Oltec Archaeologists MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Artificer Scout |
| Abilities | Scry |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 27 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Winona Nelson |
Text of card
When Oltec Archaeologists enters the battlefield, choose one — • Return target artifact card from your graveyard to your hand. • Scry 3. (Look at the top three cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom and the rest on top in any order.)
Cards like Oltec Archaeologists
Oltec Archaeologists play an interesting role in MTG’s array of niche utility creatures. They bear resemblance to cards like Cartographer’s Hawk, which also interacts with land cards in the player’s graveyard, though the Hawk focuses on retrieving them directly to the battlefield. Where Oltec Archaeologists stand out is their ability to safely tuck lands into your hand, providing a steadier albeit slower form of land recursion.
Another parallel can be drawn to Tilling Treefolk, which has a similar return lands from the graveyard to hand effect. The primary difference lies in the Treefolk’s ability to fetch two lands upon entering the battlefield without further costs, while the Archaeologists necessitate a recurring mana investment. Still, the Archaeologists boast a greater resilience due to their shroud ability, preventing opponents from targeting them easily. Then there’s the experienced Nostalgic Dreams, which exchanges cards in hand for a potentially greater number of lands from the graveyard, yet this is at the expense of card quantity in hand.
In evaluating the synergy and the tactical advantages of land-oriented cards, Oltec Archaeologists present a unique combination of durability and gradual land retrieval that could complement various MTG decks looking to capitalize on land strategies.
Cards similar to Oltec Archaeologists by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Oltec Archaeologists. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Five-color | Free form | Torino Tournament - Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Oltec Archaeologists offers the potential for significant card advantage, particularly in matchups where artifacts are prevalent. It allows you to selectively recover key artifacts from your graveyard, ensuring that your best tools are available when you need them.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the ability to return an artifact to your hand can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. This is particularly impactful if the retrieved artifact has a mana-generating ability or can be sacrificed for other benefits, effectively creating a loop that accelerates your in-game resources over time.
Instant Speed: The power to use Oltec Archaeologists’ ability at instant speed should not be underestimated. This permits you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, recovering the perfect artifact in response to your opponent’s actions or during their end step, keeping your options open and your strategy flexible.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Oltec Archaeologists necessitate pitching another card from your hand, which could deplete valuable resources and weaken your hand, especially if you are already playing from behind.
Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a precise mana combination that includes white, the card might not easily slot into multicolored or splashable deck archetypes, possibly limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment required to summon Oltec Archaeologists can be steep compared to other options available. For a card that primarily offers graveyard interaction, there may be alternative cards with similar effects but at a lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Oltec Archaeologists can be an excellent addition for decks that thrive on graveyard interaction or artifact synergies, as it allows players to bring back key pieces from the graveyard to their hand.
Combo Potential: With its ability to recover artifacts from the graveyard, Oltec Archaeologists have the potential to combo with cards that sacrifice artifacts for benefit, ensuring a continuous resource loop.
Meta-Relevance: Given its nature as a recurrence engine for artifacts, this card could be highly relevant in metas where artifacts play a crucial role or in commander games where recurring various artifacts is often a path to victory.
How to beat
Oltec Archaeologists, while not a dominant force in MTG, present a nifty challenge when on the opposite side of the board. Functioning essentially as a recurring source of card advantage, they can slowly tilt the game in your opponent’s favor if left unchecked. Their strength lies in their ability to resurrect artifacts from the graveyard, bringing a strategic layer to decks that focus heavily on these types of permanents.
Countering this card’s advantage requires an approach that limits graveyard interactions. Direct removal spells capable of exiling such as Path to Exile or Leyline of the Void prove effective here, preventing the Archaeologists from reaching into the treasure-trove of the graveyard. Reducing their impact also involves keeping artifact count low or having ways to manage artifacts that hit the graveyard, perhaps with cards like Relic of Progenitus which clears entire graveyards at once.
Your strategy should involve preemptive measures as well as responses. Dependent on the deck you’re piloting, adjust your tactics to stifle your opponent’s plans while advancing your own. In doing so, the value Oltec Archaeologists bring is mitigated, allowing for a steady course towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Oltec Archaeologists MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Oltec Archaeologists 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Oltec Archaeologists has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |