Oracle en-Vec MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Released | 1997-10-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Tempest |
| Set code | TMP |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 31 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dan Frazier |
Text of card
oc T: Target opponent chooses any number of creatures he or she controls. During that player's next turn, those creatures attack if able, and no other creatures can attack. At the end of that turn, destroy each of those creatures that did not attack. Use this ability only during your turn.
Understanding Oracle en-Vec
The Oracle en-Vec stands out in the scope of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Unique in its strategic function, it presents a different approach compared to others in its class. This card bears similarity to the mechanics of iconic creatures like Mother of Runes, which also offers a means of protection but targets creatures specifically and enables them to dodge spells or block unharmed.
Cards like Oracle en-Vec
When directly comparing Oracle en-Vec with others of its kind, we see paralleled strategies at play. Take for instance, the card Flickerwisp. It also manipulates the battlefield but does so by exiling other creatures temporarily, potentially upsetting opponent plans or saving your own assets temporarily. Meanwhile, Stonecloaker shares this idea of board manipulation but through a different mechanic, offering creature bouncing and graveyard interaction, all while coming with its own body to assist on board.
Oracle en-Vec distinguishes itself with a focus on tactical foresight, requiring players to predict combat outcomes and cast spells or activate abilities only at specific times. While it doesn’t remove threats permanently like Flickerwisp, or impact the graveyard like Stonecloaker, it provides a consistent means to sway combat in your favor with its selective prevention ability.
Strategically chosen, Oracle en-Vec can be a game-changer by enabling refined control over combat phases, something that’s indispensable in formats that heavily rely on combat interactions.
Cards similar to Oracle en-Vec by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Oracle en-Vec shines in decks focused on card advantage by allowing you to selectively anticipate an opponent’s moves and potentially nullify their threats without losing cards from hand.
Resource Acceleration: While it may not directly ramp your mana like other cards, its ability to force a play means you effectively accelerate your own strategy by diminishing your opponent’s resources, giving you an indirect advantage.
Instant Speed: The card’s feature to predict and play around your opponent’s instants and sorceries at instant speed is invaluable. This can disrupt their tempo and reduce the effectiveness of their turns, pivoting the game’s momentum in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Oracle en-Vec card comes with a condition that may be burdensome for some strategies, as it compels you to ditch another card to utilize its ability. This drawback can deplete your hand and reduce your options as the game progresses, particularly when you’re struggling to maintain card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Oracle en-Vec’s casting cost requires both white and blue mana, which could pose a challenge for multi-colored decks that are not focused on these colors. This specificity can hamper the card’s versatility and can be a stumbling block in decks that prize mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its effect, Oracle en-Vec may not be as cost-effective compared to other options available in the game. Players often seek maximum impact for their mana investment, and there are alternative cards that may provide a similar effect or greater value for the same or less mana, making them more efficient choices in deck building.
Reasons to Include Oracle en-Vec in Your Collection
Versatility: Oracle en-Vec fits into numerous control and combo decks. Its ability to selectively grant you and your opponents the choice of keeping creatures tapped until they skip a combat phase introduces strategic depth across various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: With Oracle en-Vec, you can orchestrate game states that benefit from creatures being in a constantly tapped state, working well with cards that punish or capitalize on those conditions.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility, Oracle en-Vec is particularly effective against creature-heavy strategies that dominate certain metas. It can halt aggressive enemies in their tracks, providing you with crucial breathing room or leveraging the battlefield to your advantage.
How to beat
Oracle en-Vec stands out in the realm of intriguing MTG cards with its distinctive ability to dictate the terms of combat. This card forces both players to choose their combatants wisely, given its power to target players, requiring them to attack with all capable creatures if able. This can potentially leave opponents vulnerable to counter-attacks or unable to block your crucial swings.
The key to outmaneuvering Oracle en-Vec is to maintain a versatile board presence. Incorporating removal spells to answer it immediately is paramount. Instant-speed answers like Swords to Plowshares allow you to address the threat before it can significantly impact the game’s course. Moreover, opting for cards with flash can keep your strategies adaptable, ensuring you have blockers available or can apply pressure at the right moment.
Deckbuilding with Oracle en-Vec in mind means being ready to both utilize its ability to your advantage and mitigate its potential against you if it’s on the opposing side. By considering flexibility and readiness in your deck construction, you can overcome the tactical challenges posed by Oracle en-Vec.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Oracle en-Vec MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Oracle en-Vec 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Oracle en-Vec has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Oracle en-Vec card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The way the card works is that the target player chooses which creatures will attack on their next turn. Creatures which are chosen to attack, but do not attack, are destroyed at the end of that turn. Creatures which are not chosen to be attackers are not affected in any way other than being unable to attack. |