Quirion Explorer MTG Card
2001-02-05 - Number 90
2016-11-11 - Number 160
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid Scout |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Quirion Explorer offers card advantage through versatile mana access in multi-color decks.
- Resource acceleration is made possible by its ability to tap for any mana color.
- Its synergy with instant speed plays can give players a reactive edge in matches.
Text of card
oc T: Add to your mana pool one mana of any color that a land an opponent controls could produce.
Fight with a friend at your back, steel in your hands, and magic in your veins. —Quirion creed
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Quirion Explorer shines in decks that leverage mana from multiple colors, offering versatility in your plays. By facilitating easy access to any color mana your opponents have, this card can help you cast spells more efficiently, keeping you on par or ahead in the resource game.
Resource Acceleration: This card aids in resource acceleration by allowing you to tap for any color mana that an opponent could produce. In a game where mana efficiency is crucial, Quirion Explorer excels in multi-colored decks, making it easier to play your hand without the usual color restrictions, thus speeding up your gameplay.
Instant Speed: While Quirion Explorer itself isn’t an instant, its ability pairs well with cards that can be played at instant speed. The flexibility of producing any color mana means you can more readily keep your options open, ready to respond to opponents’ actions with a well-timed instant, thanks to the mana this card helps generate.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Quirion Explorer might force you to let go of other valuable cards in your hand, which isn’t ideal when your options are already limited.
Specific Mana Cost: Quirion Explorer requires a mix of green and any other color mana, which could complicate your strategy if you’re not playing a multi-colored deck. This narrows its versatility in single-color builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that offers mana flexibility, Quirion Explorer’s cost is higher than some other mana dorks in the game. This could slow down your tempo, especially when you need to establish a strong board presence early on.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Quirion Explorer is an adaptable card that plays well in decks that need mana fixing or utilize multi-colored strategies. Being able to tap for any color that your opponents have makes it a valuable inclusion for Commander games where flexibility is crucial.
Combo Potential: This card is a fantastic enabler, laying the groundwork for numerous combo executions. Since it provides access to different colors of mana, it can easily fit into and facilitate the execution of various synergies that require a diverse mana base.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape constantly evolves, having a card like Quirion Explorer can be a tactical choice. It can adjust to various meta shifts, ensuring that your deck can perform even when the popular decks change. Its ability to provide the right mana at the right time can be the difference between victory and defeat.
How to beat
Quirion Explorer is a unique creature card that offers Mana fixing capability in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to tap along with another creature to generate mana of any color that any of its controllers’ creatures represent, opens doors for multicolor deck strategies. Tackling this card requires a good understanding of how it can potentially unlock an opponent’s Mana base and enable multicolored spells to be cast more easily.
To effectively counter Quirion Explorer, removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed give you the upper hand, disrupting your opponent’s Mana strategy before they can benefit from it. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push are excellent at efficiently dealing with creatures before they can impact the board. Additionally, if Quirion Explorer has become a part of a synergy or combo within the opponent’s deck, it’s crucial to disrupt the sequence. Hand disruption spells such as Thoughtseize can be used preemptively to remove key combo pieces before they’re played, thereby nullifying the mana advantage Quirion Explorer provides.
In essence, maintaining control of the board and keeping a close eye on potential combo setups are pivotal when facing a card like Quirion Explorer. Addressing it quickly and decisively will limit your opponent’s resources and keep you one step ahead in the game.
Cards like Quirion Explorer
Quirion Explorer is a unique piece in the world of Magic: The Gathering mana accoutrements. Like the famed Birds of Paradise, it assists in mana fixing, crucial for multicolor decks. However, unlike the Birds, Quirion Explorer requires a buddy system, tapping alongside another creature to provide you with the color of your choice. This camaraderie-based mechanic sets it apart from its flying counterpart which acts solo.
Exploring further comparisons, we find Farhaven Elf, which lands you a basic land straight to the battlefield. Both are valuable for smoothing out early-game mana issues, though Farhaven Elf offers an immediate impact without needing a partner. Additionally, there’s Sakura-Tribe Elder, adept at mana-fixing with its sacrifice mechanism to fetch a basic land. While Quirion Explorer persists on the battlefield ready to tap again, the Elder makes a one-time ultimate sacrifice for your mana needs.
Delving into these alternatives, Quirion Explorer offers consistent, albeit conditional, mana production. This could integrate well in cooperative strategies or with untap tricks, thereby reinforcing its uniqueness in the realm of mana dorks within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Quirion Explorer by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Quirion Explorer MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and Commander 2016, 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 Quirion Explorer and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Quirion Explorer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2016-11-11. Illustrated by Ron Spears.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-02-05 | Planeshift | PLS | 90 | 1997 | normal | black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 160 | 2015 | normal | black | Ron Spears |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Quirion Explorer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Quirion Explorer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | If the opponent only has lands that produce colorless or no mana, this card’s ability can still be activated; it just won’t produce any mana. |
