Palantír of Orthanc MTG Card


Enables card advantage and peeking into opponents’ strategy, ramping up on information control. Demands specific mana and discarding, which can disrupt deck tempo and balance. Excellent synergy and combo potential make it a worthy addition to strategic decks.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Artifact
Abilities Mill,Scry

Text of card

At the beginning of your end step, put an influence counter on Palantír of Orthanc and scry 2. Then target opponent may have you draw a card. If that player doesn't, you mill X cards, where X is the number of influence counters on Palantír of Orthanc, and that player loses life equal to the total mana value of those cards.


Cards like Palantír of Orthanc

Palantír of Orthanc brings a unique twist to the sets of scrying cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a common ground with Crystal Ball, which allows players to manipulate the top of their libraries to optimize card draw. Palantír of Orthanc, however, offers a different strategic angle by enabling the retrieval of powerful nonland cards from your graveyard, given you’ve met the designated criteria.

Another card in this relationship is Seer’s Lantern, a mana-lith that also promotes deck filtering through scrying. While Palantír of Orthanc stands out for its potential to recover key cards, Seer’s Lantern provides a consistent means of rearranging upcoming draws without an additional cost. Then there’s Soothsaying, a versatile enchantment that enables not just single scrying but the potential to reorder any number of cards, yet it doesn’t match the retrieval ability that defines Palantír of Orthanc’s uniqueness in gameplay.

Evaluating the comparison, Palantír of Orthanc secures its place as an interesting choice for MTG deck builders who prioritize recovering their best spells during a game, while offering the continuous benefit of scrying that players have come to value in strategic gameplay scenarios.

Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Seer's Lantern - MTG Card versions
Soothsaying - MTG Card versions
Crystal Ball - MTG Card versions
Seer's Lantern - MTG Card versions
Soothsaying - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Palantír of Orthanc by color, type and mana cost

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Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Palantír of Orthanc allows its controller to peek into the opponent’s strategy by revealing the top card of their library, giving a significant information edge. Coupled with the option to draw a card if it’s a land, it aids in keeping your hand replenished.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact provides a versatile advantage; it enables players to play lands directly from the top of the opponent’s library, thus accelerating the available resources for casting spells ahead of the normal mana curve.

Instant Speed: One of the key attributes of the Palantír of Orthanc is its ability to be activated at instant speed. This flexibility allows players to wait until the most strategically opportune moment before deciding whether to use it, enabling more reactive and dynamic play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To harness the Palantír of Orthanc’s ability, you must part with another card from your hand, potentially depleting valuable options or leaving you with fewer defenses.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires a precise mana arrangement to come into play, demanding both colorless and black mana, which may not seamlessly fit into every deck’s mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a requirement of three mana including one black, your deck may suffer in tempo, especially since other alternatives may offer more immediate impact or versatility on the battlefield for the same, if not a lower, mana commitment.


Reasons to Include Palantír of Orthanc in Your Collection

Versatility: Palantír of Orthanc offers a level of flexibility that makes it a standout in various decks that advantage from foresight and information control. Its ability to scry is a powerful tool in fine-tuning draw strategies.

Combo Potential: As a card with a notable interaction potential, it can work in tandem with decks that capitalize on the scry mechanic or manipulate the top cards of the library, amplifying those synergies.

Meta-Relevance: Within the current gameplay environment, knowledge is power. Being able to predict and prepare for an opponent’s moves with Palantír of Orthanc can provide a tactical edge, making it a viable inclusion in many meta decks.


How to beat

The Palantír of Orthanc card serves as a powerful artifact in the land of Magic: The Gathering. Like the indestructible Darksteel Relic, it boasts resilience that makes it a challenge to remove from the battle. Its ability to peek at the top card of the library every turn channels the thematic prowess of scrying mechanics, reminiscent of cards like Crystal Ball. Yet, unlike Crystal Ball, Palantír of Orthanc doesn’t allow for the rearrangement of cards.

One could draw parallels with the prognostic Rainbow Efreet ability, minus the evasive flutter. Deciphering how to conquer Palantír of Orthanc hinges on disrupting your opponent’s strategy. Enchantment removals such as Disenchant become indispensable, while counter spells like Cancel can thwart its initial casting. Additionally, choosing to prioritize direct attacks on your opponent’s life total can overshadow the long-term value Palantír of Orthanc offers, driving the match to a quicker conclusion.

Dissecting the application of anti-artifact cards, including the likes of Naturalize and Shatter, also reveals their utility for dealing with such persistent artifacts. Each game requires a thoughtful approach but recognizing the key moments to deploy these answers is the cornerstone of overcoming the power held within the Palantír of Orthanc.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means more than just playing powerful cards; it’s about strategic insights and making informed choices. The Palantír of Orthanc card infuses both of these aspects into your gameplay by lending you a prophetic advantage. It’s excellent for deck builders with an eye for long-term planning and an appreciation for intricate strategies. If you’re eager to exploit card advantage and optimize your deck’s flow, consider integrating this artifact’s unique abilities into your array. Keen to delve deeper into the strategic uses of the Palantír of Orthanc? Venture with us as we explore essential tactics that will distinguish you in the MTG realm.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Palantír of Orthanc MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Palantír of Orthanc and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Palantír of Orthanc Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 749z2015NormalBorderlessMarlene Yui
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 7922015NormalBlackTatiana Veryayskaya
32023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 3812015NormalBlackTatiana Veryayskaya
42023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 2472015NormalBlackTatiana Veryayskaya
52023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth PromosPLTR 247s2015NormalBlackTatiana Veryayskaya
62023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 6982015NormalBlackTatiana Veryayskaya
72023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 7492015NormalBorderlessMarlene Yui

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Palantír of Orthanc has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Palantír of Orthanc card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 You choose a target for Palantír of Orthanc's ability when it goes on the stack. If that target is illegal as the ability tries to resolve, the ability is removed from the stack. You won't put an influence counter on Palantír of Orthanc, and you won't scry, draw, or mill.