Memory Jar MTG Card


Memory Jar remains a powerful artifact, enabling significant card draw in combo and legacy formats to outpace opponents. Due to its potent ability, Memory Jar is banned in several competitive formats, ensuring game balance and diversity. It is a pivotal piece in numerous vintage and casual decks, often leading to game-winning turns when used effectively.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

oc T, Sacrifice Memory Jar: Each player sets aside his or her hand, face down, and draws seven cards. At end of turn, each player discards his or her hand and returns to his or her hand each card he or she set aside this way.


Cards like Memory Jar

When we delve into the world of artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, Memory Jar carves a unique niche due to its bounteous card draw mechanism. Compare it to Howling Mine or Anvil of Bogardan, famed for their card drawing abilities. What sets Memory Jar apart is its ability to provide a heftier card draw at once, although at a slight delay, and a surprising end turn discard.

Another significant comparison can be made with Wheel of Fortune. Despite both reshaping the hand players wield, Memory Jar imbues the game with an element of delicate strategy thanks to its delay factor combined with a seven-card draw. This element of surprise may not exist with the instantly activated Wheel of Fortune.

On the same note, Ghirapur Orrery offers a similar card advantage but lacks the sudden impact of Memory Jar. Its advantage builds slowly over time, while Memory Jar comes down with a crash, providing an instant surplus, aligning perfectly with a more aggressive strategy.

After dissecting the nuanced effects of these sets of artifacts, it becomes evident that Memory Jar holds its own in the Magic: The Gathering universe with its distinctive blend of strategic draw-discarding mechanism.

Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Anvil of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Wheel of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Ghirapur Orrery - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Anvil of Bogardan - MTG Card versions
Wheel of Fortune - MTG Card versions
Ghirapur Orrery - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Memory Jar by color, type and mana cost

Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
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Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
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Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
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Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Memory Jar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Paradoxical OutcomeParadoxical Outcome VintageParadoxical OutcomeVintage Preliminary 2024-04-12
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Pros of Memory Jar

Card Advantage: Memory Jar gives a tremendous card advantage on the playing field. When activated, each player exiles all cards from his or her hand face down and draws seven new cards. Such a massive influx of options can easily tilt the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Memory Jar, interacting with various artifact-synergistic cards, accelerates your resources. With the jar, you can easily set off combos providing critical mana resources for demanding spells and combos.

Instant Speed: Since activation of Memory Jar’s ability is at instant speed, you can tactfully disrupt the flow of your opponent’s game plan. It allows for strategic timing, triggering the jar either on an opponent’s turn or in response to threatening game moves.


Memory Jar Cons

Discard Requirement: Use of Memory Jar mandates that you discard your hand as a part of its effect, leading to a potential loss of crucial cards. This can be particularly disadvantageous in scenarios where you’re running thin on resources or need specific cards at hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Memory Jar requires five colorless mana to cast, making it prohibitive in decks that struggle with flexible mana generation. Its cost may limit its utility particularly in decks lacking adequate mana ramp accessories.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Memory Jar can often be a late-game artifact. Compared to other cards with less mana cost that provide similar features, Memory Jar might be considered less efficient in certain deck builds.


Reasons to Include Memory Jar in Your Collection

Versatility: Memory Jar boasts a wide array of potential utilization, adapting effectively to several deck types. Its power to force both players to set aside their hands, draw seven new cards for a turn, then return their original hands offers unique dynamics in gameplay.

Combo Potential: Memory Jar’s capacity to churn out seven new cards in a turn empowers strategies that maximize on draw triggers, opening doors to formidable combos and synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current meta-game that values card interactions and strategic resource management, the influx of new resources by Memory Jar could be a game-changer, turning the odds in your favor.


Similar Cards

When we delve into the world of artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, Memory Jar carves a unique niche due to its bounteous card draw mechanism. Compare it to Howling Mine or Anvil of Bogardan, famed for their card drawing abilities. What sets Memory Jar apart is its ability to provide a heftier card draw at once, although at a slight delay, and a surprising end turn discard.

Another significant comparison can be made with Wheel of Fortune. Despite both reshaping the hand players wield, Memory Jar imbues the game with an element of delicate strategy thanks to its delay factor combined with a seven-card draw. This element of surprise may not exist with the instantly activated Wheel of Fortune.

On the same note, Ghirapur Orrery offers a similar card advantage but lacks the sudden impact of Memory Jar. Its advantage builds slowly over time, while Memory Jar comes down with a crash, providing an instant surplus, aligning perfectly with a more aggressive strategy.

After dissecting the nuanced effects of these sets of artifacts, it becomes evident that Memory Jar holds its own in the Magic: The Gathering universe with its distinctive blend of strategic draw-discarding mechanism.


How to Beat Memory Jar

Memory Jar, a powerhouse in Magic: The Gathering, offers players a unique strategy to draw seven fresh cards temporarily. By giving you and your opponent a fleeting burst of resources, it can turn the tides of a match. However, like every card, it has its vulnerabilities.

Spot removal can effectively deal with Memory Jar. Since it’s an artifact, cards with “Destroy target artifact” effects— like Shatter or Naturalize— can take it out before it’s even used. Instant speed removal is particularly useful, as you can react to your opponent’s attempt to utilize the jar and neutralize it on their turn.

Besides artifact hate, counterspells provide another layer of defence. Countering Memory Jar when cast prevents it from ever hitting the battlefield. Cards such as Mana Leak, Counterspell, or Negate can do this job effectively.

Another potent strategy is using graveyard hate cards. As Memory Jar relies on the graveyard for its effect, cards like Relic of Progenitus, Tormod’s Crypt, and Leyline of the Void can disrupt this synergy, thus diminishing the power of the card.

Understanding these strata of defense against Memory Jar, you can construct your deck to effectively counter its tremendous draw capabilities. Knowledge, after all, is the first step to triumph in Magic: The Gathering.


Unveiling the Potentials of Memory Jar

Imagine tapping into a reservoir of knowledge, where strategic plays and hidden treasures lie in wait, promising to turn the tide in a game filled with mystical creatures and powerful spells. In the realm of Magic the Gathering (MTG), one such vessel of possibilities is Memory Jar. As players, dissecting the capabilities and applications of Memory Jar can set you on a path of discovery, unearthing the tactical depth this card offers.

Memory Jar: A Deep Dive

Memory Jar is an artifact with a potent ability. It allows a player to set their original hand aside and draw seven new cards. However, at the end of the turn, those new cards are discarded, and the original hand is retrieved. This card, when played correctly, can provide an incredible surge of options, may it be for combo execution or salvaging a dire situation.

Strategic Implications in Gameplay

In MTG, timing is everything, and Memory Jar exemplifies this. The instant boost in hand size can provide the resources necessary for a game-changing play. Players in the combo or storm archetypes find it especially useful as it can help amass the right ingredients for a powerful sequence of spells that could potentially win the game on the spot.

Integrating Memory Jar in Your Deck

Integrating Memory Jar into your deck requires consideration of your overall strategy. Its synergy with cards that capitalize on drawing or discarding, such as ‘Megrim’ or ‘Waste Not,’ maximizes its potential. This makes it more than just a draw mechanism—it becomes a pivotal point in your deck’s mechanism.

Crafting Memorable Moments

One must not underestimate the impact of Memory Jar. It’s not just about the draw itself but about the plays it unlocks. Imagine dumping a laden hand of lands for a fresh seven cards that might just contain the perfect sequence to climax a hard-fought battle. The jar can turn an average situation into a memorable victory.

Rules and Regulations

Understanding the rules surrounding Memory Jar is critical. Knowing when to activate it, acknowledging the end of turn effect, and not falling prey to its forced discard are essential to mastering its use. Adherence to MTG rules ensures the Jar’s potential is fully harnessed without missteps.

Tournament Play and Memory Jar

Memory Jar has had its controversies in tournament play. Its power level led to its banning in certain formats. This historical context is important for players who wish to include it in competitive play. Familiarizing yourself with the current legal status of Memory Jar within various MTG tournament formats is essential.

Deck Archetypes That Benefit from Memory Jar

Deck archetypes like storm, reanimator, and wheels benefit immensely from Memory Jar. Its explosive potential can suit multiple strategies, from chaining several spells together to discarding a graveyard’s worth of possibilities. Knowing your deck’s archetype is key to understanding whether Memory Jar would be your greatest ally or just a relic in your collection.

Trade and Collection Value

Memory Jar doesn’t just hold strategic value—it can also be a prized piece in any collector’s arsenal. Collectors and traders should be aware of its monetary value and demand within the MTG community. Its rarity and power level contribute to its trade and collection value, making it a potentially lucrative asset.

Memory Jar – A Legacy in Deck Building

Since its release, Memory Jar has carved a unique legacy in MTG deck building. The card, with its game-altering effect, has influenced several formats. Its impact on deck building, strategies, and competitive play is worthy of historical note for enthusiasts who appreciate the evolution of MTG’s meta-game.

Maximizing Potential: Tips and Tricks

Maximizing the potential of Memory Jar in your gameplay often involves creative approaches. Combining it with ‘Notion Thief’ to deny opponents their draw or using it in a ‘Mind Over Matter’ combo to untap and reuse are just some of the ways to exploit its drawing power. Understanding the card’s interactions is fundamental to propel your strategy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the rich landscapes of Magic the Gathering requires strategy, insight, and a bit of adventure. Whether you’re planning your next big win or fine-tuning your deck for maximum impact, there’s always room to elevate your game. As you continue to delve into the MTG universe, remember that it’s not just about the single triumphs but the continuous journey towards mastery. We invite you to keep exploring this fascinating world, discovering new techniques, and unearthing valuable cards to ensure your next match is more than just a game, but a Big Score. Ready to level up your play? Join us to learn more and become the ultimate MTG champion.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Memory Jar MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and From the Vault: Relics, 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 Memory Jar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Memory Jar Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-02-15Urza's LegacyULG 1291997NormalBlackDonato Giancola
22010-08-27From the Vault: RelicsV10 82003NormalBlackDonato Giancola
32014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2762015NormalBlackDonato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Memory Jar has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyBanned
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernBanned
VintageRestricted
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Memory Jar 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 You can’t look at the cards you exiled until they return to your hand.