Jace's Archivist MTG Card
2011-07-15 - Number 59
2013-11-01 - Number 48
2015-11-13 - Number 95
2020-09-26 - Number M12-59
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Vedalken Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
, : Each player discards his or her hand, then draws cards equal to the greatest number of cards a player discarded this way.
"This is a sacred duty. Master Beleren's trust has bought an eternity of my loyalty."
Cards like Jace's Archivist
Jace’s Archivist is a unique card in the pantheon of blue spells within Magic: The Gathering. It shares a functional kinship with the iconic Wheel of Fortune, which allows each player to discard their hand and draw seven new cards. Jace’s Archivist, however, offers a twist with its activated ability that can be used multiple times, resetting hands to the number of cards in the controller’s hand rather than a fixed seven.
Another similar card is Windfall, which also equalizes the number of cards in each player’s hand. While Windfall is a one-time sorcery, Jace’s Archivist provides a repeatable effect, potentially providing more long-term advantage. Then comes Whispering Madness, which can cipher onto a creature to replay the effect. It delivers comparable gameplay to Jace’s Archivist but requires combat for a repeated effect, positioning Jace’s Archivist as a more reliable choice for players seeking repeated hand disruption.
Judging by its distinctive ability to manipulate hands multiple times throughout a game, Jace’s Archivist asserts itself as a formidable card. It not only disrupts opponents but also synergizes with strategies that benefit from drawing and discarding cards, ensuring its valued role in specific MTG deck archetypes.
Cards similar to Jace's Archivist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Jace’s Archivist provides a unique angle on card advantage. By activating its ability, each player discards their hand and draws cards equal to the greatest number discarded in this way, which can potentially provide a fresh grip of options while disrupting opponents’s plans.
Resource Acceleration: This card can act as resource acceleration in decks designed around dumping cards into the graveyard. By filling up your graveyard quickly, it enables strategies that capitalize on having a high card count in the graveyard, which can be leveraged for various plays.
Instant Speed: While Jace’s Archivist’s ability isn’t at instant speed itself, its synergy with instant speed spells is noteworthy. You can refill your hand right before your turn, guaranteeing that you’re not caught without reactive spells during your opponents’ turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Jace’s Archivist’s ability can be potent, the requirement to discard your entire hand can be disadvantageous, especially when holding key cards you’re not ready to lose.
Specific Mana Cost: The Archivist’s blue mana cost necessitates a deck built around or heavily inclusive of blue mana sources, potentially limiting deck-building versatility and its integration into multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost and activation cost totaling to three mana, Jace’s Archivist can be considered mana-hungry. Other cards in MTG provide card draw or hand disruption at a lower total mana investment.
Reasons to Include Jace’s Archivist in Your Collection
Versatility: Jace’s Archivist offers a unique ability to refresh hands, making it a strong addition to any deck aiming for consistent draw mechanics. Its adaptability shines in formats where maintaining hand advantage is crucial.
Combo Potential: This card is notorious for its synergy with effects that trigger upon drawing or discarding cards. It can serve as a powerful engine in combo decks, potentially unlocking infinite combos or overwhelming card advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In metas that favor lengthy games and heavy hand sculpting, Jace’s Archivist can disrupt opponents’ strategies while offering you a fresh slate of options, ensuring its relevance in a variety of competitive environments.
How to beat
Jace’s Archivist is a notable card that can leave many MTG players in a difficult position. Its ability to force each player to discard their hand and draw cards equal to the greatest number discarded this way is a formidable disruption tool. Facing this card, strategy is paramount. To counter its effect, instant speed removal spells are your ally. They allow you to destroy or exile Jace’s Archivist before its controller can activate the ability, preserving your hand while denying your opponent theirs.
Discarding cards can also be beneficial for some deck strategies, so constructing your deck with that in mind can turn the Archivist’s drawback into an advantage. Including cards that thrive on the graveyard, such as those with Flashback or Jump-Start, or creatures that grow stronger with a well-stocked graveyard, can also mitigate the impact. Moreover, cards with madness can actually benefit from the forced discard allowing for a cheaper cast and a surprise factor against your opponent. Lastly, employing spells or abilities to shuffle your graveyard back into your library can dilute the Archivist’s effect, making it less advantageous for the controller.
Recognizing the right moment to deal with Jace’s Archivist and leveraging a deck resilient to discarding are key techniques for neutralizing this cyclonic quandary and maintaining control over the course of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Jace's Archivist MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Commander 2013, 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 Jace's Archivist 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
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Printings
The Jace's Archivist Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2015-11-13. Illustrated by James Ryman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 59 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 48 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 3 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | M12-59 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Ryman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Jace's Archivist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Jace's Archivist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | If this ability causes a player to draw more cards than are left in their library, that player loses the game as a state-based action. If this ability causes all players to do this, the game is a draw. |