Passionate Archaeologist MTG Card
2022-06-10 - Number 633
2022-06-10 - Number 656
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Enchantment — Background |
Text of card
Commander creatures you own have "Whenever you cast a spell from exile, this creature deals damage equal to that spell's mana value to target opponent."
Cards like Passionate Archaeologist
Passionate Archaeologist is a unique inclusion in the world of MTG, reminding us of the versatility and strategic depth of cards that cater to players who favor long-term plays. When considering similar cards, Tamiyo’s Journal comes to mind, which also digs through the deck to secure valuable artifacts. The key difference lies in Passionate Archaeologist’s ability to excavate at a more consistent pace without needing to wait for clue tokens. On the flip side, Tamiyo’s Journal offers more freedom in selecting any card from the deck.
Another comparable choice is Eager Construct, sharing the artifact creature type and providing a degree of deck filtering for both players upon entry. However, Eager Construct does not provide the ongoing deck manipulation and lacks the thematic flair of the Passionate Archaeologist. Then we have Board the Weatherlight, which exhibits a similar thematic discovery effect but operates from the hand as a sorcery, offering a single-shot event rather than a repeatable action—that’s a significant trade-off in terms of potential card advantage.
Assessing these comparisons, Passionate Archaeologist emerges as an intriguing option for those who prefer continuous card interaction and uncovering deck treasures over time, showcasing the card’s unique qualities in MTG’s varied pool of archaeology-themed options.
Cards similar to Passionate Archaeologist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Passionate Archaeologist can unearth valuable cards from your library, deftly digging up tools and options that keep your hand rich with possibilities.
Resource Acceleration: By uncovering key artifacts from among your deck’s depths, the Passionate Archaeologist can help speed up your game play, granting access to crucial pieces much sooner than anticipated.
Instant Speed: With the capability to react in a flash, the Passionate Archaeologist can unexpectedly provide resources and advantages at a moment’s notice, often catching opponents off guard and shifting the tide of the game with its expedient actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Passionate Archaeologist’s abilities, players must discard a card, which could be a significant setback when hand size is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Passionate Archaeologist requires a particular combination of mana colors to play, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce those colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side for its effects, players might consider other cards that provide a similar impact at a lower cost, improving deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include Passionate Archaeologist in Your Collection
Versatility: Passionate Archaeologist offers broad utility across various types of decks. Its ability to excavate the top cards of your library can easily integrate with strategies focusing on graveyard manipulation or card advantage.
Combo Potential: This card’s interaction with historical spells not only amplifies your current plays but can also serve as a centerpiece in decks designed to exploit artifact, saga, or legendary synergies, bolstering both offensive and defensive strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Considering its synergistic qualities with popular archetypes, including the artifact and legendary-focused decks, Passionate Archaeologist can be a solid addition in a meta where such strategies are prevalent.
How to beat
The Passionate Archaeologist card in Magic: The Gathering offers unique mechanics that can be challenging to counter. This versatile card provides a blend of utility and strategy, catering to players who enjoy complex gameplay. It shines in decks that capitalize on artifact synergies, often allowing for unexpected turns and powerful combos.
To gain the upper hand against Passionate Archaeologist, consider strategies that disrupt the card’s reliance on artifacts. Cards that allow for targeted artifact removal or that can induce sacrifice of key permanents can be a thorn in the side for a player depending on Passionate Archaeologist’s ability. Moreover, playing faster aggro decks can help outpace the setup time needed for Passionate Archaeologist to truly impact the game. Denying resources and countering key spells that trigger from artifact interactions also serve as effective tactics to dismantle the advantages that Passionate Archaeologist brings to the table.
Ultimately, winning against Passionate Archaeologist involves understanding the deck it is played in and preparing your strategy accordingly. Anticipate the reliance on artifacts and try to stay one step ahead. Efficient management of removal spells and maintaining board control are crucial to ensure Passionate Archaeologist doesn’t turn the tide of the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the nuances and strategies of MTG is like navigating a complex labyrinth, but rewards await those who are meticulous and creative. The Passionate Archaeologist card is a testament to this, bringing both challenges and boons to the game. Deck builders who treasure synergy and adaptability will likely find a place for this card among their ranks. If you embody the spirit of an explorer, delving deeper into artifact-based strategies, this card could be your cornerstone. We encourage you to continue your quest for knowledge and mastery in MTG, and we’re here to guide you on that journey. Unlock the full potential of Passionate Archaeologist and discover how it can turn the tides of your matches—learn more with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Passionate Archaeologist MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Passionate Archaeologist 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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Printings
The Passionate Archaeologist Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-06-10 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Nino Is.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 633 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nino Is | |
| 2 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 656 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nino Is |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Passionate Archaeologist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Passionate Archaeologist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-06-10 | An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders. |
| 2022-06-10 | Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library. |
| 2022-06-10 | Choose a Background is a variant of the partner ability. You may have two commanders if one of them is a legendary creature with the choose a background ability and the other is a legendary Background enchantment. Backgrounds and cards with choose a Background do not interact with cards which have any other partner ability. |
| 2022-06-10 | If a card refers to a commander creature you own, a Background won't usually be counted or included for that effect. If another spell or ability causes your Background to become a creature, however, it will be included. Any effect that refers to your commander or a commander you own or control without specifying creature will apply to a Background that is your commander, as appropriate. |
| 2022-06-10 | If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens. |
| 2022-06-10 | If you control a Background that grants an ability to commander creatures you own, and you own more than one commander creature, each of them will have that ability. |
| 2022-06-10 | If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can include only cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders’ combined color identities. |
| 2022-06-10 | If your commander loses the choose a Background ability or stops being a Background during the game, as appropriate, it is still your commander. |
| 2022-06-10 | Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won’t have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 combat damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined (although your Background won’t usually be a creature anyway). |
| 2022-06-10 | You can choose two commanders that are the same color or colors. |