Mox Emerald MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 261
1993-10-04 - Number 262
1993-12-01 - Number 262
1993-12-10 - Number 262
1993-12-10 - Number 262
2003-01-01 - Number 2009
2003-01-01 - Number 2021A
2003-01-01 - Number 2015
2014-06-16 - Number 5
2022-10-05 - Number 36
2022-11-28 - Number 258
2022-11-28 - Number 555
2002-06-24 - Number 46896
| Card sets | Released in 13 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
Add 1 green mana to your mana pool. Tapping this artifact can be played as an interrupt.
Cards like Mox Emerald
Examining the Mox Emerald, one of the original five Moxen from the Power Nine, its virtuosity lies in providing an immediate mana boost without the drawback of entering the battlefield tapped. A comparison could be drawn to the likes of Mana Crypt, which offers a similar two mana advantage but risks inflicting damage to the player. Both cards exemplify the value of early game acceleration, yet Mox Emerald’s ability to furnish mana without any potential for self-harm solidifies its premium status.
Mox Diamond also mirrors the Mox Emerald’s potential to provide mana instantly, but it comes at the cost of discarding a land card. While both foster swift mana acceleration, the Mox Emerald stands out for its ability to enrich the board without any sacrifice. Sol Ring, another classic staple for mana ramp, delivers two colorless mana for one, but it fails to offer the color fidelity inherent to the emerald-hued Mox.
Considering these alternatives, the Mox Emerald persistently shines as a beacon of efficiency and reliability in MTG, effortlessly introducing an additional green mana to the fray without downside, thus maintaining its legendary status in decks that pursue a decisive mana advantage from the game’s outset.
Cards similar to Mox Emerald by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Mox Emerald. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lurrus Saga | Vintage | Lurrus Saga | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
 | Prison Shops | Vintage | Prison Shops | Vintage League 2024-04-28 |
| Jewel Shops | Vintage | Jewel Shops | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
| Boros Prison | Vintage | Red Prison | Vintage League 2024-05-01 |
| Mono-White Initiative | Vintage | Mono-White Initiative | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
| Oath of Druids | Vintage | Oath of Druids | Vintage League 2024-04-29 |
 | Selesnya Aggro | Vintage | Mono-White Aggro | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
| Sultai Midrange | Vintage | Sultai Midrange | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-28 |
| Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage | Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage League 2024-04-28 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mox Emerald stands out by its ability to increase your accessible resources without costing you a card from your hand, contributing positively to your overall card advantage. This power keeps your hand robust while you advance your board state.
Resource Acceleration: By tapping for one green mana the moment it hits the battlefield, Mox Emerald propels your gameplay with unprecedented resource acceleration. Often, this allows you to cast higher cost cards or activate abilities earlier than usual, giving you a significant edge over your opponents.
Instant Speed: Although the Mox Emerald is not an instant itself, it facilitates instant speed plays. By providing an additional mana resource without the summoning sickness associated with creatures or the entry restrictions of lands, it keeps your mana pool flexible, ready to cast spells or utilize abilities at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the context of Mox Emerald, while there’s no direct discard requirement, its presence can sometimes force a player to make tough decisions about what to keep in hand, particularly when facing down discard spells or effects from an opponent that target “artifact” cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Although Mox Emerald adds a green mana to your mana pool, which is beneficial for decks that require green mana, it can be a less flexible option for multicolored decks that need other types of mana more urgently. This can hinder the card’s utility in certain deck builds that are not heavily green-centric.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the Mox Emerald’s status as a zero-cost artifact that provides a tremendous upside by not consuming your land drop, it does not have a high mana cost itself. However, in environments where high-powered cards are the norm, such as Vintage, the “opportunity cost” of including Mox Emerald over another potential card needs to be considered, especially since it does not directly contribute to a deck’s offensive or defensive capabilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Mox Emerald is a powerhouse in the realm of mana acceleration, fitting effortlessly into a multitude of decks. Its ability to provide an additional green mana each turn without the drawback of entering the battlefield tapped makes it invaluable for ramping strategies and color-fixing alike.
Combo Potential: This card is not just a simple mana rock, it feeds into powerful combos. Integrating seamlessly with cards that untap artifacts or benefit from the casting of numerous spells in a turn, Mox Emerald can be the linchpin in an intricate combo engine, leading to game-winning plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given its status as a vintage staple, the Mox Emerald has enduring relevance in formats where it’s legal. Its presence can dictate the pace of the game, often providing the crucial edge needed to outmaneuver opponents in a competitive environment.
How to beat
The iconic Mox Emerald card is recognized among Magic: The Gathering aficionados for its ability to provide a distinct advantage with its zero mana cost and instant access to green mana. Its presence can significantly alter the course of the game, granting an extra mana boost that can be used right from turn one. This accelerates the player’s game plan, enabling them to play high-cost cards earlier than usual.
To counteract the Mox Emerald, one must be strategic in resource denial and artifact removal. Cards like Stony Silence can disable Mox Emerald’s mana ability, while proactive denial strategies using cards such as Null Rod can keep the artifact from being activated altogether. The key lies in disrupting the opponent’s mana acceleration, rendering their Mox Emerald ineffective before they can fully capitalize on its power surge. Considering this, players must prioritize efficient removal spells or abilities within their strategy to ensure they are not overpowered by such a potent mana accelerator.
Overall, understanding the incredible impact Mox Emerald can have on the game is crucial for any MTG player looking to successfully navigate through matches where this powerful card is in play. Effective countermeasures are essential to prevent opponents from exploiting its game-warping advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mox Emerald MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Mox Emerald 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Mox Emerald Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 261 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 262 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 262 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 262 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 262 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 6 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 46896 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | ||
| 7 | 2003-01-01 | Vintage Championship | OVNT | 2009 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 8 | 2003-01-01 | Vintage Championship | OVNT | 2021A | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Wilkerson | |
| 9 | 2003-01-01 | Vintage Championship | OVNT | 2015 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raoul Vitale | |
| 10 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 5 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 11 | 2022-10-05 | Alchemy: Dominaria | YDMU | 36 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 12 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 258 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 555 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mox Emerald has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Restricted |
| Commander | Banned |
| Legacy | Banned |
| Oathbreaker | Banned |
| Vintage | Restricted |
| Duel | Banned |
| Predh | Banned |