Xanathar, Guild Kingpin MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 391
2021-07-23 - Number 239p
2021-07-23 - Number 239
2021-07-23 - Number 239s
2021-07-23 - Number 239a
2002-06-24 - Number 92788
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Beholder |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, choose target opponent. Until end of turn, that player can't cast spells, you may look at the top card of their library any time, you may play the top card of their library, and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast spells this way.
Cards like Xanathar, Guild Kingpin
Xanathar, Guild Kingpin is a unique inclusion in Magic: The Gathering’s array of creature cards, reflecting the power and intrigue one would expect from a beholder controlling Waterdeep’s underworld. In terms of card functionality, another comparable card is Sen Triplets. Both cards grant you access to your opponent’s hand, with Sen Triplets allowing you to play an opponent’s card, while Xanathar, Guild Kingpin goes a step further by letting you dictate your adversary’s draws.
Looking at another peer in the realm of controlling opponent’s options, we can examine Geth, Lord of the Vault. Geth operates similarly by exploiting opponent’s resources but focuses on reanimating artifacts or creatures directly from an opponent’s graveyard. This contrasts with Xanathar’s ability to manipulate the top deck, revealing the fundamental difference in how they impact the game’s progression.
While each of these powerful cards has its own strategic benefits depending on the gameplay situation, Xanathar, Guild Kingpin stands out with its direct influence over the opponent’s future turns. This can be a decisive factor in controlling the game’s outcome which places Xanathar in a distinguished position within Magic: The Gathering’s constellation of powerful creature cards.
Cards similar to Xanathar, Guild Kingpin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Xanathar, Guild Kingpin offers a dramatic edge in card advantage by allowing you to peek at the top card of an opponent’s library and play it. Not only does this disrupt their strategy, but it enhances your own by potentially granting access to additional spells and resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Xanathar itself does not directly produce resources, its ability to utilize an opponent’s cards can accelerate your resource development. By playing lands or casting spells from the top of their library, you effectively save your own resources and accelerate your game plan.
Instant Speed: While Xanathar operates at sorcery speed, being in colors that have access to instant speed interaction means you can strategically manage your resources to protect this key piece from removal, or set up devastating plays in the vital moments before your turn begins, using your opponents’ cards against them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Xanathar, Guild Kingpin requires careful hand management. Its ability may force players to discard, potentially diminishing their tactical options or leading to a shortfall of cards at critical moments.
Specific Mana Cost: Xanathar’s casting cost includes both blue and black mana, necessitating a deck that can reliably provide both types. This specificity could limit deck-building options and potentially jeopardize the card’s playability in mana-scarce situations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a six mana value, this legendary creature can be quite a heavyweight in terms of resources. For this investment, players expect a significant return on board presence or game impact, and in some cases, there may be alternate cards with lower mana costs that could provide a similar level of influence on the game’s outcome sooner.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Xanathar, Guild Kingpin offers a wide array of strategic advantages in commander decks, particularly those that manipulate opponents’ actions. Its ability to play cards from the top of an opponent’s library introduces a fresh dynamic to the game.
Combo Potential: The beholder’s ability synergizes with cards that monitor or rearrange deck order, enhancing deck consistency. In the right build, it can serve as a linchpin for devastating combo chains.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy strategies, Xanathar’s capacity to control the board and negate opponents’ top-deck plans keeps it a prime choice for many players looking to keep pace with the current competitive environment.
How to beat
Xanathar, Guild Kingpin, emerges as a formidable foe on the battlefield with the ability to manipulate the top deck and control an opponent’s turn. To outplay this powerful MTG card, consider cards that specifically target and remove creatures, such as Murder or Path to Exile. These provide a direct solution to eliminate Xanathar from the field. However, speed is essential, as allowing Xanathar to influence your draws can quickly tilt the game in your opponent’s favor.
Another strategic approach revolves around countering Xanathar’s abilities. Cards such as Pithing Needle can suppress Xanathar’s activated abilities, hindering its control over the game. Additionally, instant-speed removal can be particularly effective if you aim to disrupt your opponent’s plans right before they intend to utilize Xanathar’s powers. It’s also worth including hexproof or shroud-giving cards in your deck to protect your most valuable assets from Xanathar’s reach, preserving your strategy while you work towards victory.
Ultimately, confronting Xanathar, Guild Kingpin requires a balance of prompt threat response and resilient deck tactics to prevent your opponent from seizing control of the game. A well-timed removal or disabling effect can swing the match back in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xanathar, Guild Kingpin 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 Xanathar, Guild Kingpin and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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Printings
The Xanathar, Guild Kingpin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 92788 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | ||
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 391 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 239p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 239 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 239s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 6 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 239a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xanathar, Guild Kingpin 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xanathar, Guild Kingpin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | During your turn, you can look at the top card of the chosen opponent's library whenever you want (with one restriction; see below), even if you don't have priority. This action doesn't use the stack. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand. |
| 2021-07-23 | If the top card of that library changes while you're casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, you can't look at the new top card until you finish doing so. This means that if you cast a spell from the top of that library, you can't look at the next card until you're done paying for that spell. |
| 2021-07-23 | The target opponent may still cast spells in response to Xanathar, Guild Kingpin's ability in your upkeep. If that player has somehow become an illegal target for the ability as it tries to resolve, the ability does nothing. They may cast spells and you cannot look at or play the top card of their library. |
| 2021-07-23 | Xanathar doesn't change when you can cast spells or play lands. You must still follow all normal timing rules and land play limits. |
| 2021-07-23 | You'll still pay all costs for spells cast this way, including additional costs. You may also pay alternative costs if any are available. |