Scholar of Stars MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 71
2020-11-20 - Number 92
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Artificer |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Scholar of Stars enters the battlefield, if you control an artifact, draw a card.
"The path of the stars is as reliable as the instruments that measure them."
Cards like Scholar of Stars
Scholar of Stars is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering, fitting neatly into decks that capitalize on artifacts. Its kinship with cards like Aether Swooper becomes evident through the shared affinity for artifacts — both releasing potential when you control one. Yet, Scholar of Stars demands no energy counterpart, differentiating itself by offering direct card draw if you meet its condition.
Akin to the Scholar, Filigree Familiar offers its controller card advantage, but through a different avenue. While the familiarity exits the battlefield to provide the draw, the Scholar yields immediate value as soon as it enters, provided you have an artifact in play. Trophy Mage is another notable comparison, neither drawing cards directly nor when entering the battlefield, but specifically tutoring for a qualifying artifact, offering a more targeted approach to accessing your deck’s resources.
Ultimately, Scholar of Stars provides a robust choice for players looking to synergize with artifacts while also seeking to maintain card advantage, making it an efficient piece in strategies that favor such interactions within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Scholar of Stars by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The ability of Scholar of Stars to enable a card draw after casting another artifact provides players with an edge by refilling their hand, thus potentially outpacing opponents by sheer volume of resources.
Resource Acceleration: This card contributes to resource acceleration in decks centered around artifacts. When synergizing with other artifact-based strategies, Scholar of Stars can be part of a combo that unlocks your deck’s full potential more quickly.
Instant Speed: While Scholar of Stars itself is not an instant, it fits snugly into decks that operate at instant speed. Its role bolsters the strategy of deploying threats and interacting with the board at times that are most inconvenient for opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Scholar of Stars is that it doesn’t have any built-in mechanism to offset the downside of losing resources which can be prevalent in game situations where hand size is diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: Players must allocate a specific combination of mana to cast Scholar of Stars. This can create challenges in decks that have a diverse color palette or those that require mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Scholar of Stars offers a moderate body and a conditional ability. There are alternatives in the format that could provide a more immediate impact on the game or demand less stringent conditions for their effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Scholar of Stars shines when you’re running a deck rich in artifacts. Being able to draw a card when it enters the battlefield, provided you control an artifact, easily fits into artifact-centric or blue-based strategies.
Combo Potential: This creature can be a cog in engine decks, triggering when artifacts come into play or are sacrificed. Its ability to help cycle through your deck can unearth key combo pieces when you need them the most.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where drawing cards can make or break a match, Scholar of Stars is particularly useful. Its role in any deck that seeks to maintain a full grip of options cannot be overstated, especially in matches that pivot on card advantage.
How to beat
Scholar of Stars is a card that casts its magic in the world of MTG by leveraging the presence of artifacts. This spell’s ability to draw a player a card when an artifact is in play can be a game-changer, pacing the player towards victory with a fuller hand. However, the key to neutralizing this academic powerhouse lies in artifact control.
Effective artifact removal cards are quintessential in disabling the Scholar’s advantages. Cards like Abrade or Naturalize offer a low-cost solution to this challenge, sweeping away the artifacts that fuel the Scholar’s thirst for knowledge and leaving your opponent’s strategy in disarray. Additionally, counter spells that prevent the Scholar of Stars from ever entering the battleground, like Counterspell or Essence Scatter, can nip the problem in the bud and secure your dominance on the playing field.
In essence, keeping your opponent’s artifacts at bay or preventing the Scholar from seeing play altogether are clear pathways to ensure this creature doesn’t tip the scales against you. While this method requires precise timing and strategy, its effectiveness is well-tested in the MTG environment, safeguarding you against the tactical advantage that Scholar of Stars might otherwise provide.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scholar of Stars MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Commander Legends, 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 Scholar of Stars 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 Scholar of Stars Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Tommy Arnold.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 71 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tommy Arnold | |
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 92 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tommy Arnold |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scholar of Stars has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |