Ixalli's Diviner MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Druid |
| Abilities | Explore |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 192 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Lucas Graciano |
Text of card
When Ixalli's Diviner enters the battlefield, it explores. (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it's a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard.)
Cards like Ixalli's Diviner
Ixalli’s Diviner stands out as a notable creature in MTG with its enter-the-battlefield effect that reveals the top card of your library. If it’s a land card, the Diviner receives a +1/+1 counter. Explorers resembling this are often critical for ramp strategies. Comparable cards include ‘Jadelight Ranger’, which explores twice upon entering and has the potential to grow into a more significant threat if lands are revealed but comes at a higher mana cost.
Another peer in this exploration role is ‘Merfolk Branchwalker’. Just like Ixalli’s Diviner, it has the same mana cost and explores upon entering the battlefield. However, the Branchwalker starts as a slightly stronger creature with 2 power compared to the Diviner’s 0 power, although lacking the reach ability which can give Ixalli’s Diviner an edged advantage against flying creatures.
Drawing parallels, ‘Path of Discovery’ deserves a mention. Not a creature, but an enchantment that allows all your creatures to explore upon entering the battlefield. While it doesn’t offer the individual creature a counter or potential card draw inherently, it repeatedly provides value with each creature played.
In the landscape of exploration, Ixalli’s Diviner remains an intriguing option especially for decks that aim to manipulate the top card of their library for consistent land drops or seeking a defensive option against flyers while still benefiting from the explore mechanic.
Cards similar to Ixalli's Diviner by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ixalli’s Diviner helps you maintain card flow by exploring upon entering the battlefield. This action potentially draws you a land card, thereby ensuring you don’t miss a land drop or puts a +1/+1 counter on the card, which can pave the way to a stronger board presence. These scenarios help to keep your hand filled with usable resources.
Resource Acceleration: The explore mechanic of Ixalli’s Diviner can aid in resource acceleration by digging through the top card of your library. Should you reveal a land card, it puts you one step closer to playing your pivotal spells sooner, giving you an edge over your opponent in the mana curve.
Instant Speed: While Ixalli’s Diviner does not operate at instant speed, the strategic decision to play it can complement instant speed plays. By potentially drawing you into more options or developing your mana resources, it bolsters your capability to utilize instant speed interactions on subsequent turns effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Carrying a caveat, Ixalli’s Diviner necessitates discarding a card to trigger its explore mechanic. For players grappling with a scant hand, this could deplete valuable resources, potentially cornering them into difficult gameplay decisions.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost includes green mana, which may pose a challenge for non-green decks to incorporate. Players piloting decks outside of the green color identity might find Ixalli’s Diviner less appealing due to the color restriction, ultimately limiting its deck-building applications.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that leans on the higher side relative to its impact on the game, Ixalli’s Diviner may be overshadowed by other options. Seekers for cost-efficient creatures that yield immediate board presence or cards with lower mana requirements offering similar or greater value might bypass the Diviner for more favorable picks.
Reasons to Include Ixalli’s Diviner in Your Collection
Versatility: Ixalli’s Diviner, with its Explore ability, allows it to adapt to various scenarios, providing either land ramp or a stronger board presence. This agility makes it a solid inclusion in decks that value early game options.
Combo Potential: As a creature that triggers upon entering the battlefield, it meshes well with effects that react to creatures or ETB (enter the battlefield) abilities. This can create synergy in decks focusing on these types of interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where knowing the state of your deck is crucial, the Diviner’s Explore mechanic offers insight into upcoming draws and can help sculpt your hand in a meta where strategy pivot is key.
How to beat
Ixalli’s Diviner is known for its resilience on the battlefield, thanks to its Explore ability which can give it a crucial +1/+1 counter while also helping to sort through the deck. Defeating this creature efficiently requires a straightforward approach. Utilize removal spells that bypass the +1/+1 counter by not relying on dealing damage. These could include unconditional removals like “Path to Exile” or “Fatal Push” which can take care of the Diviner regardless of its size.
Alternatively, strategies that don’t target creatures directly can be effective. Board wipes such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can clear the board of Ixalli’s Diviner along with any other threats. It’s also a sound tactic to force overextension of your opponent’s creatures onto the board before playing a sweeping removal, maximizing the value of your card and diminishing the resources of your adversary.
On the flip side, agitation through counterspells can disrupt your opponent’s game plan before the Diviner ever touches the field. By preparing with versatile counters such as “Negate” or “Dovin’s Veto”, the caster ensures these creatures don’t provide their beneficial exploration bonuses, keeping the battlefield in your control and leading toward a path of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ixalli's Diviner MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Ixalli's Diviner and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ixalli's Diviner has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ixalli's Diviner card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. If you reveal a nonland card this way, you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you may put the revealed card into your graveyard. Effects that trigger “whenever a creature you control explores” trigger if appropriate. |
| 2018-01-19 | If no card is revealed, most likely because that player’s library is empty, the exploring creature receives a +1/+1 counter. |
| 2018-01-19 | Once an ability that causes a creature to explore begins to resolve, no player may take any other actions until it’s done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove the exploring creature after you reveal a nonland card but before it receives a counter. |