The Archimandrite MTG Card
2022-11-18 - Number 26
2022-11-18 - Number 46
2002-06-24 - Number 105780
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Advisor |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Key Takeaways
- The Archimandrite excels in providing card draw for sustained advantage throughout the game.
- Its ability for instant speed play offers strategic flexibility during critical game moments.
- Requires careful planning due to specific mana cost and a higher casting investment.
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain X life, where X is the number of cards in your hand minus 4. Whenever you gain life, each Advisor, Artificer, and Monk you control gains vigilance and gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the amount of life you gained. Tap three untapped Advisors, Artificers, and/or Monks you control: Draw a card.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Archimandrite shines in providing card advantage through its ability to consistently generate card draw, ensuring a steady stream of options for players during the game. This particular trait is invaluable as it can be the difference between victory and defeat, especially in longer, more drawn-out engagements.
Resource Acceleration: Another significant benefit offered by The Archimandrite is its role in resource acceleration. By facilitating additional mana resources, players can expedite their gameplay, bringing high-cost spells and crucial abilities into play much earlier than usual, thereby altering the game’s pace in their favor.
Instant Speed: The capability to utilize The Archimandrite at instant speed provides a strategic edge, granting the flexibility to react during pivotal moments in an opponent’s turn. This adaptability allows players to make optimal decisions with the maximum amount of information, often leading to more efficient and effective plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Archimandrite demands you to discard another card as part of its casting process. This can be particularly challenging when your hand is already depleted or when every card you hold is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: To summon The Archimandrite, you’ll need to tap into not just any mana, but a precise combination. This could potentially restrict your ability to integrate this card into a multi-colored deck or demand significant mana fixing to ensure it can be played on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demanding mana cost that elevates expectations for the card’s impact in the game, The Archimandrite might not always live up to the investment, especially when compared to other options available at a similar or even lower mana threshold.
Reasons to Include The Archimandrite in Your Collection
Versatility: The Archimandrite offers a broad spectrum of gameplay options, as it can seamlessly integrate into various commander decks. Its attributes cater to strategies that hinge on creature control and deck manipulation, making it a flexible addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: This card has innate synergies that can be exploited for game-winning combos. Its abilities can interact with a swath of cards, setting the stage for potent interactions and unexpected turns that can sway the tide of a game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Owing to its ability to influence the battlefield, The Archimandrite maintains a level of relevance within the current meta. Its tailored effects can be particularly advantageous against popular deck archetypes, providing you with crucial advantages during gameplay.
How to beat
The Archimandrite presents a formidable challenge on the battlefield, boasting an array of abilities that can quickly overwhelm unprepared opponents. To effectively counter this card, players must adopt a strategy focused on disrupting its synergies and denying its advantages. Key to achieving this are instant-speed removal spells that can eliminate The Archimandrite before its controller gets the chance to leverage its full potential, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile.
Another effective method is utilizing counter magic to prevent The Archimandrite from hitting the play field in the first place. Counterspell, Mana Leak, and Negate stand out as efficient tools to keep The Archimandrite at bay. Additionally, cards that offer versatile responses such as Krosan Grip or Abrupt Decay, which can’t be countered, also provide a safety net against this high-impact card.
Finally, preparing sideboard cards that specialize in handling powerful creatures can reinforce your defense against The Archimandrite. Cards like Leyline of the Void can negate graveyard-related strategies often associated with The Archimandrite, diminishing its impact on the game. By staying one step ahead and employing these tactics, the daunting task of conquering The Archimandrite becomes a winnable battle.
Cards like The Archimandrite
The Archimandrite card sparks interest for those familiar with the roster of MTG creature spells. Digging into MTG’s extensive library, it’s worth comparing The Archimandrite to other similar cards that players might consider as alternatives for their decks. One such example is Mentor of the Meek, which has the capability to draw cards at a cost. This similar mechanic of card advantage is pivotal in game strategy, though The Archimandrite offers it through a different trigger condition.
Emeria Shepherd is another card that offers a different form of utility. While it focuses more on board state by potentially returning permanents from the graveyard to the battlefield, The Archimandrite may lean towards shaping your hand composition and game plan. Lastly, consider Sun Titan, famous for its recurring ability to retrieve low-cost permanents every turn. Comparatively, The Archimandrite provides card advantage upfront without needing to attack or leave the battlefield. Although each card has its unique strengths, The Archimandrite distinguishes itself with straight-forward value delivery, cementing its role in decks designed around creature-centric strategies and card draw synergy.
Cards similar to The Archimandrite by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase The Archimandrite MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The Brothers' War 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 The Archimandrite and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The The Archimandrite Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Cristi Balanescu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 105780 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cristi Balanescu | ||
| 2 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Commander | BRC | 26 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cristi Balanescu | |
| 3 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War Commander | BRC | 46 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cristi Balanescu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where The Archimandrite has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Archimandrite card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-10-14 | Since The Archimandrite’s activated ability doesn’t have a tap symbol in its cost, you can tap creatures that haven’t been under your control since your most recent turn began (including The Archimandrite itself) to pay the cost. |
| 2022-10-14 | You can’t gain negative amounts of life. If you have fewer than four cards in hand as the first ability resolves, you won’t gain any life, but you won’t lose any life either. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.