Ancient Den MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Land

Key Takeaways

  1. Ancient Den enables seamless execution of spells, enhancing the flexibility of a player’s strategy.
  2. It accelerates resources and synergizes with artifact-dependent decks, pushing strategic boundaries.
  3. Despite some inflexibility with mana colors, its unique capabilities make it a worthy addition.

Text of card

(Ancient Den isn't a spell.) : Add to your mana pool.

Taj-Nar, throne of Raksha Golden Cub, destined leader of the leonin prides.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ancient Den doesn’t directly offer card draw, but as a land that taps for mana without the usual downside of coming into play tapped, it keeps your hand free to play other cards that can create card advantage. This allows players to maintain a more fluid and adaptable strategy throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: As part of the artifact land subtype, Ancient Den is a potent example of resource acceleration in MTG. Not only does it provide a mana boost by being an additional land on the field, but it also counts as an artifact which can be crucial in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies.

Instant Speed: While Ancient Den itself isn’t an instant, it facilitates the use of instant speed spells by providing an additional mana source that can be used immediately since it’s not subject to summoning sickness like creatures. This allows for unexpected plays and more strategic depth when deciding how to utilize your mana during both your turn and your opponent’s.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Ancient Den doesn’t directly ask players to discard, it’s part of the Affinity for Artifacts mechanic that often necessitates having many artifacts in play. This could indirectly pressure players into playing more artifacts than they might want, potentially leading to disadvantageous discards to sustain artifact count.

Specific Mana Cost: Ancient Den provides colorless mana which is less flexible for decks that require specific colors for casting spells. This could be problematic in mana-hungry decks that need access to multiple colors of mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Ancient Den is a non-basic land, it competes with other utility lands that also tap for colorless mana but may offer additional benefits or conditions that are less restrictive or more in line with a deck’s strategy, making it a potentially costly inclusion.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ancient Den has the unique ability to tap for mana while also being an artifact, which makes it a perfect fit for decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or require a mana bump without sacrificing the artifact count.

Combo Potential: This land plays a crucial role in any deck that seeks to leverage the power of cards like “Tempered Steel” or “Atog,” as it counts towards the artifact count while being a reliable mana source.

Meta-Relevance: Given its dual nature, Ancient Den remains relevant in metas where artifacts are key. It’s especially potent in formats like Commander or Pauper, where it can enhance both mana consistency and strategy depth.


How to beat

The iconic Ancient Den card in MTG is a fundamental piece in decks that leverage the power of artifacts. This land card, part of the potent cycle known as artifact lands, fits seamlessly into strategies that ramp up the affinity for artifacts or empower metalcraft abilities. In many cases, having an Ancient Den on the field may feel like an unstoppable advantage due to its synergy with artifacts.

To effectively neutralize the impact of Ancient Den, consider incorporating artifact removal spells in your deck. Cards like Shatterstorm or Kataki, War’s Wage can disrupt an opponent’s artifact-based strategy, effectively minimizing the productivity of their Ancient Den. Another strategy involves land destruction or denial, utilizing spells like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin to specifically target and dismantle the Ancient Den. This approach can be critical, especially against decks reliant on artifact synergies.

Ultimately, beating a deck with Ancient Den hinges on understanding the role it plays within your opponent’s strategy. By predicting and disrupting their synergy chains, you can diminish the potency of the Ancient Den and gain a strategic edge, maintaining control of the match and pushing towards victory.


Cards like Ancient Den

Ancient Den is a unique piece among land cards in MTG. As part of the artifact land series, it taps for one white mana, echoing the utility of basic Plains. Its niche lies in its dual identity as both land and artifact, which serves a dual purpose in relevant decks. It’s reminiscent of Darksteel Citadel, which provides indestructible insurance, though it taps for colorless. For decks emphasizing metalcraft or artifact synergies, Great Furnace serves a similar role but produces red mana instead.

Seat of the Synod is another artifact land comparable in concept, enabling blue mana and engaging with cards that care about artifact count. However, unlike Ancient Den, which supports white’s design of community and order, Seat of the Synod leans into blue’s theme of intellect and manipulation. Tree of Tales enters the discussion, tapping for green mana and extending the artifact land paradigm into the realm of growth and nature within the game.

While each has its place in specialized strategies, Ancient Den holds its own in the pantheon of MTG lands with its inherent versatility and synergy with white mana artifact-centric decks.

Darksteel Citadel - MTG Card versions
Great Furnace - MTG Card versions
Seat of the Synod - MTG Card versions
Tree of Tales - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Citadel - Darksteel (DST)
Great Furnace - Mirrodin (MRD)
Seat of the Synod - Mirrodin (MRD)
Tree of Tales - Mirrodin (MRD)

Cards similar to Ancient Den by color, type and mana cost

Mox Pearl - MTG Card versions
Mox Pearl - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ancient Den MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Ancient Den and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ancient Den Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 2782003normalblackRob Alexander
22004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 mb2782003normalgoldRob Alexander
32009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 1302003normalblackRob Alexander
42011-05-14Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New PhyrexiaTD2 362003normalblackRob Alexander
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 16522003normalblackRob Alexander
62019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 3002015normalborderlessDXTR
72020-09-26The ListPLST MRD-2782003normalblackRob Alexander
82021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 4031997normalblackRob Alexander
92021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2762015normalblackRob Alexander
102022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1721997normalblackMuhammad Firdaus

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ancient Den has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernBanned
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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