Memorial to Genius MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 243
2020-11-20 - Number 485
2021-04-23 - Number 301
2022-12-02 - Number 815
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-243
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Memorial to Genius enters the battlefield tapped. : Add . , , Sacrifice Memorial to Genius: Draw two cards.
Cards like Memorial to Genius
Memorial to Genius stands as an interesting land card option for Magic: The Gathering players who seek a balance between mana utility and card advantage. Its similarity to cards like Arch of Orazca is evident, with both providing an additional draw ability. Memorial to Genius allows a player to draw two cards upon its sacrifice, offering a one-time burst in card advantage. Arch of Orazca, however, requires the city’s blessing to draw one card but can be used multiple times as long as the conditions are met.
Diving into comparisons with other lands, we find the likes of Mikokoro, Center of the Sea, which also encourages card draw. While Mikokoro allows a player to draw an extra card at any time for the cost of two mana and tapping it, it gifts opponents the same advantage. On the contrary, Memorial to Genius specifically caters to the controlling player’s need for cards. Then we have Geier Reach Sanitarium, a card that offers a unique draw and discard approach, affecting all players equally. It is both less resource-intensive and more symmetrical in its effect compared to the strategic, targeted advantage provided by Memorial to Genius.
Leveraging the right moment to capitalize on Memorial to Genius’s card draw can provide players with a significant advantage, situating it as a valuable addition to decks that can afford to play a long game.
Cards similar to Memorial to Genius by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Memorial to Genius provides you with the opportunity to draw two cards upon activation. This enables you to replenish your hand, potentially pulling the answers or threats you need to gain leverage over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: As a land that taps for blue mana, Memorial to Genius can be a key piece in setting up your mana base early in the game. Additionally, its secondary ability effectively converts the land into new cards, ensuring that your resources are not depleted even in the later stages of the game.
Instant Speed: The card-drawing ability of Memorial to Genius can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves. This way, you can maximize your mana efficiency by using it at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to actions that would otherwise leave you in a disadvantageous position.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Memorial to Genius does not directly mandate a discard, but it can potentially set you back in terms of card advantage. When you leverage the land’s ability to draw cards, you sacrifice it in the process. This trade-off can leave you without the land needed for future turns, effectively reducing the resources at your disposal.
Specific Mana Cost: To utilize the card-drawing ability of Memorial to Genius, you must pay not only the generic mana cost but also specific blue mana. This requirement can restrict deck-building options, making the card less versatile and potentially a dead draw in a mana-strapped situation or in a deck with a less stable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to engage its draw capability is substantial, requiring a total of four mana, including two that are color-specific. For players looking to maximize their mana expenditure, there are alternative cards that may offer card draw more efficiently or without the need to sacrifice a valuable land slot on the board.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Memorial to Genius provides a flexible utility as a land card. It seamlessly fits into blue-based decks, and since it taps for blue mana, it suits the strategic needs of control, combo, or ramp decks looking to capitalize on card draw.
Combo Potential: This card holds potential for combos in decks that thrive on drawing cards. It can be particularly effective when paired with effects that trigger whenever you draw a card, or with strategies that revolve around filling the graveyard for various payoffs.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, so does the importance of having versatile lands. In current meta where long games are commonplace, the ability to turn a land into a source of card advantage can be crucial. Memorial to Genius fulfills this role perfectly, keeping decks that need constant access to new resources competitive.
How to beat
Memorial to Genius is an exceptional land card that provides strategic depth to any Magic: The Gathering player’s deck. On one hand, its ability to tap for colorless mana makes it a flexible option for any stage of the game. On the other, later in the match, its secondary ability can provide a much-needed card advantage by drawing two cards for a moderate investment of mana.
Strategies to outpace Memorial to Genius include aggressive land disruption. Land destruction cards or effects that strip opponents of crucial mana sources can hamper their ability to utilize the draw effect efficiently. Additionally, red’s direct damage spells and green’s creatures can create an urgent enough threat that the opponent may not have the luxury to spend five mana to draw cards. Counterspells can also be a key tool, waiting for your opponent to invest in activating Memorial’s ability only to negate their action, leading to a significant loss of tempo on their side.
Effectively, countering the versatile uses of Memorial to Genius requires a keen understanding of timing and resource management. By focusing on proactive disruption or applying consistent pressure, you can mitigate the value your opponent derives from this utility land.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Memorial to Genius MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and The List, 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 Memorial to Genius 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 Memorial to Genius Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by James Paick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 243 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | DOM-243 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | ||
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 485 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 4 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 301 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 815 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Memorial to Genius has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |