Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar MTG Card


Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar - Magic Online Avatars
RarityRare
TypeVanguard
Released2003-01-01
Set symbol
Set nameMagic Online Avatars
Set codePMOA
Number70
Frame2015
LayoutVanguard
BorderBlack
Illustred byUDON

Key Takeaways

  1. Draw three cards at will with Arcanis, ensuring you always have strategic options and full hands.
  2. Instant speed draw can provide a significant hand boost at the end of your opponent’s turn.
  3. Despite the advantages, tapping Arcanis can leave you vulnerable without blockers.

Text of card

, Return a creature you control with converted mana cost X to its owner's hand: Draw a number of cards chosen at random between 0 and X. X can't be 0.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Arcanis, the Omnipotent stands out as a card advantage powerhouse, giving you the ability to draw three cards at will. This recurring draw effect ensures you have a steady stream of new options every turn, keeping your hands full and your strategies flexible.

Resource Acceleration: While Arcanis himself doesn’t directly produce mana, the card draw ability indirectly accelerates your resources. More cards in hand mean more land drops and spells played, which can lead to a quicker deployment of your game plan.

Instant Speed: One of the key features of Arcanis is his ability to utilize his card draw effect at instant speed. This means you can end your opponent’s turn with a significant boost to your hand, ensuring that you’re never caught off guard and always have an answer at the ready. Being able to act in this way keeps opponents guessing and gives you a tactical edge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Arcanis, the Omnipotent allows players to draw three cards, activating this ability requires the card to be tapped. This could potentially leave you vulnerable to attacks and without blockers, especially since there’s no immediate benefit as the effect doesn’t occur until the end of your turn.

Specific Mana Cost: The summoning cost for this Avatar includes three blue mana symbols, demanding a heavy commitment to blue. For players running multicolored decks, it can be challenging to meet this requirement consistently, especially in the early phases of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of six mana, Arcanis demands a significant investment. In fast-paced games or matchups against aggressive decks, you may find that by the time you’re able to play Arcanis, your opponent has already established a dominating presence or even achieved victory.


Reasons to Include Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar isn’t just a powerful presence; it’s versatility incarnate. Capable of sliding seamlessly into control or combo decks, its ability to draw three cards offers an unparalleled advantage in card access and selection, ensuring you are never without options.

Combo Potential: With the ability to untap Arcanis on demand, it transforms into a combo engine. Whether it’s enabling chain draws or synergizing with untap mechanics, Arcanis can act as the linchpin in a strategy aiming to outpace opponents through superior card advantage. Imagine the possibilities when pairing with cards that benefit from draw power or high volumes of spell casting.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s as much about knowledge as it is power, Arcanis promises relevance in various meta environments. Its card draw capacity ensures that you maintain pace in slower, strategic duels, while in games with faster tempos, it serves as a pertinent and recurring resource. As the battlefield evolves, so too does the invaluable role that Arcanis can play.


How to beat Arcanis, the Omnipotent

A challenge in any Magic: The Gathering match is facing off against a powerful card such as Arcanis, the Omnipotent. Renowned for its ability to draw three cards with a tap, defeating this card requires a strategic approach. To tip the scales, consider using instant-speed removal spells before your opponent can gain the upper hand with card advantage. Creature removal spells like Path to Exile or Murder are key to taking Arcanis off the board swiftly.

Counter spells also serve as an effective tool against Arcanis. By countering Arcanis as it hits the stack, you prevent any card draw from happening. Don’t overlook the importance of board presence; applying pressure with creatures can force your opponent to use Arcanis defensively. Lastly, with Arcanis’ high mana cost, playing aggressive decks that can win before Arcanis becomes active is a worthwhile strategy. This multifaceted approach ensures that Arcanis, the Omnipotent doesn’t become the omnipresent threat in your game.


Cards like Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar

Arcanis, the Omnipotent is a powerhouse in MTG, offering limitless potential by allowing players to draw three cards with its activated ability. Its likely counterparts include Consecrated Sphinx, which promises substantial card advantage by drawing you two cards whenever an opponent draws one. Despite the Sphinx’s passive ability, both reflect a strong draw potential, though Arcanis demands a board presence and mana to utilize its skill.

Another parallel can be drawn with Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, which maximizes hand size while depleting opponents’ resources, enforcing a staggering end-of-turn discard. There’s a strategic divergence; Jin-Gitaxias acts as a disruptive force against opponents, whereas Arcanis focuses on bolstering your own strategic plays with a constant flow of options.

Comparing these card-drawing giants, Arcanis stands out because of its loyalty to delivering an unending stream of resources, while others may offer conditional advantages or more broad-based influence over the game’s flow. Therefore, Arcanis, with its straightforward and powerful ability, represents a pinnacle of card draw engines that seasoned MTG players may seek for their decks.

Consecrated Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur - MTG Card versions
Consecrated Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Avatars, 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 Arcanis, the Omnipotent Avatar and other MTG cards:

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