Infinite Hourglass MTG Card

Improves hand options by replenishing cards, facilitating strategic MTG play. Enables earlier threat deployment and complex plays with smoother mana production. Offers flexibility and a surprise element during play with its instant speed capability.

Ice Age (ICE)
1995-06-03 - Number 323

Infinite Hourglass - Fifth Edition (5ED)

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 378

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact

Text of card

During your upkeep, put a time counter on Infinite Hourglass. During any upkeep, any player may pay o3 to remove a time counter from Infinite Hourglass. All creatures get +1/+0 for each time counter on Infinite Hourglass.

Cards like Infinite Hourglass

Infinite Hourglass is an intriguing artifact that stands out within the family of mana manipulation cards in Magic: The Gathering. A card with a similar function is Everflowing Chalice, which also offers scalable mana acceleration. However, Infinite Hourglass distinctively grants a temporary mana boost at every upkeep, beneficial yet fleeting, unlike the permanent mana increase provided by Everflowing Chalice.

Another card that echoes the essence of Infinite Hourglass is the well-known Mana Flare. This enchantment doubles the mana produced by lands. Whilst offering a substantial increase in resources, it differs as its effect applies to all players, not just the caster, which can be a double-edged sword in gameplay.

Crystal Vein also warrants comparison here. As a land, it sacrifices for two colorless mana – a one-off effect but without the “at upkeep” restriction of Infinite Hourglass. The utilitarian aspect of Crystal Vein offers strategic flexibility, contrary to the rhythmic predictability of Infinite Hourglass.

In assessing the strategic applications of Infinite Hourglass against other mana-centric cards, it becomes clear that its unique blend of temporal resource advantage and timing precision gives it a special place in any deck focusing on pacing and resource maintenance.

Cards similar to Infinite Hourglass by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Infinite Hourglass is a handy tool to add to any player’s arsenal if they’re looking to keep their hand replenished. This artifact enables you to structure your play strategically by ensuring that you aren’t falling behind in the quantity of options available to you each turn.

Resource Acceleration: One of the upper hands this card can give you is the acceleration of your resources. By smoothing out mana production, Infinite Hourglass aids in deploying your threats earlier or allowing for more complex plays to be executed ahead of schedule, a critical element for staying ahead in the game.

Instant Speed: The real beauty of Infinite Hourglass comes into play with its functionality at instant speed. Not only does this provide a surprise factor against opponents, but it also offers flexibility in responding to threats or optimizing your end-of-turn tactics. This adaptability can be the difference-maker between a win and a loss on the MTG battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Infinite Hourglass requires discarding a card to avoid rotating it out of your deck during your cleanup step. This can squeeze your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: Infinite Hourglass comes with a setup cost that demands a combination of colorless and red mana, potentially clashing with decks that aren’t optimized for this specific requirement or that operate on a tighter mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost requiring three mana (two generic and one red), the Infinite Hourglass may not be the swiftest choice in games where tempo matters. Players could find other artifacts or spells that fit their curve better while offering more immediate benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Infinite Hourglass is a unique artifact that offers a consistent way to adjust power levels across the board, a feature that can easily harmonize with varied deck types. Its ability to scale with the game’s progression allows for strategic plays at every turn.

Combo Potential: With an effect that can incrementally alter the stats of all creatures, Infinite Hourglass pairs well with strategies accentuating counter synergies or those that exploit power fluctuations—combining it with effects that ‘freeze’ counters can lock in advantages for a calculated win.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature interactions are pivotal, Infinite Hourglass can serve as a multifaceted tool, subtly tipping the balance in your favor. It’s especially potent in environments where turning small creatures into threats or deterring opponent attacks with potential power increases can shift the outcomes of games.

How to beat

Infinite Hourglass can be a formidable card to face in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to adjust the flow of the game by accruing time counters and boosting creatures accordingly makes it a unique threat on the battlefield. However, this strength can also be its downfall. Efficient artifact removal spells are the key to dismantling the Hourglass’s influence. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize offer simple solutions by targeting and destroying the artifact directly, halting its time-altering effects in their tracks.

Another tactic is to play aggressively early in the game before the Hourglass can accumulate a significant number of counters. This puts pressure on your opponent and limits the time they have to leverage the Hourglass’s power boost. Furthermore, counter magic is also effective, with spells like Negate ready to prevent the Hourglass from hitting the field altogether. By staying one step ahead and neutralizing the Infinite Hourglass before it warps the game too much, you can maintain control and tip the scales in your favor.

Maintaining vigilance for key moments to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is essential when contending with cards like Infinite Hourglass. Identifying and exploiting these opportunities is what distinguishes proficient players in the dynamic world of Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Infinite Hourglass 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 Infinite Hourglass and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Infinite Hourglass Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1995-06-03	Ice Age	ICE		323	1993	Normal	Black	Harold McNeill
2	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED		378	1997	Normal	White	Adam Rex

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Infinite Hourglass has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal