Navigation Orb MTG Card


Navigation Orb ensures strategic card draws but requires discarding, impacting hand size. It offers instant speed manipulation but has a specific and potentially limiting mana cost. While versatile and meta-relevant, its higher casting cost may deter some players.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

, , Sacrifice Navigation Orb: Search your library for up to two basic land cards and/or Gate cards, reveal those cards, put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other into your hand, then shuffle.

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Cards like Navigation Orb

Navigation Orb stands as an intriguing artifact in Magic: The Gathering, similar in some ways to other cards that manipulate the top of a player’s library. Comparably, Crystal Ball offers a scrying ability, allowing players to fine-tune upcoming draws albeit at a higher activation cost. However, Navigation Orb provides the unique advantage of potentially freezing an opponent’s deck, disrupting their strategy in a subtle but effective manner.

Another card that echoes the strategic library manipulation of Navigation Orb is Ghoulcaller’s Bell. This artifact rings in with the shared concept of controlling both the player’s and the opponent’s deck flow. The difference lies in Ghoulcaller’s Bell affecting each player equally, whereas Navigation Orb can selectively target an adversary. Then there’s Codex Shredder, which offers recurring deck filtration for its controller but also carries the utility to return a card from the graveyard to the hand – a versatility that Navigation Orb does not have.

Like pieces of a complex puzzle, each of these artifacts carves its niche in MTG, with Navigation Orb offering a strategic edge in disrupting an opponent’s draw, potentially swaying the tide of a game by what lies—or doesn’t lie—atop their deck.

Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller's Bell - MTG Card versions
Codex Shredder - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Ghoulcaller's Bell - MTG Card versions
Codex Shredder - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Navigation Orb by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
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Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Navigation Orb offers a nuanced form of card advantage in MTG, allowing you to subtly manipulate the top card of your library to ensure you’re more likely to draw into valuable spells or lands that you need, enhancing your strategic plays during a match.

Resource Acceleration: While the Navigation Orb itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, it plays an essential role in smoothing out your draws. This can indirectly lead to better resource utilization by increasing the chances of drawing into ramp or mana-fixing cards that can accelerate your game plan.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate the Navigation Orb at instant speed gives you significant flexibility. You can respond to your opponents’ actions by adjusting the top of your library accordingly or use the ability during their end step to set up for your turn, all without compromising your option to cast other spells at crucial moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Navigation Orb demands players to discard another card when using its ability. This can deplete hand resources, which might put the player at a disadvantage, especially in tight game situations where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Activating the full potential of Navigation Orb requires a committed mana base. Its various colored mana costs necessitate a deck that can reliably generate multiple types of mana, potentially restricting its inclusion in more color-restricted or budget decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is not insignificant, some players might find the initial investment in Navigation Orb too steep. In formats where efficiency is key, its cost may outweigh the strategic advantage gained, especially when cheaper alternatives for deck manipulation are available.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Navigation Orb works well across various deck archetypes. Its ability to manipulate the library ensures that any strategy reliant on deck optimization can leverage this card to improve consistency.

Combo Potential: This card fits neatly into combos involving library manipulation or as a puzzle piece in artifact-centric decks that capitalize on synergies, enabling intricate plays that can turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where games are often decided by accessing key cards quickly, Navigation Orb provides a significant advantage. Its use can be particularly impactful against opponents reliant on specific strategies, as it can disrupt their game-plan while enhancing your own.


How to beat Navigation Orb

Navigation Orb enters the MTG arena as a unique artifact, presenting a challenge to players who face it on the battlefield. Dealing with this card requires an understanding of its mechanism – the ability to manipulate the library and provide an advantage in the match. A crucial strategy to overcome such an artifact lies in employing targeted removal spells or abilities. These can directly destroy or exile Navigation Orb, such as Disenchant or Abrade, which neatly bypass the protection it tends to grant creatures.

Another effective tactic is to counteract the Orb’s ability to stack your opponent’s deck with cards like Codex Shredder, which permits you to tamper with the top card of your opponent’s library, disrupting the setup the Orb aims to achieve. Alternatively, introducing instant-speed library shuffling effects with cards like Field of Ruin can also negate the anticipated top-deck manipulation that Navigation Orb offers. Thus, pacing your responses and remaining vigilant over the board state are key to neutralizing the Orb’s influence on the game’s outcome.

In essence, by prioritizing the elimination of Navigation Orb or undermining its library-stacking effects, players can maintain a competitive edge and dilute the impact of this potent artifact in their MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the intriguing gameplay mechanics of MTG with the Navigation Orb. This artifact offers unique library manipulation, providing a strategic edge in various formats. Whether refining your deck’s consistency with skilled card selection or disrupting opponents’ plans, understanding and utilizing the nuances of the Navigation Orb can be a game-changer. Be it through enhancing combos or crafting a balanced mana base to harness its full power, consider adding this multifaceted artifact to your repertoire. Keen to optimize your strategies and outmaneuver the competition? Explore our insights and evolve your gameplay with Navigation Orb.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Navigation Orb MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Navigation Orb and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Navigation Orb Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Robin Olausson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 3292015NormalBlackRobin Olausson
22022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 2622015NormalBlackRobin Olausson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Navigation Orb has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal