Mercadian Atlas MTG Card

Mercadian Atlas provides consistent card draw which can greatly benefit decks that capitalize on card advantage. Its activation requirement and mana cost may deter players from its inclusion in certain deck archetypes. The card’s utility in longer games and combo potential make it a strategic choice for collection inclusion.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	305
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Frazier

Text of card

At the end of your turn, if you didn't play a land this turn, you may draw a card.

One may as well chart the clouds as try to map Mercadia.

Cards like Mercadian Atlas

Mercadian Atlas takes its place in the pantheon of card advantage engines in Magic: The Gathering, functioning somewhat like Jayemdae Tome. The Atlas requires no mana investment to draw a card but necessitates a condition to be met – the player must have no cards in hand at the end of their turn. Jayemdae Tome, conversely, offers card drawing on demand but needs a substantial mana investment for each card.

Looking at Mind’s Eye, another card with a similar role, we see an artifact that lets you pay mana whenever an opponent draws a card to draw one yourself. This can potentially provide more cards over time but at a higher and recurring cost. Temporal Aperture, while offering a different outcome by letting players shuffle their library and play the top card, shares the unpredictability of Mercadian Atlas, offering a potential resource gain at an undetermined value.

Drawing a conclusion, Mercadian Atlas has a specific niche where it shines. For decks looking to empty their hand quickly and capitalize on a steady stream of new cards, the Atlas can be invaluable, especially in a format where keeping pace with resources is critical.

Cards similar to Mercadian Atlas by color, type and mana cost

The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Mercadian Atlas allows for consistent card replenishment, adding a draw mechanic to your turn if you meet the requirements, which can swing the tide in prolonged duels.

Resource Acceleration: Supplementing your land drops, the Atlas potentially equips you with additional cards that could translate to more spells cast or larger threats played earlier than usual, enhancing your board presence.

Instant Speed: While the Atlas itself might not operate at instant speed, the cards drawn at the end of your turn could provide instant speed interactions, giving you the flexibility to adapt and respond to opponents’ actions without sacrificing your draw turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Mercadian Atlas demands that players discard a card in order to activate its ability. This can put players at a potential card disadvantage, particularly if they are already behind or in need of maintaining a full hand to respond to opponents’ threats.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific mana investment to get it on the board, which can be restrictive for multicolored or colorless decks. Decks that don’t align with the Atlas’s mana requirements may find it difficult to use effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost than some other card-drawing or deck-manipulation options, Mercadian Atlas can be a costly inclusion. Its mana cost may deter players from incorporating it into their decks, especially when there are lower-cost alternatives that provide similar or even better card advantage.

Reasons to Include Mercadian Atlas in Your Collection

Versatility: Mercadian Atlas can be a valuable asset to decks that thrive on consistent card draw. Its ability to provide you with extra cards at the end of your turn makes it a useful tool across various deck archetypes, from control to aggro.

Combo Potential: For those who enjoy crafting intricate combos, this card interacts well with strategies focused on hand-size. It can be paired with effects that reward you for a full grip or cards that benefit from discarding, opening pathways to powerful plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where games tend to stretch into longer turns, Mercadian Atlas ensures that you maintain a steady stream of resources. This can be particularly crucial in formats where grinding out value is key to outlasting the competition.

How to beat

The Mercadian Atlas card presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering, with its ability to provide a steady card advantage in the later stages of the game. To effectively counter this artifact, it’s important to disrupt the steady flow of cards it grants an opponent. Strategies that work well include artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Abrade, which can directly target and destroy the Atlas, denying your opponent the extra draw.

Moreover, implementing countermeasures that limit your opponent’s hand size can also prove effective. Cards like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek allow you to pluck key cards out of their hand, potentially preventing them from holding the required number of cards to trigger the Atlas’ ability. An alternate approach is to apply pressure with an aggressive early game, reducing the game length and thereby the Atlas’ impact.

In essence, your goal should be to either prevent the Atlas from sticking on the battlefield or to mitigate its effects by keeping your opponent’s hand size under control. Through these tactics, you can ensure that the advantage it provides is minimal, thereby neutralizing the threat it poses to your victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mercadian Atlas MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Mercadian Atlas and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mercadian Atlas 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 Mercadian Atlas 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	It only checks if you played a land. Putting a land onto the battlefield by using an effect of another card does not count as “playing a land”.