Slate of Ancestry MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 310
2005-07-29 - Number 308
2005-07-29 - Number 308★
2007-11-16 - Number 25
2014-12-05 - Number 25
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o4, oc T, Discard your hand: Draw a card for each creature you control.
The pattern of life can be studied like a book, if you know how to read it.
Cards like Slate of Ancestry
The uniqueness of the Slate of Ancestry lies in its ability to turn creature quantity into card quantity. Comparable to this artifact, we have the likes of Staff of Nin, which also provides a consistent card draw. However, Staff of Nin offers a set draw of one extra card per turn without requiring a creature sacrifice, contrasting with Slate of Ancestry’s potential for a more substantial one-time draw depending on the creatures you control.
Moving on, the card Mind’s Eye allows players to draw each time their opponent draws, providing an ongoing advantage – particularly in multiplayer settings. This incremental draw strategy differs from the explosive and potentially massive draw that Slate of Ancestry can trigger. Then, there is the classic Wheel of Fortune, a spell that refills everyone’s hand to seven cards. It’s a game-changer but doesn’t rely on your board state like Slate of Ancestry does, aiming for those moments when you have a significant army at your disposal.
In evaluating the options for mass card advantage in MTG, Slate of Ancestry can be an extraordinary inclusion, especially in formats where accruing a large creature presence is part of the strategy, giving it the edge in terms of raw drawing power based on game conditions.
Cards similar to Slate of Ancestry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Slate of Ancestry offers a potentially vast card draw mechanism that is dependent on the number of creatures you control. In decks that swarm the battlefield with creatures, this can translate into drawing a significant number of cards, eclipsing what many other card draw engines can offer, thus ensuring a full hand to maintain pressure on your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: By refilling your hand based on your creature count, Slate of Ancestry effectively accelerates your resource availability. This allows you to access more of your deck’s potential at a quicker pace, potentially turning the tide of the game in your favor by overwhelming your opponents with a relentless stream of threats.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Slate of Ancestry at instant speed provides flexibility, as you can choose the most opportune moment to refill your hand, such as after declaring attackers during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s action. This instant speed activation also means it pairs well with untap effects, potentially allowing multiple uses in a single turn cycle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Using Slate of Ancestry involves discarding your hand, which can deplete your resources drastically, making it a risky play if you cannot capitalize on the new cards drawn.
Specific Mana Cost: Slate of Ancestry has a four mana activation cost, which can be demanding especially since it also competes with other impactful plays in this mana range.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment plus the activation cost can be quite steep. There are lower cost alternatives when it comes to restocking your hand that may better suit decks with tighter mana curves.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Slate of Ancestry offers a unique card draw mechanism that’s adaptable to various deck builds. It’s significantly beneficial in decks with a strong creature presence, allowing you to refill your hand proportionally to the number of creatures you control.
Combo Potential: This card works wonders in synergy-driven decks. It can be a key piece in combos, particularly in settings that proliferate creature tokens, transforming a crowded battlefield into a fresh grip of possibilities.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where card advantage is crucial, Slate of Ancestry can tip the scales. It shines in matches where stalling tactics are prevalent, offering a replenishable reservoir of resources to outlast opponents.
How to beat
Slate of Ancestry is a unique artifact card in MTG that hinges on creature numbers to refuel a player’s hand. Competing against this powerful engine, your strategy should focus on limiting your opponent’s creature presence. To outpace the card advantage provided by Slate of Ancestry, effective board wipes become crucial. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board and undermine your opponent’s capacity to draw multiple cards. Having instant-speed creature removal or counters for the activation can also intercept their attempts to capitalize on a populated board.
Interacting with their graveyard is another angle. Graveyard hate cards, like Relic of Progenitus, can neuter the Slate’s effectiveness by reducing the available creatures that return to the battlefield from graveyard recursion. Another method includes pressuring your opponent’s mana resources or their artifacts directly with artifact removal like Shatter or Naturalize. These strategies are essential to contain the otherwise overwhelming card draw potential that Slate of Ancestry offers in the right deck environment.
In essence, disrupting your opponent’s creature-based strategies, being proactive with removal, and hitting their resources are key to diminishing the impact of Slate of Ancestry in a game of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slate of Ancestry MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Ninth Edition, 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 Slate of Ancestry 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 Slate of Ancestry Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Corey D. Macourek.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 310 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Corey D. Macourek | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 308 | 2003 | Normal | White | Corey D. Macourek | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 308★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Corey D. Macourek | |
| 4 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | 25 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Corey D. Macourek | |
| 5 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Corey D. Macourek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slate of Ancestry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |