Richlau, Headmaster MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Advisor |
| Released | 2022-12-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: The Brothers' War |
| Set code | YBRO |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 23 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yangtian Li |
Text of card
At the beginning of your end step, you may pay . When you do, target artifact card in your graveyard perpetually gains "This spell costs less to cast." If it's a creature or Vehicle card, it perpetually gets +2/+2. Put it into your library second from the top.
Cards like Richlau, Headmaster
Richlau, Headmaster is a new entrant in the educator-themed cards sector of MTG, aligning closely with characters like Narset, Parter of Veils. Both contain an element of knowledge manipulation, but Richlau extends the academic flavor by allowing players to seek a spell and cast it with a discount. Narset, on the other hand, restricts opponents’ card draws and digs four cards deep for a non-creature, non-land card.
Considering Alrund, God of the Cosmos, who also enables strong card selection, Richlau’s immediacy in casting a discounted spell certainly shifts the dynamic. Alrund’s adeptness at modifying card quality over turns contrasts Richlau’s swift tactical advantage. When examining Kasmina, Enigma Sage, her flexibility to adapt various abilities means she scales over time, whereas Richlau presents immediate term casting benefits which could be crucial in certain matchups.
To sum up, while other planeswalkers and legendary creatures might offer progressive game advantages or opponent disruption, Richlau, Headmaster is distinct in his potential for instant value and cost-efficient spellcasting, carving out a niche in decks that value tempo and specific spell synergies within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Richlau, Headmaster by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Richlau, Headmaster. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Richlau, Headmaster flows seamlessly into strategies poised to manipulate the stacking of libraries — both yours and the opponent’s. This card furnishes your hand with additional spells, potentially essential for turning the tides in matches where drawing the right card is key to sustaining control over the game board.
Resource Acceleration: Given Richlau’s ability to orchestrate the flow of play, casting him could result in increased mana availiability. This resource acceleration may not be direct but rather a byproduct of the calculated usage of other spells that his presence optimizes, effectively elevating your capability to execute high-cost, game-altering moves sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Richlau, Headmaster can synergize with instant-speed spells in your repertoire. Strategically, this provides substantial flexibility, allowing you to adjust your tactics according to the evolving demands of the match. Moreover, facilitating instant-speed interactions elevates strategic depth, complicating your opponent’s decision-making process and bolstering your own reactive capabilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Richlau, Headmaster, as a card, necessitates discarding another card, which could deplete your hand of valuable resources and potentially hinder your game momentum, especially if you’re already struggling to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes multiple colors of mana, making it potentially challenging to play in multicolored decks that might not always have the right mana available when this card is drawn.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering Richlau’s, Headmaster ability to impact the game, it’s essential to acknowledge that its mana cost is significant. This aspect can impede the speed of gameplay and may make it less appealing than other options with lower costs and similar or more immediate effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Richlau, Headmaster offers a unique flexibility to various deck strategies, providing both utility and power to control and combo archetypes through its distinct abilities.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes exceptionally with spell-slinging decks, as it can amplify spells or abilities, thus enabling intricate and potentially game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that often shifts with new sets and strategies, Richlau, Headmaster remains relevant by adapting to numerous playstyles and countering prevalent competitive decks.
How to Beat Richlau, Headmaster
Richlau, Headmaster is a standout card in the MTG arena for its unique ability to shape the academic course of a duel. Embodying versatility, it allows players to leverage spells through its ‘class’ mechanic. However, to fully neutralize Richlau’s benefits, smartly target the underlying strategy it empowers. Prioritize removal spells that can disrupt Richlau’s presence on the board, such as Murder or Path to Exile. Spells that specifically address the casting of noncreature spells, like Damping Sphere, can effectively deteriorate Richlau’s advantage.
Counterspells also serve as a robust line of defense against Richlau and its accompanying syllabus. Stifle its activation cost by employing instant speed disruptions like Mana Leak or Negate. By keeping mana open, you can efficiently safeguard your game state from the Headmaster’s influence. Maintaining board control with sweepers such as Doomskar or Wrath of God can also reset the advantage crafted by your opponent’s Richlau-led strategy, placing you back in a position of control. Consistent pressure and strategic play are key to stifling the Headmaster’s impact.
Approaching the match with these tactics aligns with an effective game plan against Richlau, ensuring its academic reign is short-lived. By applying precision and patience, the path to victory becomes clearer, even in the face of this challenging adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Richlau, Headmaster MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: The Brothers' War, 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 Richlau, Headmaster and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Richlau, Headmaster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |