Vodalian Arcanist MTG Card

Vodalian Arcanist accelerates and empowers instant/sorcery spell casting for early game advantage. Specialized use in spell-heavy decks but lacks versatility due to mana type restriction. Essential for certain competitive MTG metagames, though its niche role may limit broader use.

Dominaria (DOM)
2018-04-27 - Number 73

Core Set 2021 (M21)
2020-07-03 - Number 83

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Merfolk Wizard
Power	1
Toughness	3

Text of card

: Add . Spend this mana only to cast an instant or sorcery spell.

The Vodalian Empire tends to be insular. The scholarly Volshe caste are the exception, using education as an antidote to xenophobia.

Cards like Vodalian Arcanist

Vodalian Arcanist is a useful creature in the panorama of mana accelerants within Magic: The Gathering. Much like the widely recognized Merfolk Looter, Vodalian Arcanist aids in spellcasting by providing additional mana. However, Vodalian Arcanist is unique in that it’s tailored specifically to instant and sorcery spells, giving it a defined role in certain decks that heavily rely on these types.

Comparably, there’s Apprentice Wizard, a classic card that provides a more substantial mana boost but at a higher casting cost and without the instant or sorcery restriction. While Vodalian Arcanist is more niche, limited to a subtype of spells, Apprentice Wizard offers a broader mana utility, making it suitable for decks seeking general mana ramp.

Goblin Electromancer is another card that mirrors Vodalian Arcanist’s dedication to instants and sorceries, offering cost reduction for these spells. While it doesn’t add to your mana pool, reducing the cost of your spells can be equally potent, especially in decks designed around combo casting. This showcases how Vodalian Arcanist holds its place as an essential component in decks that favor instant and sorcery spell efficiency.

Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vodalian Arcanist by color, type and mana cost

Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vodalian Arcanist serves as a catalyst for card advantage, enhancing the potential to cast impactful draw spells sooner and outpace your opponent in resources.

Resource Acceleration: This card effectively reduces the cost of sorceries and instant spells, which accelerates your ability to utilize game-changing spells ahead of the normal mana curve.

Instant Speed: While Vodalian Arcanist itself isn’t an instant, it empowers you to cast potent instant-speed spells earlier, bolstering your reactive capabilities and keeping opponents on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vodalian Arcanist can be at a disadvantage when spell casting requires you to discard cards, effectively limiting your hand size and potentially reducing your options on future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: The Arcanist’s ability to add a colorless mana only for instant or sorcery spells makes it less versatile, fitting primarily into decks focused on those spell types and possibly clashing with mana bases needing flexibility for other spell costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a two-mana creature whose ability is rather niche, players might find the card slot better served by more impactful creatures or lower-cost mana accelerants that don’t restrict the mana usage to specific types of spells.

Reasons to Include Vodalian Arcanist in Your Collection

Versatility: Vodalian Arcanist is a staple for blue-based decks that require spell casting support. Its ability to provide additional mana helps cast instants and sorceries, fitting seamlessly into control or combo decks and opening up opportunities for creative gameplay.

Combo Potential: Reducing the mana cost of your spells, Vodalian Arcanist acts as a linchpin in various spell-centric combos. It harmonizes with cards that benefit from casting multiple spells in a single turn or those that grow stronger with each spell cast, enhancing both offensive and defense strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In the fluctuating MTG metagame, having a card like Vodalian Arcanist can be crucial. It’s particularly impactful in formats where early board presence and spell-casting speed are keys to outmaneuvering opponents. The Arcanist syncs with the tempo of current competitive play, making it a smart addition for players aiming to stay ahead of the curve.

How to beat

Vodalian Arcanist serves as a mana accelerator for spells, a crucial element for enabling dominant sorcery and instant plays in the game. This Merfolk Wizard allows for a more efficient casting of powerful spells earlier in the game than typically possible. Its impact, while subtle, can make a significant difference in spell-heavy decks.

To successfully counteract Vodalian Arcanist’s benefits, the key lies in disruption and timely removal. Cards that can prevent the usage of activated abilities or ones that remove creatures at a low cost can effectively neutralize the advantage brought by the Arcanist. For example, instant spells like Fatal Push or Shock provide inexpensive solutions to remove the Arcanist before it can gain momentum for your opponent. Alternatively, if you tend to play with control strategies, countering key spells that your opponent attempts to accelerate can blunt the impact of Vodalian Arcanist.

Whether you opt for removal or disruption, thwarting the Arcanist’s game plan is crucial. Keep removal spells ready, and prioritize targeting Vodalian Arcanist in its early phases to prevent your adversary from gaining the upper hand with early potent spells.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vodalian Arcanist MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Core Set 2021, 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 Vodalian Arcanist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vodalian Arcanist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by Tyler Walpole.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2018-04-27	Dominaria	DOM		73	2015	Normal	Black	Tyler Walpole
2	2020-07-03	Core Set 2021	M21		83	2015	Normal	Black	Tyler Walpole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vodalian Arcanist has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal