Vivien's Arkbow MTG Card
2019-05-03 - Number 181
2019-05-04 - Number 181s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Artifact |
Text of card
, , Discard a card: Look at the top X cards of your library. You may put a creature card with mana value X or less from among them onto the battlefield. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Cards like Vivien's Arkbow
Vivien’s Arkbow is an intriguing card within the MTG arsenal, introducing a unique twist in creature deployment. It stands in comparison with other artifact cards like Aether Vial, which also puts creatures onto the battlefield without paying their mana costs. Vivien’s Arkbow, however, allows for greater flexibility, offering the choice to discard a card and pay X to seek a creature with converted mana cost X or less directly from the deck, effectively bypassing both hand and graveyard.
Likewise, we see similitudes with Collected Company. Both cards aim to whisk creatures into play by circumventing traditional casting. Albeit Collected Company brings creatures into play directly from the top six cards of the deck for a set cost, lacking the selective control Vivien’s Arkbow provides. Then there’s Lurking Predators, which can also be a surprise trove of creatures, though it relies on opponents’ spells to trigger its effect rather than strategic choice.
In essence, while these alternatives share the ambition of cheating creatures onto the battlefield, Vivien’s Arkbow’s ability to dig for the perfect creature match at the right moment sets it apart, enhancing its strategic fit within the vast landscape of MTG cards designed for creature-focused decks.
Cards similar to Vivien's Arkbow by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Vivien's Arkbow. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Greasefang | Pioneer | Abzan Greasefang | #22 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Vivien’s Arkbow, players can delve into their deck to put creatures right onto the battlefield. This process bypasses the need for drawing and then playing creatures the traditional way, which can give a significant edge in maintaining a hand full of options.
Resource Acceleration: This card efficiently utilizes mana of any color, allowing players to convert unused mana at the end of turns into potential threats on the board. It makes every unspent mana a resource for advancing your board state, effectively accelerating your ability to influence the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Vivien’s Arkbow at instant speed gives players the liberty to wait until the most opportune moment, such as the end of an opponent’s turn, to introduce new creatures to the fray. This flexibility can keep opponents guessing and allows for the element of surprise, often disrupting their strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Vivien’s Arkbow mandates that you discard another card as part of its activation cost. This can become a critical disadvantage, especially during late-game scenarios when your hand may already be depleted, potentially forcing you to choose between holding key spells or using the Arkbow’s ability.
Specific Mana Cost: Although the initial cast is flexible with generic mana, the activation of Vivien’s Arkbow requires green mana. This restricts its seamless inclusion across various deck archetypes, predominantly confining it to green-centric or green-compatible decks where such mana is readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For setup and utilization, Vivien’s Arkbow demands a considerable mana investment. Not only does it cost one green and one generic mana to play, but its activation cost also scales with the creature you wish to fetch. In matches where tempo plays a crucial role, the mana you invest into the Arkbow could arguably be better spent on immediate board presence or interaction.
Reasons to Include Vivien’s Arkbow in Your Collection
Versatility: Vivien’s Arkbow offers a dynamic tool for creature-based decks, allowing players to dig through their library for the right creature card at any given moment, ensuring they’re never without a potential threat or key tactical piece on the board.
Combo Potential: This card has excellent synergy with untap effects, graveyard fillers, and can be used to instantly throw a surprise blocker or end-of-turn threat onto the battlefield, making it a linchpin for tricky and unpredictable combos.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature strategies remain a staple in many formats, having an artifact like Vivien’s Arkbow means you can adapt to an ever-changing battlefield, ensuring that whatever the current trends or dominant deck types are, you have a responsive and impactful asset at your disposal.
How to Beat
Vivien’s Arkbow presents MTG players with a unique challenge, boasting the ability to dig deep into a library to cheat creatures onto the battlefield. To outmaneuver this artifact, awareness of your opponent’s mana reserve is key, as the Arkbow’s power hinges on this resource. Engaging in strategies that limit your opponent’s mana can disrupt their Arkbow’s efficacy.
Moreover, considering the Arkbow’s reliance on the discard of a card, hand disruption tactics can significantly reduce its threat. Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can pluck key creatures from your opponent’s grasp before they even have a chance to use the Arkbow. In addition, having instant speed removal or counterspells ready when your opponent activates the Arkbow can nullify the threat of any creature they might attempt to put into play.
Lastly, artifact removal spells such as Abrade or Nature’s Claim offer direct solutions, allowing you to destroy or exile the Arkbow itself. This not only prevents future threats but might also leave your opponent with fewer cards in hand, reducing their overall potential to impact the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vivien's Arkbow MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and War of the Spark Promos, 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 Vivien's Arkbow 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 Vivien's Arkbow Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2019-05-04. Illustrated by Zack Stella.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-05-03 | War of the Spark | WAR | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 2 | 2019-05-04 | War of the Spark Promos | PWAR | 181s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vivien's Arkbow 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 Vivien's Arkbow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-05-03 | If a card in your library has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0. |