Onyx Talisman MTG Card

Offers card advantage and strategic depth with additional draws and instant-speed activation. Provides mana acceleration but demands black mana and a discard, limiting deck compatibility. Enhances combo potential and remains relevant across various metagames, offering utility.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Number	331
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Sandra Everingham

Text of card

o3: Untap target permanent. Use this ability only when a black spell is successfully cast and only once for each black spell cast.

Cards like Onyx Talisman

The Onyx Talisman is a unique piece in Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of artifacts, providing a flavor of strategic depth to gameplay. It bears some similarity to cards like Darksteel Ingot, both serving as versatile mana accelerators that can be invaluable in multi-color decks. However, Onyx Talisman stands out with its more selective mana generation tied to a specific card type, offering a tailored advantage in decks designed around it.

Mana Cylix is another artifact that echoes the utility of mana filtering found in Onyx Talisman. While Mana Cylix can convert any type of mana, the Onyx Talisman’s affinity for transforming only nonland sources into any color gives it a nuanced edge for certain strategies. Additionally, the talisman’s inherent synergy with spells and the dynamic nature of its mana production can be a game-changer in the right deck.

Assessing the utility and unique attributes of such artifacts, the Onyx Talisman holds a strong position in Magic: The Gathering’s card pool. Its specialized mana conversion capability suits particular play styles, making it more than just an average mana artifact in the eyes of strategic players.

Cards similar to Onyx Talisman by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Onyx Talisman offers players the potential to draw additional cards, which bolsters hand size and increases strategic options during a match. The card synergy it provides can lead to gaining ground over opponents through superior card economy.

Resource Acceleration: For players seeking to ramp up their resources, Onyx Talisman can provide valuable mana acceleration. This makes it easier to deploy costly spells sooner than expected, giving players a crucial speed advantage in the race to establish board dominance.

Instant Speed: The capability to activate Onyx Talisman at instant speed gives players the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s moves or to end their own turn with a flourish of strategic depth. This adaptability ensures that the player can make the most of their mana without committing prematurely, keeping opponents on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Onyx Talisman insists that you pitch another card to unlock its potential. This demand can backfire when your hand is already stretched thin, straining your ability to capitalize on its benefits and maintain an upper hand.

Specific Mana Cost: The artifact demands a precise infusion of black mana. This inflexibility means only decks steeped in swamp power can harness its dark gifts, potentially excluding a diverse range of strategies that thrive on a more varied mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at three mana, Onyx Talisman’s price isn’t light, especially when compared to the cosmos of alternatives. Its activation cost also competes for resources that could otherwise be allocated to more immediate threats or defenses, making it a less practical choice in fast-paced duels.

Reasons to Include Onyx Talisman in Your Collection

Versatility: Onyx Talisman is a card that can slip into a variety of deck archetypes with ease. Its ability to provide incremental advantage over time makes it a solid choice for both aggressive and control strategies alike, offering a sustainable source of mana generation or spell enhancement.

Combo Potential: With the Onyx Talisman, players can unlock new combo avenues as it synergizes with cards that depend on artifacts or increased mana production. Whether it’s fueling a powerful, game-ending spell or enabling an artifact-centric engine, the Talisman’s utility in combo settings is undeniable.

Meta-Relevance: Given that many MTG players now focus on optimizing their plays and strategies, the Onyx Talisman meets the demands of various metagames. By offering both utility and flexibility, it keeps pace within environments where every card choice counts toward achieving victory.

How to beat

Onyx Talisman is a card that can have a substantial impact on the board state in a game of MTG. While its power is acknowledged, there are numerous strategies one can employ to diminish its influence. Artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize are straightforward solutions, swiftly and efficiently dispatching the Talisman. Players can also opt for more all-encompassing options like Shatterstorm or Vandalblast that can deal with the Talisman and other problematic artifacts simultaneously.

An alternative approach is to reduce the Talisman’s effectiveness by controlling the card draw. Cards like Narset, Parter of Veils or Notion Thief can significantly inhibit opponents from benefiting from extra draws, which indirectly lessens the value provided by the Onyx Talisman. Lastly, competing for board presence with robust creatures or utilizing direct damage spells to maintain a life total out of reach are viable tactics as well. Proper planning and understanding of your own deck’s capabilities are crucial in navigating around the challenges posed by Onyx Talisman.

In essence, comprehensive knowledge of your deck’s tools and potential answers is key to overcoming the potential advantages granted by Onyx Talisman in MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Onyx Talisman MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Onyx Talisman and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Onyx Talisman has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal