Celestial Sword MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Celestial Sword grants card advantage potentially through combat, which can be pivotal in maintaining control.
  2. It can dramatically accelerate resources, leading to quicker execution of strategies and faster gameplay.
  3. The sword’s instant bolstering capability integrates well with decks that capitalize on surprise and timing.

Text of card

o3,oc T: Target creature you control gets +3/+3 until end of turn. At end of turn, bury that creature.

"So great is its power, only the chosen can wield it and live." —Avram Garrisson, Leader of the Knights of Stromgald


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Celestial Sword provides a significant tactical edge by allowing players to potentially draw additional cards through its equipped creature’s combat prowess. This mechanism supports players in staying ahead in card resources and maintaining the upper hand against opponents.

Resource Acceleration: By aiding in the deployment of creatures or activating abilities sooner than usual, the Celestial Sword serves as a catalyst for resource acceleration. Its presence on the battlefield could be the turning point, enabling swifter execution of game-winning strategies.

Instant Speed: Although the Celestial Sword is not an instant itself, its synergy with creatures that have flash or with other instant-speed spells can’t be understated. Its capability to instantly bolster a creature’s power during surprise blocks or end-of-turn plays makes it a versatile addition to any deck that thrives on timing and surprise maneuvers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unleash its power, Celestial Sword asks players to let go of a card from their hand. This demand can be quite taxing during tight situations when hand size is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: The sword’s forging requires a precise mix of mana, potentially clashing with decks that aren’t aligned with its celestial makeup. This could lock out certain strategies, particularly those that thrive on a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana investment that may be considered steep for its effects, players often debate its efficiency. In many cases, deck builders might find alternatives that offer more impact or better synergy with lower mana expenditure.


Reasons to Include Celestial Sword in Your Collection

Versatility: Celestial Sword is a flexible card that can be adapted to a variety of deck archetypes. It can offer both a boost in mana and power to creatures, fitting seamlessly into both aggressive and controlling strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can work in tandem with cards that benefit from equipment or triggered abilities when casting artifacts. Additionally, it can synergize with creatures that have tap abilities, offering more strategic depth and interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given that it can alter the pace of the game by ramping or empowering your creatures, Celestial Sword holds a place in metagames where tempo plays a critical role and decks strive for efficient resource utilization.


How to beat

The Celestial Sword is a notable artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering, a tool that can turn the tides of battle in your opponent’s favor. When facing this mighty card, consider employing artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Abrade to seamlessly dispatch it from the battlefield. Alternately, employing counterspells such as Negate can prevent the sword from ever touching the playing field.

Strategies that focus on resource denial, such as land destruction or discard effects, can also hamper an opponent’s ability to utilize the Celestial Sword effectively. This can be especially impactful as the sword requires a mana investment to equip and activate its abilities. By restricting an opponent’s mana base or their card resources, you diminish the threat the sword poses. In the end, swift removal or preemptive disruption tend to be the most consistent methods in ensuring the Celestial Sword doesn’t dominate the match.

Adapting your game to accommodate potential threats like the Celestial Sword ensures you maintain control. Remember that understanding your opponent’s strategy and planning accordingly is vital, as is including versatile answers in your deck to handle diverse challenges that may arise during gameplay.


Cards like Celestial Sword

Within the vast repertoire of Magic the Gathering, Celestial Sword is a unique artifact that offers a sharpened edge to any player’s deck. Its nearest relatives in functionality include weapons such as Bonesplitter, a staple that also provides a straightforward power boost to creatures. Bonesplitter, cost-effective and without the need for mana activation, is favored in aggressive strategies that seek quick buffs. Celestial Sword, while potentially offering a larger bonus, requires a mana investment to wield its power.

Adventurous players might draw parallels with Moonsilver Spear, which also carries a celestial theme and, like Celestial Sword, offers a late-game advantage. Moonsilver Spear demands a significant mana investment but rewards players with angelic tokens, presenting a different style of utility and board presence. Though Celestial Sword doesn’t grant creature tokens, its scalable power can be a game-changer in prolonged matches.

Assessing these similar artifacts in the context of MTG’s complex battlefield, Celestial Sword holds its own with its uniquely scalable power boost. It beckons to those who would build around it, offering strength to those with the patience and resources to unlock its full potential.

Bonesplitter - MTG Card versions
Moonsilver Spear - MTG Card versions
Bonesplitter - Arena League 2003 (PAL03)
Moonsilver Spear - Avacyn Restored Promos (PAVR)

Cards similar to Celestial Sword by color, type and mana cost

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Voodoo Doll - MTG Card versions
Book of Rass - MTG Card versions
Tetravus - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Feroz's Ban - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Triskelion - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Armageddon Clock - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Mirror Universe - Legends (LEG)
Sword of the Ages - Legends (LEG)
Planar Gate - Legends (LEG)
Urza's Avenger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Bronze Tablet - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Shapeshifter - Antiquities (ATQ)
Voodoo Doll - Chronicles (CHR)
Book of Rass - The Dark (DRK)
Tetravus - Rinascimento (RIN)
Joven's Tools - Homelands (HML)
Serpent Generator - Legends (LEG)
Flowstone Sculpture - Tempest (TMP)
Workhorse - The List (PLST)
Well of Discovery - Prophecy (PCY)
Phyrexian Hulk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Feroz's Ban - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wurmcoil Engine - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Celestial Sword MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition IV, 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 Celestial Sword and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Celestial Sword Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Amy Weber.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 3141993normalblackAmy Weber
22011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1881997normalblackAmy Weber

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Celestial Sword has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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