Pale Moon MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2000-02-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Nemesis |
| Set code | NEM |
| Number | 36 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Text of card
Until end of turn, if a player taps a nonbasic land for mana, it produces colorless mana instead of its normal type.
Denizens of Rath had never seen the moon before. It was a symbol of change, not constancy.
Cards like Pale Moon
Pale Moon is an intriguing spell within the wide array of mana disruption cards in MTG. This card, specifically, turns all non-basic lands into basic Mountains during the turn it’s cast, temporarily leaving opponents with a potentially unusable mana base. Considering similarities, Blood Moon springs to mind, promoting a more persistent form of disruption by transforming all non-basic lands into Mountains for as long as it remains on the battlefield.
Moonlace is another card that follows the lunar theme, though its impact differs by targeting a single permanent, giving it “protection from the color of your choice” until end of turn. While it doesn’t affect the mana pool directly like Pale Moon, it offers a versatile defense against color-specific spells and abilities. Then, there’s Chaos Moon, which also meddles with lands albeit in a randomized manner, catering to players that enjoy gambling with mana resources.
In identifying the unique role that each card plays in a player’s strategy, Pale Moon stands out for its instant-speed, one-turn window of influence, making it effectively distinct from its longer-lasting or more targeted counterparts in the realm of magic and mana manipulation.
Cards similar to Pale Moon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Pale Moon, the shuffled cards could potentially yield more beneficial outcomes. This disrupts opponents and may result in a more favorable hand for subsequent turns.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly affecting mana resources, Pale Moon can be a step towards finding key mana-producing cards by long-term deck manipulation, subtly accelerating your resource development.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Pale Moon allows for strategic responsiveness. You can alter either player’s mana base during any phase of a turn, keeping your opponents on their toes and forcing them to adapt unexpectedly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Pale Moon is the necessity to discard a card to activate its effect. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already running low on cards. Having to sacrifice resources to disrupt enemy mana can be a risky move if you don’t have a follow-up strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Pale Moon requires a particular combination of mana to cast: one blue and three generic mana. This specific mana cost can restrict its inclusion to decks that strongly favor blue mana or those that can reliably produce any color of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana, Pale Moon’s ability to turn all lands into Plains may not be as cost-efficient compared to other disruption spells in the game. Certain decks might find this cost too steep for an effect that is situational and may not always severely set back the opponent’s strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pale Moon offers the unique ability to disrupt your opponent’s mana base, making it a powerful tool in decks looking to control the pace of the game. Its capacity to turn lands into colorless producers ensures that it can slide into various deck themes, adapting to multiple strategies effectively.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combos that lock opponents out of casting spells by targeting key lands. It synergizes with cards that capitalize on opponents having non-usable mana or those that can take advantage of basic lands being rendered temporarily ineffectual.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where decks heavily rely on non-basic lands for multicolor spells, Pale Moon emerges as a formidable inclusion. It is especially potent in metas where land-based strategies are prevalent, providing a surprise element that can swing games in your favor.
How to beat Pale Moon
Pale Moon, with its ability to temporarily disrupt a player’s mana base, presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering matches. To effectively counter this card, focusing on mana diversity and reliable early game plays is crucial. Utilizing lands or mana sources that aren’t susceptible to phase out effects, such as basics or indestructible lands, can help maintain your mana flow even when Pale Moon is on the field. Moreover, fast-paced decks can outpace the setback caused by Pale Moon by establishing a strong board presence before it can affect the gameplay significantly.
Another key tactic is to have instant-speed removal or counterspells ready to deal with Pale Moon the moment it is cast. Since it has a casting window, being prepared can save your key lands from being phased out. Also, having a low curve in your deck limits the impact of losing one turn’s worth of mana, as you will be able to cast most of your spells without hindrance. Lastly, prioritizing cards that can operate independently of lands, such as Moxen or creatures with mana abilities, also negates the reversal of tempo Pale Moon is designed to create.
Being adaptive and managing resources wisely allows a player to mitigate the disruption caused by Pale Moon and maintain the upper hand throughout the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pale Moon MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Pale Moon 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 Pale Moon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pale Moon 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 ability does not change the amount of mana produced, only the color. |