The Blackstaff of Waterdeep MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 48
2021-07-23 - Number 48a
2021-07-23 - Number 48s
2021-07-23 - Number 48p
2021-07-23 - Number 365
2002-06-24 - Number 92676
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Artifact |
Text of card
You may choose not to untap The Blackstaff of Waterdeep during your untap step. Animate Walking Statue — , : Another target nontoken artifact you control becomes a 4/4 artifact creature for as long as The Blackstaff of Waterdeep remains tapped. Activate only as a sorcery.
Cards like The Blackstaff of Waterdeep
The Blackstaff of Waterdeep emerges as a notable card within the realm of artifact-based abilities in MTG. It shares some properties with cards like Karn, the Great Creator, which also revolves around artifacts but with a greater focus on restriction and manipulation. The Blackstaff’s unique trait is its potential to animate other artifacts, effectively transforming them into powerful creature tokens—a feature not present in Karn’s arsenal.
Another card that sweeps into this comparison is Mirrorworks. It echoes the thematic line of copying artifacts, yet it doesn’t offer the same animating dynamic that characterizes The Blackstaff of Waterdeep. While Mirrorworks doubles your artifacts, The Blackstaff turns noncreature artifacts into formidable construct creatures, which can be a pivotal switch in the pace of a game.
Evaluating the capabilities of these cards, The Blackstaff of Waterdeep holds its ground in MTG for players who value the sudden and strategic conversion of artifacts into threats. This ability can create unexpected battlefield developments, especially when timed aptly, positioning The Blackstaff as a distinctive and tactical choice in artifact-centric decks.
Cards similar to The Blackstaff of Waterdeep by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using The Blackstaff of Waterdeep. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Metalwork Colossus | Pioneer | Metalwork Colossus | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-10 (1) |
 | Land Destruction | Modern | Land Destruction | Modern Challenge 96 2024-02-17 |
| Azorius Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 | |
| Jeskai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Izzet Ensoul Artifact | Pioneer | Izzet Ensoul Artifact | Pioneer Preliminary 2023-12-05 (1) |
 | Simic Aggro | Pioneer | Artifact Aggro | Peasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Blackstaff of Waterdeep is a powerful asset that can lead to significant card advantage by animating inanimate objects as formidable creatures. This allows players to essentially create additional threats from cards that would otherwise serve a less aggressive purpose.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, this artifact enables a form of resource acceleration by turning noncreature artifacts into creatures that can quickly shift the board state in your favor, offering an alternate route to deploying threats without expending cards from your hand.
Instant Speed: The Blackstaff of Waterdeep’s ability to animate artifacts at instant speed gives players tactical flexibility. You can catch opponents off-guard during their turn, transforming seemingly innocuous artifacts into surprising blockers or attackers, thus maximizing both the element of surprise and the utilization of your resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Blackstaff of Waterdeep card doesn’t directly ask for a card discard, but in a roundabout way, it influences your hand because it requires you to exile another creature card you own from the battlefield or your hand. This can be especially taxing when your hand is already depleted and you’re banking on all available resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact demands two specific types of mana (one blue and one generic), making it less flexible for decks that are not focused on blue mana. For players not running a primarily blue or blue-inclusive deck, including The Blackstaff of Waterdeep can be a challenge, impacting the fluidity of your mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of two, it sits in a midrange cost slot. While not excessively expensive, in the rapidly evolving game landscape, there are several other artifacts or spells that may provide a more immediate impact on the board for a similar, if not the same, cost. Players might find themselves weighing the potential future benefit of The Blackstaff of Waterdeep against pressing current demands on their mana resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Blackstaff of Waterdeep is a card that seamlessly integrates into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to turn noncreature artifacts into 4/4 constructs offers a dynamic tool for strategies focusing on artifacts or those that simply benefit from having a strong board presence.
Combo Potential: With a wealth of artifacts available in the MTG universe, this card presents numerous possibilities for creating powerful combos. It can transform utility artifacts that have outlived their initial purpose into formidable creatures ready to contest the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating environment of MTG, the adaptability of The Blackstaff of Waterdeep means it can be a sage inclusion in decks aiming to contend with a wide range of opponents, ensuring its relevance in various meta scenarios.
How to beat
The Blackstaff of Waterdeep card emerges as a tool of transformation, allowing players to animate noncreature artifacts into powerful creature cards. Its capacity to turn seemingly innocuous artifacts into formidable 4/4 constructs mirrors the flexibility found in versatile spells that blur the lines between card types. Strategically, this card presents a dual threat by not only creating new creature threats but also cleverly bypassing summoning sickness, which offers a significant tempo advantage.
However, conquering this versatile artifact entails a tactical approach. Targeted removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize become pivotal by dismantling the Blackstaff’s influence directly. Alternatively, efficient artifact creature removal like Fatal Push or Abrade, adapted to the power level of an animated artifact, can swiftly neutralize the 4/4 construct threat. Moreover, cards like Karn, Scion of Urza that revolve around noncreature artifacts can be weakened by disrupting synergy with The Blackstaff of Waterdeep.
All in all, pinpointing the transformational power of The Blackstaff of Waterdeep and addressing it through direct artifact interaction or interference with underlying synergy proves to be a critical strategy in maintaining control over the board and outpacing your opponent’s animated artifact endeavors.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase The Blackstaff of Waterdeep MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Blackstaff of Waterdeep 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 The Blackstaff of Waterdeep Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Anna Steinbauer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 92676 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | ||
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 48 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 48a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
| 4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 48s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 48p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer | |
| 6 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 365 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anna Steinbauer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where The Blackstaff of Waterdeep has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |