Xanthic Statue MTG Card

The Statue offers flexibility and can be activated at the most opportune moment without additional cards. Its activation cost is a one-time investment, allowing resource redirection to other areas of play. Despite its strength, the card’s high mana cost and demanding colorless mana commitment can be limiting.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	8
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	1997-06-09
Set symbol
Set name	Weatherlight
Set code	WTH
Number	163
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Hannibal King

Text of card

o5: Until end of turn, Xanthic Statue is an 8/8 artifact creature with trample.

"Until you have lived as a statue, do not talk to me of pigeons." —Karn, silver golem

Cards like Xanthic Statue

Xanthic Statue stands out in the catalog of artifact creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It draws immediate comparisons to Darksteel Colossus, a behemoth in its own right. While both share an affinity for their indestructible nature, Xanthic Statue differs with its initial presentation as a noncreature artifact, which avoids many of the game’s common removal spells until it becomes a creature with its activation ability.

Then we have Golem Artisan, which offers a flexible toolkit for modifying artifact creatures but requires a steady flow of mana to do so. Unlike Golem Artisan, Xanthic Statue can become a powerhouse on its own with a single mana investment but lacks the adaptability of the former. Phyrexian Colossus also echoes the theme of large artifact creatures that can dominate the battlefield, albeit with a steeper price of paying life instead of mana for its untapping cost.

Assessing the pros and cons, Xanthic Statue warrants recognition for its capacity to dodge instant removal and become a formidable creature at the user’s discretion. It carves a niche for itself amid artifact giants, offering a unique strategic choice for players crafting their decks.

Cards similar to Xanthic Statue by color, type and mana cost

Graaz, Unstoppable Juggernaut - MTG Card versions

Everythingamajig (f) - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Xanthic Statue provides a strategic upper hand by potentially transforming into a formidable creature without requiring an additional card from your hand. This enables you to keep pace with opponents while utilizing the same card for multiple purposes.

Resource Acceleration: Initially, its casting cost may seem hefty, but this artifact can be an effective tool in decks that excel in ramping up mana. Once on the battlefield, it doesn’t require further investment to become a threat, allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Although the Xanthic Statue itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its activation can be used at the end of your opponent’s turn. This means you can keep mana available for other instant-speed interactions, ensuring your Statue becomes a blocker or attacker only when most advantageous.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of the Xanthic Statue, players may find themselves at a disadvantage due to other cards’ demands for discard as a prerequisite for launching more potent spells or effects. This discard requirement could diminish your hand, leaving you vulnerable in the long game.

Specific Mana Cost: Xanthic Statue comes with a restrictive mana cost, demanding a significant amount of colorless mana. This can make it less accessible for multicolored decks looking for versatility in their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing nine mana into a single artifact may not always align with players’ strategies, especially when other cards could provide better board presence or utility for a lower investment. This poses a challenge when managing resources, particularly in fast-paced games.

Reasons to Include Xanthic Statue in Your Collection

Versatility: Xanthic Statue is a unique card that can adapt to different gaming styles and strategic plans. Given its capacity to become a creature, it integrates well with strategies relying on artifact and creature synergies alike.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as an excellent piece in combo-oriented decks. When paired with cards that untap artifacts, it can be used repeatedly, creating a formidable presence on the battlefield turn after turn.

Meta-Relevance: The presence of Xanthic Statue in a collection is particularly impactful in a meta that favors artifacts or decks that have difficulty dealing with large blockers or attackers. Its flexibility to switch roles from a robust defender to a powerful attacker makes it a card worth considering in diverse competitive environments.

How to beat

Confronting a Xanthic Statue in your MTG match can be a unique challenge due to its indestructible nature when it’s not your turn. Nonetheless, this powerful artifact creature isn’t without its vulnerabilities. Dealing with the Statue demands a strategic approach, focusing on disrupting the timings typically advantageously used by your opponent.

Timing your removal spells during your turn is critical when Xanthic Statue is on the battlefield. Consider employing sorcery-speed removal like Vindicate or generous board wipes such as Wrath of God to bypass the indestructible attribute. Another effective tactic includes cards that force sacrifice, like Diabolic Edict, which neatly sidesteps the need to deal damage or destroy outright.

In essence, to successfully outmaneuver the Xanthic Statue’s defenses, adaptability and precise timing are key. By capitalizing on your turn to employ the right spells, the Statue’s seemingly stalwart presence can be efficiently dismantled, paving the way to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Xanthic Statue MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Xanthic Statue and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Xanthic Statue has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xanthic Statue card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2008-08-01	A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature.