Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders MTG Card

Invasion of Arcavios provides substantial card advantage and can swiftly turn the tide of a game. The card’s adaptability makes it a versatile addition to various MTG decks. Awareness of its cons is crucial—strategic deck-building can mitigate drawbacks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeBattle — Siege
Abilities Transform

Text of card

(As a Siege enters, choose an opponent to protect it. You and others can attack it. When it's defeated, exile it, then cast it transformed.) When Invasion of Arcavios enters the battlefield, search your library, graveyard, and/or outside the game for an instant or sorcery card you own, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you search your library this way, shuffle.

Cards like Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders

Invasion of Arcavios is an intriguing addition to the suite of versatile cards in Magic: The Gathering, standing out particularly for its unique dual-faced nature. As a parallel, Time Warp allows for an additional turn much like the back side of Invasion of Arcavios, however, without the upfront card advantage that Invasion provides. Conversely, Time Warp is solely focused on taking an extra turn, which makes it a more straightforward and less flexible option.

Examining another counterpart, Expropriate is comparable for its potential game-altering extra turns. Although Expropriate comes with a demanding mana cost and provides choices to opponents, unlike the tailored strategy Invasion of Arcavios offers, which could lead to a more predictable outcome in your favor. Reflecting on modal double-faced cards, something like Fire // Ice presents flexibility but not to the extent of providing such dramatically different outcomes, one side affecting board state and the other furthering game strategy.

Ultimately, Invasion of Arcavios finds its distinct niche among MTG spells that alter the progression of turns. It supplies card advantage on one side and a strategic leap forward on the other, marking itself as a multifaceted gem within MTG’s vast library of cards.

Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Expropriate - MTG Card versions
Fire // Ice - MTG Card versions
Time Warp - MTG Card versions
Expropriate - MTG Card versions
Fire // Ice - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Invasion of Arcavios offers players a unique twist on card advantage. When played, this spell allows you to potentially overwhelm your opponent by accessing a slew of unexpected options from among the top seven cards of your library, setting the stage for strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: The second half of the card, known as Augmenter Pugilist, can act as a powerful accelerator for your resources. It turns into a formidable creature that, when its condition is met, doubles your land’s mana production, significantly ramping up your capacity to cast high-cost spells rapidly.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast spells at instant speed like Invasion of Arcavios can be a game-changing advantage. It enables reactive play, allowing you to adapt to the unfolding match, casting it when it’s most advantageous or when your opponent least expects it, all while keeping your strategic options flexible during the heat of the battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Invasion of Arcavios requires a player to discard a card, which could diminish your hand strength, especially if your deck is not built to leverage discard strategies or graveyard synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of this spell demands a combination of different mana colors, which can make it challenging to play in decks that don’t support such a mana base or in a match where mana fixing is compromised.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a notable investment of mana, the Invasion of Arcavios card might be less appealing when you consider alternative spells or creatures that can be played sooner and impact the board immediately without depleting your hand.

Reasons to Include Invasion of Arcavios in Your Collection

Versatility: Invasion of Arcavios slots into a diverse array of decks with its dual-faced nature, offering strategic flexibility whether your game plan revolves around instant-speed tricks or setting up for a powerful next turn.

Combo Potential: This card showcases excellent synergy, particularly in decks capitalizing on spell-slinging or those that can manipulate the top of the library for consistent utility and advantage.

Meta-Relevance: With a game environment that ever shifts and turns, having a card with adaptability like Invasion of Arcavios can be key in staying ahead, matching well against decks that seek to either speed up the game or draw it out.

How to beat

The Invasion of Arcavios stands as a formidable MTG card that challenges players to think creatively in combat. This complex scenario sets up a trial where opponents must overcome a series of obstacles. Engaging with this card requires both strategic depth and a keen awareness of the game’s mechanics. Players often find success in circumventing the proverbial invasion by leveraging removal spells or using enchantment destruction cards that specifically dismantle complex board states. In addition, card advantage and precise timing play crucial roles.

Recuperating from the card’s effect involves careful resource management, ensuring that the counteractive measures you take both negate the immediate threat and provide a long-term solution to any residual complications. It is possible to rebound from the impacts of Invasion of Arcavios, but it involves planning, adaptability, and sometimes a bit of patience to outlast the strategic demands this card represents.

Ultimately, players who predict the potential onslaught and pre-emptively counter the impending invasion often find themselves in a position of strength. Play your cards wisely, maintain control, and remember that the best way to beat a strategic challenge is by being one step ahead.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Promos and March of the Machine Art Series, 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 Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Dmitry Burmak.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-04-21March of the Machine PromosPMOM 61s2015TransformBlackDmitry Burmak
22023-04-21March of the Machine Art SeriesAMOM 112015Art seriesBorderlessDmitry Burmak
32023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 612015TransformBlackDmitry Burmak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Invasion of Arcavios // Invocation of the Founders has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-04-14 A Siege’s controller can’t be its protector. If a Siege’s protector ever gains control of it, they choose a new player to be its protector. This is a state-based action.
2023-04-14 A battle can be attacked by all players other than its protector. Notably, this means a Siege’s controller can attack it.
2023-04-14 A battle can be dealt damage and be target of spells and/or abilities that target “any target.”
2023-04-14 A battle’s “defense” is displayed in the bottom right corner of the card. A battle enters the battlefield with that number of defense counters. If another permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a battle, it also enters with that number of defense counters.
2023-04-14 A copy of a spell is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.
2023-04-14 As a Siege enters the battlefield, its controller chooses an opponent to be its protector.
2023-04-14 Battles can’t attack or block, even if one also becomes a creature. If an attacking or blocking creature somehow becomes a battle in addition to being a creature, it is removed from combat.
2023-04-14 Damage dealt to a battle causes that many defense counters to be removed from it.
2023-04-14 If a Siege never had defense counters on it (perhaps because a permanent became a copy of one), it can’t have its last defense counter removed. It will be put into its owner’s graveyard. You won’t exile it or cast the other face.
2023-04-14 If a battle has no defense counters, and it isn’t the source of a triggered ability that has triggered but not yet left the stack, that battle is put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action. This doesn’t cause a Siege’s intrinsic triggered ability to trigger.
2023-04-14 If a battle that’s being attacked somehow stops being a battle, it is removed from combat. Similarly, if its controller changes in the middle of combat, it is removed from combat.
2023-04-14 If a non-battle permanent that is already on the battlefield become a copy of a Siege, its controller chooses one of their opponents to be that battle’s protector. However, it will most likely be put into its owner’s graveyard because it has no defense counters (see below).
2023-04-14 If a permanent that is represented by a transforming double-faced card becomes a copy of a Siege, it will be exiled as that Siege’s triggered ability resolves, then it will be cast transformed. Note that this applies only to transforming double-faced cards, not to modal double-faced cards that can normally be played using either face.
2023-04-14 If a token or a card that isn’t represented by a transforming double-faced card becomes a copy of a Siege, it can’t be cast as its triggered ability resolves. It will remain in exile. If it’s a token, it will cease to exist the next time state-based actions are performed.
2023-04-14 If the spell has damage divided as it was cast, the division can’t be changed (although the targets receiving that damage still can). The same is true of spells that distribute counters.
2023-04-14 If the spell that’s copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast, the copy will have the same value of X.
2023-04-14 If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it includes a choice from a bulleted list of effects), the copy will have the same mode. A different mode can’t be chosen.
2023-04-14 If you copy a spell, you control the copy. It will resolve before the original spell does.
2023-04-14 In a casual game, a card you choose from outside the game comes from your personal collection. In a tournament event, a card you choose from outside the game comes from your sideboard. You may look at your sideboard at any time.
2023-04-14 In a multiplayer game, if the protector of a battle leaves the game and that battle is not currently being attacked, its controller chooses a new protector for it as a state-based action. If it is being attacked, its controller chooses a new protector for it once no creatures are attacking it. This means that it continues to be attacked and can be dealt combat damage as normal.
2023-04-14 Only creatures controlled by a battle’s protector can block creatures that are attacking that battle. This means a Siege’s controller can never assign creatures to block for it.
2023-04-14 Sieges each have an intrinsic triggered ability. That ability is “When the last defense counter is removed from this permanent, exile it, then you may cast it transformed without paying its mana cost.”
2023-04-14 The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
2023-04-14 You can’t choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy.
2023-04-14 You don’t have to declare up front where you’re going to search. You may search your library, pause, sigh, check out your graveyard, frown meaningfully at your opponent, then finally grab a game-winning sorcery card from your sideboard. Bit dramatic though.