Mayael the Anima MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 179
2012-11-02 - Number 8
2013-11-01 - Number 199
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Elf Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
, : Look at the top five cards of your library. You may put a creature card with power 5 or greater from among them into play. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
The sacred Anima's eyes are blind to all but the grandest truths.
Cards like Mayael the Anima
Mayael the Anima is a distinctive commander in MTG, known for her ability to cheat large creatures onto the battlefield. When compared to other cards with similar abilities, Mayael shines in decks that focus on powerhouses with at least 5 power. One card to compare is Elvish Piper, which also allows for putting creatures directly into play. However, the Piper does this at an individual level and doesn’t require the creatures to be power specific, offering more flexibility at the cost of repeatable mass board impact.
Quicksilver Amulet shares a resemblance to Mayael’s creature deployment tactic, bypassing mana costs and summoning sickness at the expense of instant speed that Mayael offers. Another analog is Lurking Predators, a card that puts creatures into play whenever an opponent casts a spell, which provides a constant threat but lacks the controlling selection that Mayael the Anima’s ability grants. Selvala, Heart of the Wilds can generate significant mana based on the power of creatures, which synergizes with big creature decks but does not directly place them onto the battlefield.
Considering the particular capabilities, Mayael the Anima presents a unique proposition for ‘big creature’ strategists within the game, blending element of surprise and power into a formidable combination.
Cards similar to Mayael the Anima by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When discussing the virtues of Mayael the Anima, the ability of this card to sift through the top five cards of your library for a creature card with power 5 or greater directly translates into potential card advantage. By selectively placing a powerful creature onto the battlefield, you’re significantly improving your board presence while preserving the cards in your hand for further strategic plays.
Resource Acceleration: Mayael’s ability, albeit with a cost, is a form of resource acceleration that bypasses normal casting requirements. This allows you to put expensive creatures into play potentially earlier than you could cast them from your hand, rapidly accelerating the pace at which you can deploy potent threats against your opponents.
Instant Speed: Although Mayael the Anima’s ability is activated at sorcery speed, it synergizes well with instant speed spells and abilities within your deck. By leaving mana open, you convey to your adversaries that you could respond to their actions. Then, should no immediate threat arise, you may activate Mayael’s ability in your last main phase before passing the turn, efficiently utilizing your resources and keeping opponents guessing until the last possible moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mayael the Anima demands active management of your hand, as her ability necessitates a full grip to fully capitalize on her potential, possibly leading to a dilemma when your hand size runs low.
Specific Mana Cost: Her activation cost isn’t just steep; it also specifically requires red, green, and white mana, which narrows deck building options and can strain your mana base, especially in games where mana fixing can be an issue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost of six mana, Mayael’s ability is a significant investment, particularly in fast-paced games. There are other creatures or spells that may bring creatures onto the battlefield more efficiently, giving opponents an advantage in tempo.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mayael the Anima fosters a wide array of deck-building strategies, particularly suited to Commander format, where her ability to cheat in large creatures shines. She supports a high-impact, creature-centric gameplay, which can adapt across various metas.
Combo Potential: Mayael’s ability to look at the top five cards and put a creature with power 5 or greater onto the battlefield synergizes with numerous top-deck manipulation and creature-based combos, enhancing the explosive potential of any deck she’s part of.
Meta-Relevance: Given that many MTG metas include heavy creature-based strategies, Mayael the Anima’s ability to consistently put high-power creatures into play can be a game-changer, keeping your board state competitive and your opponents on their toes.
How to beat
Mayael the Anima is a powerful commander that can easily overwhelm opponents in Magic: The Gathering with her ability to cheat large creatures onto the battlefield. To outpace her, prioritizing removal spells that can deal with large creatures is essential. Board wipes such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can effectively reset the state of the game, mitigating Mayael’s impact. Artifact removal like “Naturalize” or “Disenchant” are crucial as well, to handle key artifacts that enable her quick activations.
Preventing Mayael from activating her ability is another strategy. Cards like “Pithing Needle” or “Sorcerous Spyglass” can be played early to shut her down before she becomes a problem. Hand disruption can be a strong preemptive measure to remove Mayael from your opponent’s hand before she hits the battlefield. Utilizing “Thoughtseize” or “Inquisition of Kozilek” can provide an early advantage.
Lastly, exerting pressure and maintaining a steady pace can keep a Mayael player on the defensive. Aggressive strategies, combined with strategic removal, ensure that the game doesn’t reach a point where Mayael’s ability decides the outcome. Thus, understanding and preparing for her strengths can secure your victory against this powerful MTG card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mayael the Anima MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Commander's Arsenal Oversized, 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 Mayael the Anima and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Mayael the Anima Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by Jason Chan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 179 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
| 2 | 2012-11-02 | Commander's Arsenal Oversized | OCM1 | 8 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
| 3 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 199 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mayael the Anima has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |