Tome of the Guildpact MTG Card


Tome of the Guildpact - Ravnica Allegiance
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact
Released2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica Allegiance
Set codeRNA
Number242
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRandy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

  1. Gain card advantage with each multicolored spell cast, transforming your deck into a relentless torrent of resources.
  2. Smooth out mana curves and enhance your strategy execution with Tome’s versatile mana acceleration ability.
  3. Maximize the benefit from instant-speed multicolored spells by leveraging the Tome’s synergistic card draw.

Text of card

Whenever you cast a multicolored spell, draw a card. : Add one mana of any color.

"Reading it has given me a glimpse of what makes this deeply flawed city so very magnificent." —Dovin Baan


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Tome of the Guildpact, every multicolored spell you cast nets you an additional card, effectively turning your spells into mini Cantrips and ensuring that your hand stays replenished for the challenges ahead. This continuous source of card advantage can be especially powerful in decks that cast numerous spells each turn, outpacing opponents in resources.

Resource Acceleration: The artifact serves not only as a font of knowledge but also as a conduit for mana. Once on the battlefield, Tome of the Guildpact offers a mana of any color whenever you need it. It’s a versatile tool that can help you deploy your hand more efficiently, smoothing out mana curves and enabling a quicker execution of your strategy.

Instant Speed: Although the Tome itself is not an instant, it encourages and enables the use of such spells. With the Tome’s ability to draw cards at the resolution of multicolored spells, it interacts synergistically with instant-speed multicolored spells, offering you a surprising twist of card advantage when your opponents least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Tome of the Guildpact doesn’t come with a discard requirement, it’s worth considering how this card fits into your hand economy. If you were considering another card with this limitation, it would be a potential setback, especially when you’re in a pinch for card options.

Specific Mana Cost: Tome of the Guildpact requires a specific mana structure to cast – two generic and one of each color associated with a Ravnica guild. This makes it less flexible than colorless artifacts and potentially a hindrance in decks not running on a five-color or guild-specific strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five-mana investment to get Tome of the Guildpact on the field, its cost is steep when weighed against other cards with similar or better card advantage capabilities. Its activation cost of paying mana to draw a card can be cumbersome, especially in a game where tempo and efficiency are crucial.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tome of the Guildpact offers a consistent advantage in decks that cast multicolored spells. Its ability to draw a card while providing mana acceleration makes it a functional and adaptive addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines in synergistic builds, potentially unlocking the power of spell-slinging strategies. It can be a key piece in combos that capitalize on casting numerous spells in a single turn, facilitating both card draw and mana production.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values card advantage and efficient mana usage, Tome of the Guildpact stands out. It’s particularly effective in environments where multicolored spells are prominent, becoming an engine for both acceleration and resource replenishment.


How to beat

The Tome of the Guildpact presents an interesting challenge for Magic: The Gathering players. This artifact can be a continuous source of card advantage and mana fixing for your opponent if left unchecked. Successfully overcoming this card requires swift action and strategic planning. Directly tackling the Tome with artifact removal is an effective approach. Including versatile cards like Naturalize or Disenchant in your deck ensures that you remain primed to dismantle the Tome the moment it becomes a threat on the board.

Alternatively, cards that force an opponent to discard can disrupt their strategy before they have the chance to fully utilize the Tome’s abilities. Thoughtseize or Duress come to mind, enabling you to pre-emptively remove it from their hand. However, always be mindful of the setup cost associated with the Tome. If your opponent is investing five mana to draw a card, it might be an opportunity to build a more pressing board state rather than focusing solely on the Tome itself. Prioritizing your threats and applying pressure can often lead your opponent to stumble while trying to capitalize on their investment.

In sum, understanding when to directly address the Tome of the Guildpact and when to apply broader pressure plays a critical role in nullifying its potential impact on the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Tome of the Guildpact is a multifaceted MTG card that can propel your deck to new heights, offering unique benefits for those delving into multicolored strategies. Whether enhancing card flow or smoothing out mana needs, it’s an asset worth considering. However, wise players weigh its merits against the resource investment required. If your deck thrives on multicolored synergy, the Tome’s potential for card advantage is hard to ignore. Ready to optimize your deck and explore the power of Tome of the Guildpact? Dive deeper with us for strategic insights and tips to effectively integrate this card into your MTG collection.


Cards like Tome of the Guildpact

Tome of the Guildpact stands out as a unique artifact within Magic: The Gathering gameplay. Its ability to provide a mana of any color and draw a card every time you cast a multicolored spell puts it in a league of versatile mana sources and card advantage engines. When compared to similar artifacts, such as Chromatic Lantern, we notice a shared trait: both allow for mana flexibility. The Lantern, however, lacks the card draw component that is central to Tome of the Guildpact’s appeal.

Aligning closer to Tome’s abilities, Prophetic Prism provides mana filtering and draws a card upon entering the battlefield, but it doesn’t offer the recurring card draw advantage. Commander’s Sphere is another analogous card that aids in mana development and can be sacrificed for card draw, yet it operates as a one-time effect rather than providing sustained value.

Through this lens, it becomes evident that while there are artifacts that share some qualities with Tome of the Guildpact, the persistent draw potential coupled with making your multicolored spells more impactful solidifies its role in decks that favor multicolor payoff strategies.

Chromatic Lantern - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Commander's Sphere - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Lantern - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Prophetic Prism - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Commander's Sphere - Commander 2014 (C14)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tome of the Guildpact MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Tome of the Guildpact and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tome of the Guildpact has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-01-25 Tome of the Guildpact’s ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.

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