Presence of the Master MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 31
1998-10-12 - Number 32
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
While Presence of the Master is in play, any new enchantments cast are countered.
Cards like Presence of the Master
The Presence of the Master is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering with an effect that counters any spell that specifically targets your enchantments. Its singularity in gameplay can be closely compared to other protective spells like Sterling Grove. Sterling Grove offers a broader protective coverage, shielding all of your enchantments from being targeted. However, unlike Presence of the Master, it doesn’t nullify the targeting spell but instead sacrifices itself to search for another enchantment.
When considering alternatives, Greater Auramancy is another card that safeguards your enchantments by providing them with shroud, preventing them from being targeted entirely. This has a more comprehensive defensive stance compared to Presence of the Master, which acts reactively to thwart each targeting spell. Then we have Privileged Position, which extends protection beyond enchantments to all permanents you control, making it a formidable shield against a wider range of threats, albeit at a higher casting cost.
Assessing these options illuminates Presence of the Master’s role as a meta-specific tool, offering tailored protection in an enchantment-rich deck. Though limited in scope, its preemptive disruption against targeted spells can serve a strategic purpose in the right deck configuration.
Cards similar to Presence of the Master by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Presence of the Master card can neutralize strong abilities your opponents rely on, effectively providing you a tactical edge and, in some cases, leading to card advantage as they lose out on their expected benefits.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting mana resources, the card’s ability to potentially lock down resource-generating abilities of your opponents’ cards can indirectly lead to acceleration by giving you the upper hand and preserving your board state.
Instant Speed: The enchantment operates at the speed of the triggered abilities it counters, meaning it functions seamlessly during any phase of the game, providing real-time answers to threats as they rise, and keeping you always one step ahead.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the hurdles when playing Presence of the Master is that you need to have a specific card to discard. This requirement can be problematic, particularly in the late game when your hand might be running low, reducing your ability to maintain card advantage and respond to your opponent’s moves.
Specific Mana Cost: Presence of the Master comes with its specific mana demands, as it requires both white mana and a few other colors. This can be limiting for deck-building, as it may not fit neatly into multi-colored decks or those that are mana-constrained, thus reducing its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost to bring Presence of the Master into play can be steep compared to other options available. Considering the competitive environment where efficiency is key, there may be alternatives that offer similar or better effects for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Presence of the Master in Your Collection
Versatility: Presence of the Master is a unique enchantment that can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its ability to counter any enchantment as it tries to come into play makes it a valuable asset in a meta that relies heavily on enchantment-based strategies. This utility gives you an edge by disrupting opponents’ plans while you advance your own.
Combo Potential: This card holds the capability to weave into intricate combos, especially in a deck that revolves around stax or control strategies. By incorporating it, you are effectively hampering opponents who rely on enchantments to combo off, enabling you to set up your winning conditions without interference.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where enchantments play a critical role, Presence of the Master provides an essential answer. With the fluctuating nature of MTG metagames, having this card in your toolkit guarantees that you’re equipped to tackle enchantment-heavy decks that may rise to prominence.
How to Beat
Presence of the Master is an enchantment that has a unique role in MTG. It’s a handy tool for players looking to shut down opposing strategies that rely heavily on enchantments. What sets it apart is its ability to stifle the opponent’s enchantments upon their arrival on the battlefield without impacting yours. To effectively neutralize this card, a direct approach is needed.
The key is to leverage spells that can bypass its restriction. This means opting for creature or artifact-based enchantment removal, which Presence of the Master does not affect. Cards like Reclamation Sage or Nevinyrral’s Disk offer alternative ways to deal with problematic enchantments while avoiding the passive control Presence of the Master exerts. Additionally, using countermagic when Presence of the Master is cast ensures that its effects never hit the board in the first place, rendering it a non-issue for the duration of the game.
Ultimately, outmaneuvering Presence of the Master requires a combination of advanced planning and versatile removal options. By adjusting your deck to include a diverse set of answers, you can easily circumvent the constraints it aims to impose on your game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Presence of the Master MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Urza's Saga, 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 Presence of the Master 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 Presence of the Master Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 1998-10-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 31 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Phil Foglio | |
| 2 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 32 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ciruelo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Presence of the Master has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Presence of the Master 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 | Does not stop enchantments from being put onto the battlefield by a spell or ability. |
| 2004-10-04 | This effect triggers when the spell is announced and prior to allowing responses to it. |