Ethersworn Canonist MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Human Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Ethersworn Canonist offers indirect card advantage by restricting opponents’ spell casting, leading to potential resource inefficiencies.
  2. Its instant-speed impact forces immediate adaptation, providing you with instant-speed disruption benefits.
  3. The Canonist’s specific mana cost may limit its inclusion in certain decks, requiring careful deck-building consideration.

Text of card

Each player who has played a nonartifact spell this turn can't play additional nonartifact spells.

"The noble work of our order is to infuse all life on Esper with etherium. Our goal will be reached more rapidly if new life is . . . suppressed."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Ethersworn Canonist itself does not directly provide card draw, it forces opponents to carefully consider their spell casting, potentially leading to a card advantage as they may end up with unused resources or an overflowing hand.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact creature may not directly ramp your mana, but by slowing down others’ ability to cast multiple spells, it indirectly accelerates your own resource utilization, allowing you to outpace your opponents in developing your board state.

Instant Speed: Since Ethersworn Canonist affects the battlefield as soon as it hits the table, it modifies game dynamics at the speed of an instant. Players must immediately adapt to the new one-spell-per-turn rule, offering you the advantage of instant-speed disruption without needing to hold mana in reserve for traditional instant spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not directly requiring a discard, Ethersworn Canonist’s restriction on nonartifact spells can leave you with an unwanted hand if you’re unable to meet its condition, indirectly forcing discards to refresh your options.

Specific Mana Cost: The Canonist has a specific mana requirement of one white, which might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored or colorless heavy decks, potentially limiting its playability across various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only two mana, in some cases, it can be a significant early-game investment, particularly in aggressive or streamlined strategies that aim to deploy multiple spells in a single turn.


Reasons to Include Ethersworn Canonist in Your Collection

Versatility: Ethersworn Canonist is not just for artifact-themed decks; it offers a unique form of board control that can fit into various archetypes seeking to limit opponents’ spell casting, thereby leveling the playing field against combo or storm strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in environments where you can benefit from its rule-enforcement ability while circumventing the restrictions yourself. It combos well with cards that allow you to cheat on the rules, reinforcing your own strategy while disrupting others.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that often sees players unleashing a multitude of spells in a single turn, Ethersworn Canonist remains a formidable check against such explosive plays. Its presence in your collection means you have a direct answer to fast-paced and spell-heavy decks, keeping the competitive landscape in check.


How to beat

Ethersworn Canonist is an iconic piece in Magic the Gathering, basking in its ability to limit players to casting just one non-artifact spell each turn. This white creature can lock down an opponent’s game if they’re not ready for it. Overcoming this obstacle requires strategic planning and the right cards. Cards that can remove creatures are your best bet. Artifact removal won’t impact the Canonist directly but can clear the way for your non-artifact spells in the following turns. Board wipes are also effective, as they reset the playing field.

Using instant-speed spells during your opponent’s turn can help you navigate around the Canonist’s restrictions. Moreover, creatures with flash can be summoned as though they were instants, so they serve as another way to effectively play around the Canonist’s limitations. Additionally, having a deck that inherently plays numerous artifact spells can naturally outmaneuver the constraints imposed by Ethersworn Canonist. Lastly, patience is key; if you can build your resources and wait for the right moment to deal with this card, you’ll find success. It’s all about timing and exploiting your natural turn sequences to your advantage.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the strategic depth of MTG can be as thrilling as it is complex, and cards like Ethersworn Canonist showcase this beautifully. Understanding its nuances not only enhances your gameplay but can pivot the tide of battle in your favor. Every deck presents a new challenge, and with the right knowledge, you’ll deftly maneuver through opponent’s strategies. We encourage you to broaden your MTG acumen and invite you to delve deeper into the intricate dance of deck building and game mechanics. Ready to refine your strategy and expand your collection? Let’s uncover more insights together and turn your next play into a masterstroke.


Cards like Ethersworn Canonist

Ethersworn Canonist is a unique piece in the puzzle of MTG artifact creatures. It’s often compared to spell-limiting cards like Rule of Law, which also restricts players to one spell per turn. However, Ethersworn Canonist allows for an additional artifact spell, providing a niche advantage in artifact-heavy decks. This attribute strategically positions it for decks looking to capitalize on both creature presence and the artifact synergy.

Eidolon of Rhetoric is another creature card that draws a parallel to Ethersworn Canonist, with a similar one-spell-per-turn limitation. The difference lies in Eidolon’s applicability in any deck with white mana, compared to Canonist’s requirement of white and a secondary color due to its hybrid mana cost. Then there’s Arcane Laboratory, an enchantment with a similar restrictive effect. The Canonist holds an edge over Arcane Laboratory as it doubles as a creature and can be more easily included in artifact-themed strategies.

In sum, while there are various cards with effects that echo that of Ethersworn Canonist, its particular meld of creature utility and artifact synergies allows it to carve out a distinct role, making it an intriguing option for players in MTG looking to streamline their decks with precision and strategy.

Rule of Law - MTG Card versions
Eidolon of Rhetoric - MTG Card versions
Arcane Laboratory - MTG Card versions
Rule of Law - Mirrodin (MRD)
Eidolon of Rhetoric - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Arcane Laboratory - Urza's Saga (USG)

Cards similar to Ethersworn Canonist by color, type and mana cost

Marble Diamond - MTG Card versions
Lion Sash - MTG Card versions
Dancing Sword - MTG Card versions
Kayla's Music Box - MTG Card versions
Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms - MTG Card versions
Leonin Sun Standard - MTG Card versions
Healer's Headdress - MTG Card versions
Metallurgeon - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Mending - MTG Card versions
Cathedral Membrane - MTG Card versions
Gold Myr - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Kitchen Sink - MTG Card versions
Jackknight - MTG Card versions
Old Guard - MTG Card versions
Glass Casket - MTG Card versions
Shining Armor - MTG Card versions
Cogworker's Puzzleknot - MTG Card versions
Ancestral Blade - MTG Card versions
Valkyrie's Sword - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Prototype - MTG Card versions
Marble Diamond - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB)
Lion Sash - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Dancing Sword - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Kayla's Music Box - The Brothers' War Commander (BRC)
Halvar, God of Battle // Sword of the Realms - Kaldheim Promos (PKHM)
Leonin Sun Standard - Mirrodin (MRD)
Healer's Headdress - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Metallurgeon - Archenemy (ARC)
Trigon of Mending - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Cathedral Membrane - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Gold Myr - Neon Dynasty Commander (NEC)
Knight of the Kitchen Sink - Unstable (UST)
Jackknight - The List (Unfinity Foil Edition) (ULST)
Old Guard - Unsanctioned (UND)
Glass Casket - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)
Shining Armor - The List (PLST)
Cogworker's Puzzleknot - Kaladesh Remastered (KLR)
Ancestral Blade - Commander Masters (CMM)
Valkyrie's Sword - Kaldheim (KHM)
Arcbound Prototype - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ethersworn Canonist MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Magic Online Theme Decks, 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 Ethersworn Canonist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ethersworn Canonist Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Izzy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 102003normalblackIzzy
22010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 B32003normalblackIzzy
32013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 142003normalblackIzzy
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 142015normalblackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ethersworn Canonist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ethersworn Canonist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-08-07 Each turn, each player can cast any number of artifact spells plus a maximum of one nonartifact spell.
2020-08-07 Ethersworn Canonist takes into account spells that were cast earlier in the turn before Ethersworn Canonist entered the battlefield, including any spells that are somehow still on the stack. However, any spells on the stack as Ethersworn Canonist enters the battlefield have already been cast by that point, so they're not affected by it.

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