Xun Yu, Wei Advisor MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 93
2016-11-16 - Number 65799
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Advisor |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
On your turn, before you attack, you may tap Xun Yu to give one of your creatures +2/+0 until the end of the turn.
"A splendid talent, admired of all men! His folly lay in serving Cao Cao's power."
Cards like Xun Yu, Wei Advisor
Xun Yu, Wei Advisor, has carved a niche for itself among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. This legendary creature offers a unique advantage by allowing you to gain an insight into your opponent’s strategy by looking at their hand. This can be likened to the tactical prowess of cards like Kitesail Freebooter, which also permits a peek at an opponent’s hand while temporarily exiling a nonland card from it.
Similarly, Vendilion Clique presents a parallel tactical approach. This faerie creature allows you to view an opponent’s hand and even shuffle away one of their cards. However, unlike Xun Yu, Wei Advisor, Vendilion Clique can target and disrupt your opponent by replacing a card in their hand. Then, there’s Gonti, Lord of Luxury who explores a different aspect of opponent hand interaction. Gonti lets you exile the top four cards of an opponent’s library and play one of those, which could offer unexpectedly beneficial outcomes. However, Xun Yu stands out with the ability to affect all opponents’ hands, which is significant in multi-player formats.
Through evaluating similarities and unique features, Xun Yu, Wei Advisor demonstrates its strategic versatility and multi-player impact, positioning itself as a meaningful choice for players seeking hand information advantage in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Xun Yu, Wei Advisor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Xun Yu, Wei Advisor’s effect is a boon for decks that prioritize maintaining a full hand. By providing the ability to dig deeper into your deck, it supports strategies that revolve around having numerous options at your disposal or efficiently pulling specific answers or threats when they’re most needed.
Resource Acceleration: This card doubles as a resource accelerator, granting you indirect access to additional mana by buffing your creatures. These temporary power increases can turn the tide of combat, making them more potent on the battlefield and potentially leading to more decisive victories.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Xun Yu, Wei Advisor at instant speed gives you the upper hand by enabling reactive gameplay. You can adapt to the unfolding game, utilizing this card’s abilities at the most strategic moment, ensuring that your resources are optimally spent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Players considering Xun Yu, Wei Advisor need to be aware that activating its powerful abilities comes at a cost. Specifically, you’ll have to toss another card from your hand into the graveyard each time you want to harness its potential. This discard requirement can backfire, particularly when your hand is flush with essential spells or creatures, squeezing your resources and potentially restricting your overall strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck building is an intricate process and fitting in a card with a specific mana cost can sometimes complicate the matter. Xun Yu, Wei Advisor demands a precise arrangement—a combination of one black and two generic mana. This prerequisite forces players to think about their mana base meticulously, and for those running multiple colors, it might be challenging to summon Xun Yu, Wei Advisor on curve every game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Analyzing the mana outlay versus impact of cards is vital to optimizing a deck. With a mana cost that might be considered steep in relation to the card’s immediate impact, Xun Yu, Wei Advisor sometimes falls behind other cards in the same slot. Savvy players weigh their options, looking for maximum output for each point of mana, and may find Xun Yu less appealing when other cards grant similar or better effects for a lower or more flexible cost.
Reasons to Include Xun Yu, Wei Advisor in Your Collection
Versatility: Xun Yu, Wei Advisor offers a flexible role in decks that leverage historic or legendary synergies. The card serves double duty by providing both card selection and potential card advantage, making it a wise inclusion for a strategist keen on keeping options open.
Combo Potential: This card can be an integral piece in a combo-centric build, enabling you to sift through your deck to find crucial components more efficiently. Whether you’re setting up for a game-winning combination or simply looking for more consistency in your plays, Xun Yu, Wei Advisor has the potential to slot in seamlessly.
Meta-Relevance: Xun Yu, Wei Advisor’s strength shines in environments where games hinge on nuanced plays and incremental advantages. Its ability to subtly tip the scales can make a significant impact, particularly in a meta that favors thought-out approaches and well-timed card advantages.
How to beat
Xun Yu, Wei Advisor makes a dynamic impact on MTG games with his unique ability to offer card advantage while manipulating opponents’ strategies. Originating from the Portal Three Kingdoms set, this legendary creature resonates with players who appreciate strategic depth and historical flavor. His presence on the board can significantly tilt the complex scales of control matchups.
Overcoming the card advantage provided by Xun Yu, Wei Advisor requires a mixture of strategic elimination and proactive threat deployment. Efficient removal spells that can bypass his eminent trigger are quintessential. Board wipes such as Wrath of God allow players to reset the board state, mitigating the incremental gains Xun Yu offers. Additionally, outpacing the card advantage through aggressive creature-based strategies or applying constant pressure can prevent an opponent’s profitable use of his abilities, maintaining the momentum in your favor.
In essence, while Xun Yu, Wei Advisor shines in scenarios of prolonged control battles, a swift, decisive approach or a well-timed sweep of the board can neutralize his influence. Navigating around his strengths is crucial for maintaining control and emerging victorious in MTG. The key is to adapt and deploy your resources with precision.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xun Yu, Wei Advisor MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Treasure Chest, 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 Xun Yu, Wei Advisor 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 Xun Yu, Wei Advisor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2016-11-16. Illustrated by Jack Wei.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 93 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jack Wei | |
| 2 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 65799 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jack Wei |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xun Yu, Wei Advisor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Predh | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xun Yu, Wei Advisor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-20 | If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn. |