Meticulous Archive MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 264
2024-02-09 - Number 328
2024-02-10 - Number 264p
2024-02-10 - Number 264s
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land — Plains Island |
| Abilities | Surveil |
Text of card
(: Add or .) Meticulous Archive enters the battlefield tapped. When Meticulous Archive enters the battlefield, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.)
Cards like Meticulous Archive
As players browse through the numerous options for library manipulation in Magic: The Gathering, Meticulous Archive emerges as an intriguing choice. When considering similar cards, Brainstorm instantly comes up, which allows a player to draw three cards and put two back on top of their library. Meticulous Archive, however, provides perpetual card selection, enabling a player to plan ahead every turn without the immediate card advantage Brainstorm offers.
Another card that relates closely in terms of strategy is Sensei’s Divining Top. This artifact also enables players to look at the top three cards and rearrange them, but unlike Meticulous Archive, it can be used multiple times per turn at the cost of one mana each time. Meticulous Archive stands out due to its static ability that activates during your upkeep, allowing for a consistent setup of your upcoming draws at no additional cost.
When viewing these options, it’s apparent that while Meticulous Archive may not offer the instant gratification of others like Brainstorm or the flexibility of Sensei’s Divining Top, it provides a steady and cost-effective method for sculpting the perfect draw each turn. Essentially, for consistent gameplay progression, Meticulous Archive is a reliable and strategic card to consider adding to your deck.
Cards similar to Meticulous Archive by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Meticulous Archive. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Control | Standard | Azorius Control | Standard Preliminary 2024-04-24 |
| Azorius Artifacts | Standard | Azorius Artifacts | Pro Tour Thunder Junction |
 | Dimir Reanimator | Standard | Dimir Reanimator | Pro Tour Thunder Junction |
 | Grinding Station | Modern | Grinding Station | Modern League 2024-04-25 |
 | Esper Stoneblade | Legacy | Esper Stoneblade | Legacy League 2024-04-25 |
| Cephalid Breakfast | Legacy | Cephalid Breakfast | Legacy League 2024-04-25 |
| Bant Control | Modern | Bant Control | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-24 (1) |
 | Beanstalk Control | Legacy | Beanstalk Control | Legacy Preliminary 2024-04-24 |
| Domain Zoo | Modern | Domain Zoo | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-24 |
 | Esper Control | Modern | Esper Control | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-24 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Meticulous Archive, players receive the undeniable benefit of sifting through their decks at an accelerated pace, thus securing the cards they need when they need them. This translates into a more consistent gaming experience, ensuring strategic plays are always within reach.
Resource Acceleration: The ability of this card to untap lands provides a surge in available resources, which, in turn, allows for more spells to be cast within a shorter timeframe. This can lead to a significant advantage as players outpace their opponents in both tempo and tactical deployment of their strategies.
Instant Speed: The flexibility this card offers by operating at instant speed cannot be overstated. This attribute provides the player with the power to react to an opponent’s actions during their turn, which is crucial for maintaining control over the game’s flow and protecting oneself from unexpected threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The built-in requirement of Meticulous Archive to discard a card can turn into a drawback, particularly during the late game when each card in hand is vital for maintaining an advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Meticulous Archive demands a precise mana arrangement to cast, which can sometimes clash with the color flexibility desired in multicolor decks, potentially resulting in a stranded card in hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you weigh the mana investment against the card’s functionality, Meticulous Archive may seem costly. There are alternative cards that could provide either a similar or more impactful effect, such as card draw or graveyard manipulation, for a lower mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Meticulous Archive in Your Collection
Versatility: Meticulous Archive is not just a one-trick card. It’s utility in card selection and its ability to shuffle the graveyard back into your library makes it a flexible addition to a range of deck types, from control to combo.
Combo Potential: This card opens up possibilities for repeatable combos. It synergizes with strategies that leverage drawing cards or graveyard manipulation to unlock powerful plays and outmaneuver opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to go long and resource management is key, Meticulous Archive shines. It’s particularly potent in formats where it’s important to recycle key spells or creatures to maintain an advantage over your rivals.
How to beat
Meticulous Archive presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, allowing players to delve into what can be a substantial reservoir of spells in the graveyard. Beating this artifact is all about timing and strategic resource management. To disrupt this potent source of strategic advantage, consider cards that specifically target artifacts, such as naturalize or other artifact elimination spells, to remove it from play before it can be activated.
Another effective strategy is to apply pressure through aggressive plays that force the Meticulous Archive controller to defend rather than set up the conditions required to make optimal use of the card. Employing graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can also impede the card’s efficacy by stripping the graveyard of resources essential for its activation.
Ultimately, while Meticulous Archive can be a game changer, countering it demands a blend of foresight, precise play, and a deck equipped with the right answers or distractions. It’s an MTG card that requires respect but can be managed with a well-constructed strategy and a cool head under pressure.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Meticulous Archive MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Meticulous Archive 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 Meticulous Archive Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 264 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sam Burley | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 328 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Sergey Glushakov | |
| 3 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 264p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sam Burley | |
| 4 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 264s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sam Burley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Meticulous Archive has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |