Xander's Pact MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 43
2022-04-29 - Number 144
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Casualty |
Text of card
Casualty 2 (As you cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power 2 or greater. When you do, copy this spell.) Each opponent exiles the top card of their library. You may cast spells from among those cards this turn. If you cast a spell this way, pay life equal to that spell's mana value rather than pay its mana cost.
Cards like Xander's Pact
Xander’s Pact punctuates Magic the Gathering’s repertoire of agreement-themed cards with a twist capturing the spirit of high-stakes strategy. The conspicuous parallel here is Demonic Pact—a game-changer with a looming consequence that, if not managed, could result in a loss. While both cards transform future game states, Xander’s Pact provides a means to mitigate risks without the downside of a potential game loss.
Peer into the Abyss is another intriguing comparison. It notably halves a player’s life total while drawing a substantial number of cards, embodying a grand scale of risk and reward, akin to Xander’s Pact. However, Peer into the Abyss doesn’t require opponent collaboration, placing it in a solitary game-altering category. The play dynamics offered by Xander’s Pact, conversely, inject a layer of social maneuvering and cooperation that can pivot the game’s tide.
Assessing Xander’s Pact amidst these similar choices it becomes evident that for players seeking a mix of calculated risk, potential reward, and player interaction, this card carves a distinctive niche in deck-building strategies, providing advantages that echo through the craft of play.
Cards similar to Xander's Pact by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Xander’s Pact provides the opportunity to filter through your deck rapidly. When you cast this spell, you get to cherry-pick the best out of the five top cards from your library, giving you a significant upper hand in strategic planning and maintaining control over the flow of the game.
Resource Acceleration: The secondary benefit of Xander’s Pact is the generation of two Blood tokens. These tokens serve as a versatile resource, not only aiding in smoothing out your mana curve but also giving you additional options for manipulating your hand to ensure you have the right answers or threats when you need them.
Instant Speed: The instant nature of Xander’s Pact allows for flexibility and adaptability. You can optimally time your actions, waiting for the most opportune moment to cast it. Whether it’s at the end of your opponent’s turn, or in response to an action, this card’s instant speed is instrumental in keeping up the pace and staying one step ahead in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Xander’s Pact demands that players discard two cards upon resolution, which can significantly deplete your hand, especially if you’re unable to recoup those losses promptly. This card’s utility diminishes rapidly in situations where your card advantage is already compromised.
Specific Mana Cost: This pact requires a precise combination of mana colors to cast, namely one red, one blue, and two other, which can be a hurdle in decks that aren’t finely tuned to produce these colors reliably. Decks with a broader color palette may struggle to find the right mana when it’s most needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana, including one red and one blue, this card poses a hefty investment early on in the game. Although the card offers a unique and potentially game-changing ability, the initial mana investment may not always line up with the strategic curve of your deck, making it a less than optimal choice in many scenarios where lower-cost alternatives could suffice.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Xander’s Pact offers a broad range of strategic opportunities due to its ability to force both players to draw cards. This can be particularly beneficial in decks designed to exploit card draw mechanics or to disrupt opponents who are aiming for a low-card strategy.
Combo Potential: This card has the potential to form powerful combos in decks that thrive on high card turnover. Whether it’s pairing with cards that penalize opponents for drawing or with effects that trigger upon drawing, Xander’s Pact can be a linchpin in an effective combo chain.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the rapid pace of today’s gameplay, Xander’s Pact can be quite effective in current meta environments. Its relevance grows in games where maintaining card advantage can make or break a match, making it a valuable addition against an array of popular deck types.
How to Beat Xander’s Pact
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Xander’s Pact presents a unique challenge to overcome. As a potent enchantment, it embodies the devil’s bargain, offering the player the powerful ability to look at the top seven cards of their library, putting one into hand each turn at the potential cost of their soul. Despite its allure, savvy players know that defeating this card is all about timing and strategic play.
One effective method to confront Xander’s Pact is through enchantment removal spells, such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which can swiftly eliminate it from the battlefield. Another strategy is to apply pressure quickly, forcing the opponent to make difficult decisions before the pact’s benefits can outweigh its risks. Countering it upon cast with spells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can also prevent it from ever taking effect. Additionally, imposing hand size limits with cards like Narset, Parter of Veils dampens the pact’s advantage by restricting the additional card draw.
Ultimately, standing against Xander’s Pact requires foresight and a deck built with answers to high-impact enchantments. By preparing for what Xander’s Pact can unleash, you maintain control and turn the tables on this devilish agreement.
BurnMana Recommendations
Diving into the depths of MTG strategy can be as thrilling as it is rewarding, especially with intriguing options like Xander’s Pact at your fingertips. This card is a gem for players who relish the thrill of filtering their deck for the perfect play and enjoy the dance of risk and reward. Whether you are a seasoned player looking to shake up the meta or a newcomer eager to explore the strategic possibilities, Xander’s Pact is an exciting addition to consider for your collection. Curious about how to best utilize this card or build a deck that makes the most of its potential? Embark on the journey with us to unlock your deck’s full power and outpace the competition. Ready for an in-depth look at innovative MTG strategies? Let’s delve in together.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xander's Pact MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna Commander, 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 Xander's Pact and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Xander's Pact Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Helge C. Balzer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 43 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Helge C. Balzer | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 144 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Helge C. Balzer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xander's Pact has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xander's Pact card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | Casualty N means “As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power N or greater.” and “When you cast this spell, if a casualty cost was paid for it, copy it. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for the copy.” |
| 2022-04-29 | If a spell has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2022-04-29 | If you cast a spell for another cost “rather than pay its mana cost,” you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs such as a blitz cost. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as a casualty cost. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast it. |
| 2022-04-29 | If you pay the casualty cost of a spell, the copy will resolve before the original spell. |
| 2022-04-29 | The copy of the spell is created on the stack, so it's not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won't trigger. |
| 2022-04-29 | You may sacrifice only one creature to pay a spell's casualty cost, and you copy the spell only once. |