other cards in the game. It stands in terms of function next to the likes of Orbs of Warding, which also provides a safeguard against damage, albeit through hexproof and damage reduction abilities. While the Pentagram requires a player to pay four mana and sacrifice it to prevent damage from a single source, Orbs of Warding consistently diminishes harm from each source by one, without the sacrifice.

Another card to consider is Prismatic Strands. This card offers damage prevention from a color of your choice, affects multiple sources, and can be used from the graveyard, offering much more flexibility. However, Pentagram of the Ages doesn’t bind you to a specific color, potentially providing broader defense capabilities in a multi-colored deck.

Assessing their uses across various deck types and strategies, Pentagram of the Ages might not be as flexible or cost-efficient but offers a straightforward and sometimes necessary lifeline in a pinch, contributing to its niche role within the spectrum of MTG damage prevention cards.

Cards similar to Pentagram of the Ages by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pentagram of the Ages MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Pentagram of the Ages and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pentagram of the Ages Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Douglas Shuler.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1995-06-03	Ice Age	ICE	332	1993	Normal	Black	Douglas Shuler
2	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	394	1997	Normal	White	Douglas Shuler
3	1999-04-21	Classic Sixth Edition	6ED	306	1997	Normal	White	Douglas Shuler
4	2011-01-10	Masters Edition IV	ME4	220	1997	Normal	Black	Douglas Shuler