Magus of the Tabernacle MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Released	2007-02-02
Set symbol
Set name	Planar Chaos
Set code	PLC
Power	2
Toughness	6
Number	8
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

Forces tough decisions, creating card advantage by taxing opponents’ creatures during upkeep.
Restrictive mana cost limits deck building but offers a strategic edge in control decks.
Highly effective against creature-heavy strategies, reshaping game dynamics and control.

Text of card

All creatures have "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this creature unless you pay ."

The Tabernacle's disciples channel the emanations from Pendrell Vale, spreading its paradoxical demand to be both worshipped and left alone.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Magus of the Tabernacle, players can manipulate the battlefield by forcing opponents to pay a tax for each creature they control. In games that stretch out, this can lead to significant card advantage as opponents may need to decide between developing their board or keeping existing creatures, potentially leading to card loss.

Resource Acceleration: Although Magus of the Tabernacle does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to tax opponents can indirectly boost your mana efficiency. As opponents allocate more mana to maintain their creatures, you can utilize your mana for advancing your board state or executing critical spells.

Instant Speed: While the card itself does not function at instant speed, it can dramatically impact strategies around instant-speed interactions. Opponents must weigh the risk of playing creatures with flash or saving mana for instant casts, as the upkeep cost introduced by Magus of the Tabernacle will affect all creatures already on the field.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: N/A for Magus of the Tabernacle as it does not have any discard mechanics associated with its abilities. Please reference the card for its actual drawbacks.

Specific Mana Cost: The Magus of the Tabernacle card has a restrictive mana cost, demanding two white mana in addition to two other mana. This can limit deck building options, as it requires a solid commitment to white mana sources to consistently play the card on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a four-mana cost, the Magus of the Tabernacle can be considered high for the effect it offers. When evaluating the card against others that affect the battlefield or offer creature control, players might find that there are more mana-efficient choices available in the card pool.

Reasons to Include Magus of the Tabernacle in Your Collection

Versatility: Magus of the Tabernacle can be a strategic addition to multiple deck archetypes. Its ability to tax each creature helps control the pace of the game and can be particularly effective in decks designed to maintain a low creature count while penalizing opponents who flood the board.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with effects that restrict or punish tapping creatures, or in strategies that encourage opponents to make tough decisions about their resources. It pairs well with cards that limit land untapping, enhancing its disruptive capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where creature-heavy decks are prevalent, Magus of the Tabernacle can serve as a potent equalizer. Against decks that rely on a high volume of creatures to win, it acts as a significant deterrent, potentially shifting the dynamics of the game in your favor.

How to beat

Magus of the Tabernacle is a unique creature card that challenges players with a taxing effect, enforcing a cost for the privilege of keeping creatures on the battlefield. This passive ability is reminiscent of the renowned land card, Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale, which is known for disrupting creature-dense strategies and forcing tough decisions.

To effectively tackle the Magus, consider prioritizing removal spells that can target and eliminate this particular creature. Look towards efficient kill spells or those that can bypass potential protection. Another strategy is to lean into creature-light or creatureless deck builds that naturally minimize the impact of such a taxing effect. Artifact and enchantment destruction spells are also worth considering, as some decks employ tools like Pithing Needle to neutralize abilities without removing the creature itself.

Lastly, adapting your playstyle to be more aggressive and proactive can force a Magus player to become the defender, making their own card a liability. Whether employing relentless removal, reconfiguring your creature lineup, or revising your strategy to be faster and more assertive, there are several avenues to neutralize the impact of Magus of the Tabernacle and maintain the upper hand in your matches.

Cards like Magus of the Tabernacle

Magus of the Tabernacle holds a unique position in the realm of creature effects within Magic: The Gathering. Like the land card it mirrors, The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale, it imposes a manatax on creatures, requiring their controllers to pay 1 mana during their upkeep for each creature they control. This creates a taxing field of play, reminiscent of cards like Pendrell Mists, which offers a similar upkeep cost but lacks the body that the Magus provides.

Another analog card is Ghostly Prison, which also impacts the combat phase by making opponents pay 2 mana to attack with each creature. While it does not strain their resources during the upkeep, it effectively controls the battlefield. Additionally, Propaganda serves the same function but in blue, showcasing how such effects can cross color boundaries. The key difference with the Magus and these enchantments is the creature-based strategy it enables, allowing for more dynamic interactions and responses from the adversary.

Ultimately, Magus of the Tabernacle supports a distinct strategic stance that reshapes the flow of the game. While alternative cards offer evasion and defensive tactics, Magus enforces a persistent cost that can be leveraged by decks focusing on resource denial.

The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Magus of the Tabernacle MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos, 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 Magus of the Tabernacle and other MTG cards: