Cloak of the Philosopher MTG Card

Cloak of the Philosopher - Journey into Nyx Hero's Path

Rarity	Common
Type	Hero Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Journey into Nyx Hero's Path
Set code	THP3
Number	7b
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chuck Lukacs

Key Takeaways

Boosts card hand when spells resolve, pivotal for victory in resource-critical matches.
Provides mana acceleration, enabling earlier or more frequent powerful spell casting.
Allows for instant-speed responses, keeping players ahead during an opponent’s turn.

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +1/+1. : Untap equipped creature. Equip

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cloak of the Philosopher shines in decks that look to maintain a full grip. It boosts your card reservoir each time you manage to carefully navigate a spell through your opponent’s defenses. This continuous stream of new cards into your hand can be the difference between victory and defeat, especially in matches where resources are key.

Resource Acceleration: Besides enriching your strategic options with more cards, this enchanting piece of gear has the potential to speed up your game plan significantly. By providing additional mana, it can be the conduit for unleashing powerful spells earlier than usual or for maintaining tempo to outpace opponents.

Instant Speed: The ability to interact with the game on an opponent’s turn is what separates good players from great ones. The Cloak grants this prowess, enabling you to respond to threats or optimize your plays during your opponent’s end step, ensuring that you are always one step ahead.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Cloak of the Philosopher’s abilities necessitates that you discard a card. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted, turning an asset into a potential liability during crucial moments of a match.

Specific Mana Cost: To make full use of Cloak of the Philosopher, a precise combination of mana is necessary. This might not always align with your current mana base, especially in a multicolor deck, making it less flexible compared to colorless options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost demanding a dedicated investment, it sits on the higher end for equipment that provides a similar level of benefit. Other gear or enchantments may help you achieve your strategic goals at a lower opportunity cost.

Reasons to Include Cloak of the Philosopher in Your Collection

Versatility: Cloak of the Philosopher stands out as a card that can be a game-changer in a diverse array of deck archetypes. Its ability to provide protection while potentially bolstering your mana pool makes it a handy tool in both aggressive and control-oriented strategies.

Combo Potential: Beyond its intrinsic value, this card can open the door to powerful synergies. When used in tandem with creatures or spells that benefit from artifact interactions or additional mana, it can serve as a catalyst for devastating combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of the MTG metagame, a card that offers both defensive and ramp capabilities can be crucial. It can help you gain an edge against an array of popular tactics by facilitating faster deployment of your threats or shoring up your defenses.

How to Beat

The Cloak of the Philosopher is a unique artifact in the world of Magic the Gathering that provides an advantageous edge to the controlling player by granting an additional draw each turn. This card bears similarity to the esteemed Phyrexian Arena, with its potent draw mechanic but distinguishes itself with the ability to confer hexproof to the equipped creature. To outplay an opponent leveraging Cloak of the Philosopher, you’ll need a strategy that circumvents its strengths.

Players often counter this kind of advantage by incorporating artifact removal spells in their deck. Ensuing the destruction of the Cloak is crucial, such spells like Disenchant or Naturalize can serve this purpose well. Additionally, embracing strategies that limit the opponent’s ability to capitalize on extra draws proves effective. Tools that force discard, such as Thoughtseize or Duress, help remove powerful cards drawn with the Cloak before they can be played. Lastly, consider using untargeted board wipes that can clear the hexproof-protected creatures; Supreme Verdict is a prime example.

Masterly outmaneuvering the Cloak of the Philosopher involves a cocktail of disruption, removal, and pressure. By emphasizing interaction and board control, you can nullify the Cloak’s influence and keep the playing field even.

Cards like Cloak of the Philosopher

The Cloak of the Philosopher is a unique enchantment that’s a rising star among the myriad of options players have for powering up their strategies in the game. A close relative in this niche is the Whip of Erebos. While the Whip grants creatures lifelink, the Cloak notably bestows upon the equipped creature the ability to dodge spells and abilities by sacrificing it, setting it apart with a protective edge.

Another analog is the Swiftfoot Boots, furnishing both hexproof and haste. However, what makes the Cloak of the Philosopher stand out is its cost-efficient invulnerability mechanic. Magebane Armor is also worth referencing due to its capability to shield its wearer from spells, though it comes with the downside of nullifying the creature’s power, making the Cloak’s effect more desirable by comparison.

Assessing the competitors, the Cloak of the Philosopher carves its space with the favorable balance of affordability and its reactive defensive capability. It ensures creatures can be safe from harm at a critical moment, thus solidifying its role within Magic: The Gathering as a strategic tool for creature longevity and player advantage.

Cards similar to Cloak of the Philosopher by color, type and mana cost

Axe of the Warmonger - MTG Card versions

Spear of the General - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cloak of the Philosopher MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx Hero's Path, 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 Cloak of the Philosopher and other MTG cards: