Magus of the Unseen MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 82
1997-03-24 - Number 102
2008-09-22 - Number 53
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Magus of the Unseen excels in manipulating artifacts, enabling strategic plays and disrupting opponent plans.
- The cost of using Magus’s ability includes a discard, adding a strategic layer to its deployment.
- While versatile, it can be resource-intensive, making deck inclusion a carefully considered choice.
Text of card
o1o U,oc T: Untap target artifact opponent controls and gain control of it until end of turn. If that artifact is an artifact creature, it can attack, and you may use any of its abilities that require oc T as part of the activation cost. When you lose control of the artifact, tap it.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Magus of the Unseen offers a unique spin on card advantage by temporarily gaining control of target artifacts. This can disrupt an opponent’s strategy and provide you with additional resources to use.
Resource Acceleration: When successful, the Magus can grant you access to artifact abilities or additional mana sources without having to invest in casting those artifacts yourself, indirectly acting as a form of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: This creature’s ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility and surprise to your game plan. You can respond to your opponent’s moves or optimize your own mana usage after seeing how a turn unfolds.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other cards that provide similar effects without any prerequisites, Magus of the Unseen requires a discard, which might put players at a disadvantage, particularly when the hand size is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Magus of the Unseen demands both blue and generic mana, which adds complexity to mana bases and might exclude it from mono-colored or mana-restricted deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that can be considered steep for its abilities, players often weigh the cost-benefit ratio of including Magus of the Unseen in their decks, especially when there are alternative cards that offer similar value for less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Magus of the Unseen offers a dynamic role in decks that can capitalize on temporary control of artifacts. Its ability can be an unexpected game-changer, adept at both offensive maneuvers and defensive plays.
Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios that involve artifact manipulation. By temporarily seizing artifacts, it can set up powerful interactions or dismantle an opponent’s established board presence, paving the way for pivotal combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where artifacts are prevalent, Magus of the Unseen can turn the tide by disrupting artifact strategies that opponents rely on. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a tailored answer to such matchups.
How to beat
Magus of the Unseen is a unique card that dives into the strategy of Magic: The Gathering, offering players the ability to temporarily take control of an artifact. Managing this card requires careful planning, as Magus of the Unseen can drastically change the flow of the game. To effectively counteract this card’s influence, players should consider removing it directly with removal spells, disrupting the synergy with artifact destruction, or outpacing the temporary advantage it provides with superior board presence.
Artifact removal spells like Abrade or Disenchant can take out key artifacts that your opponent might target with Magus of the Unseen, limiting its utility. Alternatively, creature removal such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can eliminate the Magus itself before it causes too much disruption. Lastly, keeping strong defenses and maintaining pressure can overwhelm an opponent relying on Magus of the Unseen, as they spend their mana and focus on artifacts rather than developing a formidable board state.
Ultimately, knowing when to neutralize threats or push your own advantage is crucial when facing this card. With the right strategy, you can prevent Magus of the Unseen from tipping the scales and maintain control over the game.
Cards like Magus of the Unseen
Magus of the Unseen is a unique creature card that stands out in Magic the Gathering. When comparing it to cards with similar effects, Icy Manipulator comes to mind, which also allows players to control and untap artifacts. Magus of the Unseen provides a similar effect but with an added twist – it temporarily steals the artifact, which can be a game-changing move. Unlike Icy Manipulator, Magus of the Unseen requires both a mana investment and the creature to remain untapped to use its ability.
Another card worth mentioning is Vedalken Shackles. It allows players, particularly in the control archetype, to take possession of opponent’s creatures. Though the approach is different, the fundamental concept of commandeering the opponent’s assets is shared with Magus of the Unseen. Vedalken Shackles is more versatile in targeting creatures, but it’s limited to the number of Islands you control, while Magus of the Unseen targets artifacts exclusively, irrespective of your land types.
The strategic implications of these cards are vital as they shape the versatility of control decks in MTG. Magus of the Unseen, with its focused artifact control, occupies a niche role that can be particularly potent in artifact-heavy metagames.
Cards similar to Magus of the Unseen by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Magus of the Unseen MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Magus of the Unseen 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 Magic products
Printings
The Magus of the Unseen Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Kaja Foglio.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 82 | 1993 | normal | black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 102 | 1997 | normal | white | Kaja Foglio | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 53 | 1997 | normal | black | Kaja Foglio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Magus of the Unseen has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magus of the Unseen card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The artifact taps after returning to the opponent (if it is not already tapped), so any abilities triggered off it tapping happen at that time. |
| 2004-10-04 | You may target an untapped artifact with this ability. |
| 2008-10-01 | The artifact will gain haste whether or not it’s a creature. Of course, if it’s not a creature, haste will have no particular effect. |
| 2008-10-01 | You tap the artifact when you lose control of it for any reason — because Magus of the Unseen’s effect ends, or because a spell or ability causes another player to gain control of it. |
