Sages of the Anima MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf Wizard |
| Released | 2009-04-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alara Reborn |
| Set code | ARB |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 103 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kev Walker |
Text of card
If you would draw a card, instead reveal the top three cards of your library. Put all creature cards revealed this way into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
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Cards like Sages of the Anima
Sages of the Anima is an intriguing creature card that stands out in Magic: The Gathering for its ability to reshape hand dynamics. It is somewhat reminiscent of enchantment cards like Abundance, which also allows players to control the types of cards drawn. Sages of the Anima guarantees that noncreature spells essentially become creature cards, greatly fueling creature-based strategies. Unlike Abundance, however, Sages of the Anima does not provide the versatility of choosing between lands or non-lands which adds a layer of predictability and synergy in creature-heavy decks.
Another card that echoes this manipulation of draw is Oracle of Mul Daya. While the Oracle doesn’t directly alter the types of drawn cards, it permits playing additional lands and reveals the top card, facilitating wiser draw decisions. Unlike Sages of the Anima, it doesn’t filter draws to be solely creatures, maintaining a broader draw flexibility. Then there’s the enigmatic Garruk’s Horde, which allows playing creatures from the top of the deck, a boon for creatures waiting on deck wings without filling your hand, yet it doesn’t provide Sages of the Anima’s consistent creature draw.
In assessing Sages of the Anima and its unique place in the Magic: The Gathering ecosystem, this card shines in crafting a relentless creature-driven gameplay, painting it as a powerful ally for players seeking creature card consistency.
Cards similar to Sages of the Anima by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sages of the Anima ensures that the cards you draw are nonland, enhancing your chances to access impactful spells each turn. This effect is a game-changer in formats where drawing the right mix of spells can make or break crucial turns, solidifying your grip on card quality and quantity.
Resource Acceleration: While Sages of the Anima itself does not directly generate additional mana, the ensured access to nonland cards means you can more reliably draw into your deck’s ramp spells and creatures. This has a synergistic effect with decks that aim to play multiple spells in a turn or quickly assemble combo pieces.
Instant Speed: Although Sages of the Anima does not operate at instant speed, this unique Elf Wizard’s ability modifies your future draws, which indirectly benefits your instant-speed interactions. By refining your deck’s output to nonland cards, it elevates the probability of hitting reactive instants when you most need them, thus refining your deck’s overall responsiveness.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sages of the Anima demands a significant trade-off with its ability that eliminates non-creature cards from the top of your library. This necessitates a careful deck build and might deplete valuable spells and lands in a game where each card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s green and blue mana requirements may not align with all deck strategies, making it less flexible when trying to slot into varied mana-base decks. It’s especially challenging for mono-colored deck players who might be interested in its capabilities but are unable to accommodate its color needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring five mana to cast (three generic, one green, and one blue), Sages of the Anima sits on the higher end of the mana curve, which means it can be a slow addition to your board, potentially setting you back in tempo against faster, more aggressive decks that can capitalize on its later game entry.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sages of the Anima can seamlessly integrate into decks that capitalize on noncreature spells. Its unique ability to refresh your hand with only noncreature cards offers a distinct advantage, especially in builds that revolve around spell-slinging and control tactics.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in setups that synergize with libraries and graveyards. By guaranteeing a selection of noncreature spells during each draw, it can powerfully fuel combos that rely on casting several spells in a single turn or that have synergies with certain spell types.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where reactive play and consistent access to answers are key, Sages of the Anima maintains its relevance. It keeps control and combo players supplied with the tools they need to respond to threats or set up their own win conditions effectively.
How to beat
The Sages of the Anima card introduces a unique gameplay dimension to Magic the Gathering by offering players the potential to dig for nonland cards and intensify strategic hand composition. Its core ability reshapes regular draws into opportunities that ensure a player has multiple options each turn, given they’re attuned to creature-heavy decks. It’s an ability that can significantly swing the game, creating an impressive engine for card advantage.
To counteract Sages of the Anima, focus on keeping the creature counts low and disrupting the opponent’s graveyard. Graveyard hate cards can significantly diminish the recurrence benefit that Sages of the Anima provides. Employing countermeasures that target creature-based strategies as a whole could stifle the Sages’ effectiveness. This might include continuously removing creatures or deploying cards that negate creature abilities. Strategies that don’t rely heavily on creatures to function, like control or combo decks, would naturally mitigate the advantage provided by Sages of the Anima.
Overall, it’s vital to recognize that the strength of Sages of the Anima lies within its synergistic potential. Disrupting that synergy is key, whether through targeted removal, graveyard manipulation, or a strategic focus that doesn’t hinge on creatures. Doing so can neutralize this card’s impact and help tilt the duel in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sages of the Anima MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn, 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 Sages of the Anima 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sages of the Anima has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sages of the Anima card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-05-01 | If a spell or ability causes you to put cards in your hand without specifically using the word “draw,” Sages of the Anima’s ability won’t affect it. |
| 2009-05-01 | If an effect would cause you to draw multiple cards, each individual draw is replaced by Sages of the Anima’s effect. Process the draws one at a time. |
| 2009-05-01 | If there are fewer than three cards in your library, you’ll reveal all of them. |
| 2009-05-01 | If two or more replacement effects would apply to a card-drawing event, the player who’s drawing the card chooses what order to apply them. It’s possible that after applying one of them, the others will no longer be applicable because the player would no longer draw a card. For example, if you have more than one Sages of the Anima on the battlefield and you would draw a card, each Sages of the Anima’s replacement effect could apply. Once you use one, the rest are no longer applicable. |
| 2009-05-01 | Other players don’t get to see the order that you put the cards on the bottom of your library. |
| 2009-05-01 | This effect is mandatory. Even if there are no more creature cards in your library, you have to do this instead of drawing a card. |