Teachings of the Archaics MTG Card
2021-04-23 - Number 57
2021-04-23 - Number 299
2021-04-24 - Number 57p
2021-04-24 - Number 57s
2002-06-24 - Number 90038
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery — Lesson |
Text of card
If an opponent has more cards in hand than you, draw two cards. Draw three cards instead if an opponent has at least four more cards in hand than you.
Mages seek out the ancient beings known as the Archaics for their boundless knowledge of history and magic, dispensed only in cryptic metaphors.
Cards like Teachings of the Archaics
Teachings of the Archaics stands out in the pantheon of card advantage tools available to Magic: The Gathering players, drawing parallels to other card-drawing strategies. This modal double-faced card intertwines flexibility with the potential for substantial gain, prompting reflections of other spells such as Treasure Cruise. Like Teachings of the Archaics, Treasure Cruise delves into the depths of your library, albeit at a potentially lower cost due to its delve mechanic. However, Teachings of the Archaics offers the consistency of drawing three cards for five mana, without the graveyard dependency.
In relation to Compulsive Research, players are presented with another perspective. Compulsive Research allows for the drawing of three cards as well, yet mandates a discard unless a land card is thrown away. This creates a strategic variance from Teachings of the Archaics, which offers a straightforward boon without further stipulations. Lastly, we consider Stream of Thought, which not only provides card flow but also the ripple effect of repeatable utility. Despite this, Teachings of the Archaics outshines it with an immediate larger card draw.
The command Teachings of the Archaics exerts over the flow of the game by refilling the player’s hand is significant, situating it as a robust competitor among card draw spells for players aiming to maintain steam in longer matches.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Teachings of the Archaics, you increase your card resources substantially. By learning from the pool or retrieving a lesson from outside the game, it effectively grants you access to an additional card, enhancing your options and strategic depth during gameplay.
Resource Acceleration: Although Teachings of the Archaics doesn’t directly produce mana or treasure, it can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by drawing into more mana sources or cards that ramp your mana, thus speeding up your access to higher-cost cards and more complex plays.
Instant Speed: The versatility of casting this spell at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to adapt to the flow of the game, hold up mana for counterspells or removal, and then, if unneeded, use that mana to learn and improve your hand just before your turn, keeping the pressure up and the advantage in your corner.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to Teachings of the Archaics is the necessity of discarding another card. This can be a significant drawback, especially in games where every card in hand is crucial to your strategy or when you are already behind in card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Although blue mana symbolizes depth in knowledge and control, having a spell that solely requires blue mana restricts its inclusion to blue-centric or compatible decks. This card may not seamlessly fit into a multi-colored deck that is not focused on blue mana or does not sustain a reliable blue mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the card’s mana value, it’s important to assess the impact it has on the game upon casting. Teachings of the Archaics commands a mana value of three, which is a cost that may compete with other impactful plays or set up within the same mana range. In the ever-evolving landscape of Magic the Gathering, players often weigh the mana efficiency and situational versatility of a card, which can make this sorcery seem less appealing in the face of quicker or more versatile alternatives.
Reasons to Include Teachings of the Archaics in Your Collection
Versatility: Teachings of the Archaics fits seamlessly into various deck builds, notably those seeking card advantage. As a modal double-faced card, it gives players the option to cast it for its front face or as a land on the back, ensuring you’re never left without a play.
Combo Potential: In decks that capitalize on instants and sorceries, this card shines by allowing you to retrieve three cards from your graveyard with its learn mechanic. This effectively refreshes your hand with pivotal spells that could be reused to execute powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: It keeps pace with evolving metas, offering an edge in gameplay where recapturing and utilizing key spells can make the difference. Against control decks, for instance, replenishing resources to outlast an opponent’s counterspell arsenal becomes invaluable, making Teachings of the Archaics a must-have.
How to Beat Teachings of the Archaics
In the realm of spell-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering, Teachings of the Archaics stands out as a multi-faceted card. Much like its predecessors in card advantage mechanics, this card enables the drawing of three cards for the player. Its unique feature, however, is its Learn ability which allows you to rummage through your sideboard or discard a card to gain an edge in resources. In comparison to other draw spells, this added flexibility provides tactical depth.
When facing off against Teachings of the Archaics, it’s essential to disrupt the opponent’s strategy to hinder their ability to capitalize on their Learn mechanic. This can involve countering the spell directly, using graveyard manipulation to remove it from the game, or even leveraging hand disruption to remove it before it’s cast. By preventing your opponent from successfully resolving Teachings of the Archaics, you ensure they don’t benefit from the card draw and strategizing opportunities it could have provided, thereby maintaining an upper hand in resource and information control.
Ultimately, overcoming Teachings of the Archaics demands a proactive approach to control the flow of the game and diminish your opponent’s card advantage potential. By prioritizing strategic plays over reactionary ones, you can ensure that this card’s impact is minimized, thereby steering the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Teachings of the Archaics MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Teachings of the Archaics and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Teachings of the Archaics Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-24. Illustrated by Lius Lasahido.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 90038 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | ||
| 2 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | |
| 3 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 299 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | |
| 4 | 2021-04-24 | Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos | PSTX | 57p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | |
| 5 | 2021-04-24 | Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos | PSTX | 57s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Teachings of the Archaics has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Teachings of the Archaics card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-04-16 | Although you may want to include Lessons in your sideboard if you’re playing with cards that instruct you to learn, Lesson cards can be included in your main deck like other instant or sorcery cards. |
| 2021-04-16 | Lesson is a spell subtype found on some instant and sorcery cards in the Strixhaven set. The Lesson subtype has no special rules associated with it. |
| 2021-04-16 | The number of cards in each player’s hand is determined as Teachings of the Archaics resolves. |