Vexing Arcanix MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 344
2003-07-28 - Number 319
2003-07-28 - Number 319★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o3,oc T: Target player names a card and then turns over the top card of his or her library. If that is the card named, put it into the player's hand. Otherwise, put it into the player's graveyard, and Vexing Arcanix deals 2 damage to that player.
Cards like Vexing Arcanix
Vexing Arcanix stands out in the realm of MTG artifacts known for their cunning and often punishing abilities. A counterpart in this niche is the iconic Icy Manipulator, an artifact capable of freezing a tapped creature or land. While Vexing Arcanix delves into the psyche with its guess-based penalty, Icy Manipulator takes a more direct approach, disrupting opponent’s strategies through controlled tapping.
Another related mechanism is exhibited by Ghoulcaller’s Bell. This artifact forces each player to mill the top card of their library, embodying the unpredictability of Vexing Arcanix but without the guessing game. Both enable players to toy with the unknown elements of their opponent’s deck, though in different manners. Then we have Codex Shredder, which allows for targeted milling and the retrieval of one’s own cards, offering utility that is more precise compared to the broader effect of Vexing Arcanix.
To conclude, within the family of mind-bending MTG artifacts, Vexing Arcanix holds its own with its unique guessing game dynamic, distinguishing itself from other artifacts that control or manipulate player’s forces and decks. Each artifact offers its own strategic value and gameplay style, accentuating the rich diversity of MTG’s card pool.
Cards similar to Vexing Arcanix by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vexing Arcanix provides significant advantage by potentially disrupting your opponent’s hand while you gain insight into their strategy. This card’s ability to look at an opponent’s hand and force a discard can be especially powerful in formats where hand knowledge is as crucial as the resources in play.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a resource accelerator, Vexing Arcanix can indirectly influence resource management. By selectively discarding key cards from your opponent’s hand, you can slow down their game plan, making your own resources more impactful as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: While Vexing Arcanix’s abilities don’t operate at instant speed, the knowledge it provides can inform instant-speed decisions in subsequent turns. Understanding what your opponent is holding lets you time your instants and other tricks with precision, thereby elevating your overall strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vexing Arcanix demands that you relinquish a card from your hand, which might lead to a deficit in your hand size and reduce your options for future plays. This self-discarding strategy could backfire if you’re not ahead in resources or if you depend on card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting this card requires a specific mix of mana, including both generic and blue mana. This composition can sometimes be tricky to assemble, particularly in multicolored decks where mana base consistency is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a total of four mana to bring into play, Vexing Arcanix’s activation cost is not only demanding but also requires further investment each turn to utilize its ability. This can lead to a slower gameplay, potentially putting you at a disadvantage against decks that operate more efficiently with lower-costing cards.
Reasons to Include Vexing Arcanix in Your Collection
Versatility: Vexing Arcanix offers a unique way to influence both players’ hands, acting as both a disruption tool and an information gatherer, making it a solid fit for control and combo decks alike.
Combo Potential: This artifact thrives in environments where knowing your opponent’s hand is key, teaming up well with cards that benefit from forced discards or punish opponents for holding specific cards.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay where psychological warfare and hand manipulation are important, Vexing Arcanix can shift the tide of the match, proving to be a crucial piece in dominating opponent strategies.
How to beat
Vexing Arcanix is a unique artifact in the world of Magic the Gathering that poses both an opportunity and a challenge for players. When it comes to countering this artifact, understanding its mechanics is crucial. Activating Vexing Arcanix requires an investment of four mana and involves choosing a card name, then making your opponent reveal a card at random from their hand. If the card revealed is the one named, Vexing Arcanix deals 2 damage to that player.
Navigating around this tricky artifact involves being unpredictable. Since your opponent must guess the card name accurately to deal damage, varying your plays and holding a diverse hand can minimize the potential impact of Vexing Arcanix. Additionally, cards that offer protection from artifacts or that can swiftly remove artifacts from the battlefield can neutralize its effect effectively, ensuring that the Arcanix’s perplexing gamble doesn’t pay off for your opponent. Disenchant effects, counter spells, and quick removal tools should be at the ready when facing down Vexing Arcanix’s challenge.
In essence, defeating Vexing Arcanix in MTG involves a mix of strategic play, maintaining card hand diversity, and having the right countermeasures prepared. By employing this approach, you can render the Vexing Arcanix a non-threat and keep the game’s momentum in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vexing Arcanix MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Eighth Edition, 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 Vexing Arcanix 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 Vexing Arcanix Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 344 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 319 | 2003 | Normal | White | Jim Nelson | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 319★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vexing Arcanix has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vexing Arcanix card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If the player has no cards in their library, the effect does nothing. It does not cause any damage. |
| 2004-10-04 | The target player names a card on resolution. |