Architects of Will MTG Card
2009-04-30 - Number 17
2010-06-18 - Number 77
2020-09-26 - Number ARB-17
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Cycling |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Architects of Will enables deck manipulation and can disrupt opponents’ draw strategies effectively.
- Its versatility is enhanced by cycling, fitting well in graveyard and control decks.
- Counterplay includes graveyard control and instant-speed removal to minimize impact.
Text of card
When Architects of Will comes into play, look at the top three cards of target player's library, then put them back in any order. Cycling {UB} ({UB}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)
This secret society of mages manipulates the beliefs and opinions of others.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Architects of Will provides a strategic edge by allowing you to look at the top three cards of your opponent’s library upon entering the battlefield, and arrange them in any order. This can significantly limit your opponent’s draw quality over their next turns. If cycled, it lets you draw a new card, subtly replenishing your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the cycling ability of Architects of Will can be utilized to sift through your deck to find the necessary mana or spells. This maintains the momentum and potentially contributes to hitting land drops consistently.
Instant Speed: The cycling ability of Architects of Will can be activated at instant speed. This flexibility lets you hold up mana for reactive plays and decide the best moment to cycle the card, be it for drawing into a response or simply seeking better options at the end of an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Architects of Will, the absence of a discard element might make it a less synergistic option for decks that thrive on cycling or discarding tactics, which could lead to lost opportunities for strategic plays.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both blue and black mana, which inherently restricts it to only those decks that can accommodate such mana requirements, potentially excluding it from a range of mono-colored or other two-color decks that don’t include these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Architects of Will isn’t the most mana-efficient option for its effects. When considering the card’s abilities, some players might find other cards to be more effective or versatile for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Architects of Will is a card that can be seamlessly integrated into various deck types due to its ability to provide both deck manipulation and a reasonable body on the field. It’s a natural fit in decks that aim to control the opponent’s draw or want to cycle unwanted cards.
Combo Potential: This card particularly shines in decks looking to capitalize on graveyard strategies or those that benefit from cycling. Its cycling ability can help trigger effects or set up potent graveyard synergies, making it a useful piece in combo-oriented decks.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where knowledge of the opponent’s next moves is crucial, Architects of Will can provide a significant advantage. By setting up the top cards of an opponent’s library, it can disrupt their plans and give you the upper hand, especially in formats where such strategic control is pivotal.
How to Beat
Architects of Will holds a unique position in MTG as a card that offers strategic foresight into upcoming turns. Its cycling ability allows players to manipulate their deck and access needed cards more efficiently. However, beating this card requires a nuanced approach. Having graveyard control tools at your disposal can be an effective strategy. Cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prevent the Architects of Will’s abilities from being leveraged from the graveyard, thus nullifying its benefits.
Moreover, maintaining a stance ready to counteract cycling can ensure that the Architects of Will’s presence on the board doesn’t dictate your defeat. Counterspells or hand disruption tactics are key in managing this. Instant-speed removal is also crucial to handle it once it hits the battlefield without allowing your opponent to profit from its field presence. Through these methods, the potency of Architects of Will can be minimized, ensuring its impact on the game is as fleeting as the visions it provides.
Players who anticipate and prepare for its arrival can navigate around or through the visions shaped by the Architects of Will, ensuring their game plan remains undisturbed.
Cards like Architects of Will
Architects of Will is a unique player in the Magic: The Gathering arena, falling within the realm of cards that manipulate both deck and graveyard strategies. It’s often compared to Aven Mindcensor, which limits opponents’ library searches, rendering Architects more subtle in its approach. Both cards exert control but in differing manners. Architects of Will enables not only a peek into an opponent’s deck but also the critical ability to rearrange it, setting the pace for future plays.
Another counterpart worth noting is Shadowmage Infiltrator. It offers card advantage through its ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage. While not directly affecting the library like Architects of Will, it similarly disrupts the flow of an opponent’s game plan through card advantage. Conversely, Architects operates as a one-time library rearrangement with the additional boon of cycling, providing a versatile tool for game progression.
Ultimately, Architects of Will stands out amongst its peers with a powerful combination of control and cycling ability, ensuring its place as a multifaceted card in any MTG player’s arsenal. Its unique capabilities in setting up not just your next draw but potentially sabotaging your opponent’s game make it a card of high strategic value.
Cards similar to Architects of Will by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Architects of Will MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Archenemy, 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 Architects of Will and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See Magic products
Printings
The Architects of Will Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2010-06-18. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-04-30 | Alara Reborn | ARB | 17 | 2003 | normal | black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2010-06-18 | Archenemy | ARC | 77 | 2003 | normal | black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | ARB-17 | 2003 | normal | black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Architects of Will has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Architects of Will card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not. |
