Spectral Arcanist MTG Card


Offers card draw and resource acceleration, bolstering your ability to outpace opponents during matches. Requires careful play due to its specific mana cost and potential to deplete your hand resources. Enhances decks focusing on instant or sorceries, proving vital for combos and longer games.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Spirit Wizard
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying When Spectral Arcanist enters the battlefield, you may cast an instant or sorcery spell with mana value less than or equal to the number of Spirits you control from a graveyard without paying its mana cost. If that spell would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead.


Cards like Spectral Arcanist

Stepping into the realm of spell manipulation, Spectral Arcanist offers a unique spin for players seeking magical supremacy. This card draws comparison to other notable cards like Snapcaster Mage, a fan-favorite known for granting an instant or sorcery card in your graveyard flashback until end of turn. While Snapcaster Mage provides immediate value, Spectral Arcanist requires a bit more setup, only allowing you to cast the next instant or sorcery spell from exile without paying its mana cost after it attacks.

Another analog is Elite Arcanist, which exiles an instant card from your hand and lets you cast it multiple times by paying some mana. While Elite Arcanist can repeatedly harness the same spell’s power, Spectral Arcanist’s capacity to overcome mana limitations for a potentially game-changing play can’t be overlooked. Additionally, Torrential Gearhulk closely mirrors Spectral Arcanist’s capabilities by enabling you to cast an instant from your graveyard as it enters the battlefield. Gearhulk’s lack of recurring value when compared to Spectral Arcanist’s ongoing threat each combat phase demonstrates the nuanced balance between these similar cards.

Analyzing the strategic depth, Spectral Arcanist can be a valuable piece in decks that aim to capitalize on casting high-cost spells for free, significantly impacting the state of the game when used skillfully. Its comparison with these cards reveals a versatile addition to any spell-focused deck in MTG.

Snapcaster Mage - MTG Card versions
Elite Arcanist - MTG Card versions
Torrential Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Snapcaster Mage - MTG Card versions
Elite Arcanist - MTG Card versions
Torrential Gearhulk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spectral Arcanist by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
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Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spectral Arcanist can be a key to staying ahead in the game by offering additional draws. This not only gives you more options during your turn but can also disrupt your opponent’s strategy by providing a steady flow of new spells for you to cast.

Resource Acceleration: With Spectral Arcanist’s potential to untap lands, it allows for a surge in available resources. This acceleration empowers you to play out your hand more quickly and efficiently, letting you cast more impactful spells sooner than your opponents might expect.

Instant Speed: The ability to deploy Spectral Arcanist at instant speed creates a tactical advantage. It enables you to react to your opponent’s moves with precision, making it easier to counter their strategy while progressing your own board state without missing a beat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Spectral Arcanist requires a card to be discarded in order to utilize its full potential. This precondition might strain your hand, especially when you’re playing a strategy that thrives on maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this spell demands a stringent combination of mana, including both blue and other colors. This mana specificity can sometimes restrict deck-building flexibility, confining the Spectral Arcanist to decks that can consistently produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though the Spectral Arcanist provides utility, its cost is on the higher end for its effect. Players might find that other cards offer similar benefits or better synergies with their deck at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Spectral Arcanist is a multifaceted card that seamlessly integrates into various deck archetypes, providing an instant boost to strategies that hinge on spell-slinging or tempo plays.

Combo Potential: This spellcaster’s ability to potentially cast an array of instants or sorceries from your library not only cultivates fruitful synergies but also can tip the scales in combo-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: Especially in environments where longer games dominate, the Spectral Arcanist’s ability to deliver consistent value over time makes it an astute pick for players looking to remain one step ahead of the competition.


How to beat

Spectral Arcanist presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield, gaining strength from the spells you cast from your hand. As a MTG player, understanding how to mitigate its impact is key to outmaneuvering your opponent when this creature comes into play. The answer often lies in preemptive action. Removing Spectral Arcanist from the board before it can leverage its abilities is crucial. Options such as targeted removal spells, which bypass the creature’s defenses, are highly effective. Consider instant-speed removals to disrupt your opponent’s synergy during their turn.

Moreover, countering the spells that trigger Spectral Arcanist’s abilities can be an equally effective strategy. Disabling the Arcanist’s support network will nullify its threats. This can be achieved through counterspells or by stripping away critical cards from your opponent’s hand before they have a chance to cast them. Your ultimate aim is to never let Spectral Arcanist charge up, keeping your opponent’s strategy from ever reaching its full potential.

The key takeaway is to stay one step ahead of Spectral Arcanist, utilizing spells and strategies that undermine its ability to capitalize on the cards in hand. With the right tactics, this formidable foe can be rendered relatively harmless on the MTG battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG gameplay is all about making informed decisions both on and off the battlefield. Spectral Arcanist offers a blend of promise and challenge, providing card advantage and resource acceleration while demanding strategic deck construction. Understanding how it compares to cards like Snapcaster Mage and Torrential Gearhulk will guide you in leveraging its potential. Overcoming its cons with skillful play can shift the tides of battle in your favor. Visit us to further explore strategies that elevate your deck’s performance, ensuring that Spectral Arcanist becomes a fearsome ally in your quest for victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spectral Arcanist MTG card by a specific set like Crimson Vow Commander and Crimson Vow Commander, 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 Spectral Arcanist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spectral Arcanist Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Johan Grenier.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 532015NormalBlackJohan Grenier
22021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 152015NormalBlackJohan Grenier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spectral Arcanist has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spectral Arcanist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-11-19 If you cast a spell with X in its mana cost this way, you must choose 0 as the value for X.
2021-11-19 If you cast a spell without paying its mana cost, you may choose to pay additional costs (such as kicker) but not alternative costs (such as flashback).
2021-11-19 If you choose to cast the spell, you must do so as Spectral Arcanist's ability is resolving. You can't wait and cast it later.