Anchor to the Aether MTG Card

Anchor to the Aether - Magic Origins (ORI)

Magic Origins (ORI)
2015-07-17 - Number 44

Anchor to the Aether - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 270

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Scry

Key Takeaways

Anchor to the Aether negates threats and gains tempo by returning creatures to the opponent’s deck.
Its necessity for blue mana and three-mana cost can limit its inclusion in various decks.
Instant speed and synergy with topdeck manipulation highlight its strategic value in MTG.

Text of card

Put target creature on top of its owner's library. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Anchor to the Aether provides a solid mechanic to temporarily remove a creature from the battlefield, potentially disrupting your opponent’s board and strategies. This allows you to pull ahead by dealing with threats while preparing your defenses or counterattacks.

Resource Acceleration: While this card does not directly ramp or produce additional mana, it effectively accelerates your game plan by setting back your opponent’s resources. By returning a creature to the top of their library, you force them to redraw the same card, thereby gaining tempo and a form of virtual card advantage.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Anchor to the Aether offers the flexibility to be played during your opponent’s turn, keeping your options open and making it harder for them to predict your moves. This surprise factor can be pivotal in maintaining pressure or in responding to imminent threats during the course of a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Anchor to the Aether does not directly ask for a card to be discarded, it shifts a creature back into your opponent’s hand, potentially giving them card advantage and the opportunity to replay the creature for its enter-the-battlefield effects.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and generic mana, Anchor to the Aether necessitates a dedicated source of blue mana. This cost dictates deck compatibility and can restrict its use in multicolored decks not heavily focused on blue sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana to return a single creature to its owner’s library third from the top, it carries a higher mana investment compared to other bounce spells. In fast-paced games, the mana spent on Anchor to the Aether could be more strategically allocated to spells that have an immediate impact on the board state.

Reasons to Include Anchor to the Aether in Your Collection

Versatility: Anchor to the Aether serves as a useful tool in decks that aim to control the tempo of the game. Its ability to send an opponent’s creature to the top of their library can disrupt their draw and delay potential threats effectively.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on knowledge of the opponent’s topdeck. Pairing it with cards that allow you to look at or manipulate the top card of an opponent’s library can enhance your strategic advantage significantly.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fast pace of several competitive formats, being able to set back your opponent’s board development can be crucial. This card’s place in a collection is solidified if the current meta includes decks that heavily rely on creature-based strategies.

How to beat

Anchor to the Aether presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, offering a strategic play by forcing a creature back to its owner’s deck. To overcome this disruptive tactic, players can employ several methods. For instance, deploying low-cost creatures minimizes the impact of the tempo loss caused by the card. It’s also beneficial to have instant-speed spells or abilities that can be activated in response to Anchor to the Aether, preserving your board’s presence.

Another effective strategy involves using cards that can’t be targeted by spells like Anchor to the Aether, often referred to as hexproof or shroud abilities. Additionally, playing around with counterspells ensures that Anchor to the Aether never resolves in the first place. Furthermore, card draw and deck manipulation spells help recover quickly if a valuable creature is temporarily sidelined.

Players should also consider the value of creature redundancy. By having multiple creatures that offer similar benefits, the loss of one to Anchor to the Aether is less detrimental. The key to beating Anchor to the Aether lies in smart deck construction, anticipating disruption, and maintaining flexibility in your playstyle to adapt to the ebb and flow of the game.

Cards like Anchor to the Aether

Anchor to the Aether is an intriguing spell in the realm of non-permanent manipulation within Magic: The Gathering. It’s not alone in its ability to return creatures to their owner’s hand; cards like Unsummon have been known for their straightforward and cost-efficient creature bounce. While Unsummon is limited to creatures and requires less mana, Anchor to the Aether has the added advantage of scrying 1, offering both removal and deck manipulation.

Comparatively, Void Snare also deserves a mention. It serves the temporary removal purpose but can target any nonland permanent, not just creatures. However, it lacks the scry benefit and is at sorcery speed, unlike the instant flexibility of Anchor to the Aether. Another relative is Griptide, which takes the concept further by putting a creature on top of its owner’s library. This delays the creature’s return but comes at the cost of an additional mana compared to Anchor to the Aether.

In essence, while there are many tools for controlling the battle in Magic: The Gathering, Anchor to the Aether offers a blend of immediate board impact and strategic planning with its dual functionality—a testament to its unique standing among similar spells.

Cards similar to Anchor to the Aether by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anchor to the Aether MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Anchor to the Aether and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Anchor to the Aether Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.