The Pyramid of Mars MTG Card


The Pyramid of Mars allows drawing and mana acceleration, powerful in the right situations. Utilize instant speed for flexibility, adapting play to your opponent’s moves. Despite power, its specific cost and discard requirement must be considered.
The Pyramid of Mars - Doctor Who
RarityCommon
TypePlane — Mars
Abilities Surveil
Released2023-10-13
Set symbol
Set nameDoctor Who
Set codeWHO
Number597
Frame2015
LayoutPlanar
BorderBlack
Illustred byAndreas Rocha

Text of card

When you planeswalk to The Pyramid of Mars and at beginning of your upkeep, surveil 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest on top of your library in any order.) Whenever chaos ensues, return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.


Cards like The Pyramid of Mars

The Pyramid of Mars is a new contender in the world of artifact cards within Magic: The Gathering. It shares traits with iconic cards like Ugin’s Nexus, which also key in on controlling extra turns. The stark difference lies in The Pyramid of Mars’ unique approach to obtaining that additional turn, potentially requiring players to navigate a series of stipulated conditions.

Comparably, we look to Time Vault as another parallel. It affords players an extra turn in lieu of untapping, however, it does not offer the added deck and graveyard manipulation that The Pyramid of Mars provides. This level of interaction can be critical in the right deck. Additionally, we observe Sands of Time, which similarly alters the flow of turns and phases but does so with a broader effect on all players, contrasting The Pyramid of Mars’ focus on the individual player’s gain.

By reviewing these comparisons, The Pyramid of Mars sets itself as an innovative piece in the artifact puzzle. Its ability to align with certain deck archetypes that emphasize on taking extra turns while offering distinct benefits gives it an intriguing position in Magic: The Gathering’s multifaceted environment.

Ugin's Nexus - MTG Card versions
Time Vault - MTG Card versions
Sands of Time - MTG Card versions
Ugin's Nexus - MTG Card versions
Time Vault - MTG Card versions
Sands of Time - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Pyramid of Mars by color, type and mana cost

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Nephalia - MTG Card versions
Celestine Reef - MTG Card versions
Stairs to Infinity - MTG Card versions
The Great Forest - MTG Card versions
Sea of Sand - MTG Card versions
Izzet Steam Maze - MTG Card versions
Cliffside Market - MTG Card versions
Agyrem - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan - MTG Card versions
Raven's Run - MTG Card versions
Velis Vel - MTG Card versions
Academy at Tolaria West - MTG Card versions
Naar Isle - MTG Card versions
Minamo - MTG Card versions
The Fourth Sphere - MTG Card versions
Prahv - MTG Card versions
The Zephyr Maze - MTG Card versions
Kharasha Foothills - MTG Card versions
Trail of the Mage-Rings - MTG Card versions
Stensia - MTG Card versions
Nephalia - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Pyramid of Mars offers a dynamic edge in games by permitting you to sift through your library and potentially draw into more powerful spells or necessary land drops, strengthening your hand and overall strategic position.

Resource Acceleration: By providing an uptick in mana sources when it’s on the battlefield, The Pyramid of Mars can help speed up your gameplay, allowing for quicker deployment of high-cost cards and enabling game-changing plays earlier than normal.

Instant Speed: The versatility of being able to cast The Pyramid of Mars at instant speed cannot be understated. This flexibility allows savvy players to adapt on the fly, responding to an opponent’s actions or end-of-turn opportunities without forgoing the chance to interrupt during their own turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must discard another card to cast The Pyramid of Mars, which can be problematic when hand size is critical for maintaining options and control over the game’s direction.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise arrangement of mana colors, which can be difficult to achieve early on or in multicolored decks that don’t prioritize the colors in The Pyramid of Mars’ casting cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that could be deemed steep for the abilities it confers, The Pyramid of Mars might lag behind other cards in terms of efficiency, potentially slowing down the overall strategy of your deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Pyramid of Mars brings a unique dynamism to various deck builds, fitting seamlessly into strategies that capitalize on land manipulation or graveyard synergy, thereby expanding your deck’s adaptability to an ever-changing game environment.

Combo Potential: Its ability to transform lands into versatile resources opens up numerous combo avenues, partnering well with cards that benefit from land sacrifices or graveyard interactions, thereby enhancing complex play sequences that can lead to game-winning positions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where land-based strategies or recursion plays are prominent, The Pyramid of Mars showcases its worth by aligning perfectly with these elements, offering you a competitive edge in diverse playing scenarios.


How to Beat

The Pyramid of Mars card is a unique challenge in MTG that requires strategic finesse to overcome successfully. Tackling this artifact demands a well-considered approach, involving either the rapid deployment of artifact destruction spells or utilizing countermagic to preemptively stop it from influencing the board. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize serve as efficient tools in any player’s arsenal, eradicating the threat posed by The Pyramid of Mars before its effects can gain traction.

Alternatively, one can employ direct interaction with the artifact through bounce spells, undoing the progress an opponent may have been building. Committing to a diverse strategy, including a mix of direct artifact removal, board control, and tempo play can turn the tides against The Pyramid of Mars. Seasoned players will recognize that maintaining a versatile deck with answers to such specific threats is vital in navigating the elaborate landscape of MTG’s tactical warfare.

Ultimately, a combination of foresight, adaptability, and precise execution of countermeasures can defuse the latent power of The Pyramid of Mars and secure victory for the well-prepared mage.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Pyramid of Mars MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who, 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 Pyramid of Mars and other MTG cards:

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