Scarab of the Unseen MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 1996-06-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alliances |
| Set code | ALL |
| Number | 128 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Sandra Everingham |
Text of card
oc T: Sacrifice Scarab of the Unseen to return all enchantments on target permanent you own to their owners' hand. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
Cards like Scarab of the Unseen
Scarab of the Unseen stands out as a unique artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This card functions similarly to cards like Unstable Obelisk, both offering utility beyond mere mana generation. Scarab of the Unseen provides a specific edge with its ability to return enchantments to their owners’ hands and draw a card after sacrificing it. Unlike Unstable Obelisk, which can destroy any permanent for a higher mana investment, Scarab of the Unseen targets only enchantments and offers card draw as an additional benefit.
Comparably, Aura of Silence can deter opponents from casting enchantments due to cost increases and can sacrifice itself to destroy an artifact or enchantment. However, it lacks the card draw feature that Scarab of the Unseen offers. Leonin Bladetrap is another artifact that intercepts creatures, but it does not match the enchantment-focused disruption or card draw that Scarab of the Unseen allows.
Overall, Scarab of the Unseen serves as a tactical tool for enchantment control with the upside of card advantage in Magic: The Gathering, positioning itself as a specialized choice for players looking to manage enchantments while replenishing their hand.
Cards similar to Scarab of the Unseen by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scarab of the Unseen is an intriguing option when considering card advantage. It allows a player to return an Aura they control to their hand, which can be reused to provide sustained benefits or to protect the enchantment from removal. This creates opportunities for repeated value over the course of the game.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource acceleration tool, the Scarab of the Unseen enables strategic flexibility with Auras, indirectly conserving resources. By reusing Auras, you maintain valuable card economy, potentially gaining the upper hand by effectively having more usable cards than your opponent.
Instant Speed: The key advantage of instant speed interactions is the element of surprise and flexibility they offer. With Scarab of the Unseen, you can activate its ability at the most opportune moment, reacting swiftly to shifting game states. This can lead to advantageous exchanges and intelligent conservation of other resources in your hand during the complex interplay of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players holding Scarab of the Unseen, the card’s activation is contingent on first discarding a nonland card from your hand. This can create a dilemma if your hand is already depleted or if every card is crucial to your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost to play Scarab of the Unseen includes two blue mana. This requirement might restrict its inclusion to decks heavily focused on blue or those that can reliably produce various colors of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Scarab of the Unseen requires three mana, two of which are color-specific, without an immediate impactful effect on the board state. For a similar investment, players might find alternative cards that provide more immediate value or versatility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Scarab of the Unseen offers flexibility as it can be slotted into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to untap all non-creature permanents and draw cards can synchronize with control or combo strategies, providing both a protective measure and resource advantage.
Combo Potential: This artifact’s potential to turn around tight situations is immense, particularly when combined with cards or abilities that have tap effects. It can enable unexpected combos and interactions, effectively resetting your board state for the next phase of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts play a significant role or where controlling the board state is paramount, Scarab of the Unseen can be a crucial inclusion. It can dismantle opponents’ plans by offering a mix of defensive and proactive plays that align with shifting competitive landscapes.
How to Beat
The Scarab of the Unseen is an artifact that can make its way into various MTG decks, providing a unique set of abilities that can protect creatures and draw cards. To outmaneuver this card, consider deploying artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize. These cards efficiently deal with troublesome artifacts by destroying them without requiring ample resources.
An important strategy is to keep pressure on your opponent’s resources. Maintain a pace that necessitates the use of the Scarab’s abilities, thereby consuming your adversary’s valuable mana and card advantage during critical points of the game. Furthermore, countering it with cards like Negate ensures it never exerts its influence on the battlefield, giving you control over the flow of the game. Constant vigilance and readiness to act against artifacts are key in overcoming the challenges posed by the Scarab of the Unseen.
Remember to monitor the board state and respond swiftly to the activation of the Scarab’s abilities. By doing so, you can preserve your advantage and momentum, potentially leading to a swift and conclusive victory against any strategy that relies heavily on this particular artifact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scarab of the Unseen MTG card by a specific set like Alliances, 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 Scarab of the Unseen 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scarab of the Unseen has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |