Scepter of Empires MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2011-07-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Magic 2012 |
| Set code | M12 |
| Number | 216 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | John Avon |
Key Takeaways
- Scepter of Empires excels in providing continuous board control and pressuring opponents each turn.
- With ‘Empire’ artifact synergy, it scales up to become a formidable resource acceleration tool.
- Despite its potential, a substantial mana investment and setup are necessary to capitalize fully.
Text of card
: Scepter of Empires deals 1 damage to target player. It deals 3 damage to that player instead if you control artifacts named Crown of Empires and Throne of Empires.
"With this scepter, smite your enemies." —Scepter inscription
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scepter of Empires provides a recurrent source of damage that can target creatures or players, thereby helping you whittle down opponent life totals or control the board without sacrificing your own cards.
Resource Acceleration: When combined with the other ‘Empires’ artifacts – Crown and Throne – the Scepter becomes a potent engine, accelerating the damage dealt and effectively multiplying your resources through its synergistic abilities.
Instant Speed: Although the Scepter itself does not operate at instant speed, it allows for flexible mana expenditure during your turn. This adaptability means you can opt to use the Scepter’s ability when your mana would otherwise go unused, maintaining pressure and resource utility throughout each phase of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scepter of Empires does not directly demand a discard, but to fully utilize its tap ability, having the Crown and Throne of Empires is advisable. Acquiring and playing all pieces require a considerable hand investment, which could be taxing if your hand size is dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: While not color specific, the Scepter’s casting cost does require three generic mana, which necessitates a solid mana base or acceleration to play it early on in the game when setting up for optimal returns.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Totalling three mana, this artifact may seem affordable, but considering its tap ability only inflicts one damage without the accompanying empire cards, other options may provide a more immediate or impactful board presence for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Scepter of Empires is a card that slides into a variety of decks. Its ability to deal damage can be a consistent threat in game formats that go long or have incremental life-total battles.
Combo Potential: When paired with other “Empires” artifacts, the Scepter’s effectiveness significantly increases, turning it into a potent source of recurring damage, aligning well with strategies heavy on artifact synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with creature-based strategies, having an artifact that can ping creatures or players can be crucial. It’s a tool that provides recurring interactions, potentially swaying the board state in your favor over time.
How to beat
Scepter of Empires is a piece known for its incremental damage in the game of Magic: The Gathering, rewarding players for controlling a copy of each compatriot artifact from its cycle. When analyzing how to effectively navigate against this card, it’s essential to consider strategies that limit its impact. Artifact removal spells become paramount in this scenario; efficient and timely removal like Naturalize or Abrade can dismantle the Scepter’s influence, removing the threat before it accumulates substantial damage.
Counterplay could also involve resource disruption, specifically targeting the artifact synergy required to maximize the card’s potential. Cards such as Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe can stifle a player’s ability to utilize artifacts, rendering Scepter of Empires and its counterparts ineffective. Additionally, keeping one’s life total out of reach can be an effective tactic; incorporating lifegain elements within your deck might provide the necessary buffer to withstand the Scepter’s damage output until you can deal with it directly.
Understanding the Scepter’s operational framework implies recognizing when to prioritize its removal or counter its synergy within the framework of an MTG match, thereby increasing your odds of victory when facing this persistent artifact threat.
Cards like Scepter of Empires
When assessing the strategic utility of Scepter of Empires within MTG, it’s instrumental to compare it to other cards within the artifact domain. Notably, Scepter of Empires is part of a trio alongside the Crown of Empires and Throne of Empires, and together they enable a powerful synergy. On its own, Scepter of Empires can deal damage to opponents, which aligns it with cards like Staff of Nin. However, the Scepter’s ability scales up when you control more lands, offering a unique angle of incremental advantage.
In a broader context, there are other artifacts like Rod of Ruin, which also enable players to deal damage directly, though without the land count scalability. Another comparable piece is the Pyrite Spellbomb, which can deal damage once before sacing, offering a quick but less sustainable option. In both cases, Scepter of Empires stands out for its potential to repeatedly impact the game state as long as you have enough mana at your disposal.
Taking into consideration these comparisons, Scepter of Empires presents itself as a versatile tool in MTG, providing recurring damage potential that could be vital for long-term strategies seeking to whittle down opponents’ life totals.
Cards similar to Scepter of Empires by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scepter of Empires MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012, 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 Scepter of Empires and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Scepter of Empires 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 Scepter of Empires 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 any of the named cards stops being an artifact, it won’t be considered by these abilities. |
| 2011-09-22 | Whether or not you control the correct artifacts is determined when the ability resolves. |
