Fountain of Ichor MTG Card


Fountain of Ichor - Modern Horizons
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact
Released2019-06-14
Set symbol
Set nameModern Horizons
Set codeMH1
Number223
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byGrzegorz Rutkowski

Key Takeaways

  1. Fountain of Ichor enhances mana consistency, indirectly aiding card plays and hand fluidity.
  2. It boosts game presence by enabling early deployment of high-cost game-changers.
  3. When transformed, it becomes a formidable creature, adding a layer of adaptability.

Text of card

: Add one mana of any color. : Fountain of Ichor becomes a 3/3 Dinosaur artifact creature until end of turn.

Sun Empire priests thought they were digging a well. What they tapped was something different entirely.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Fountain of Ichor itself does not directly contribute to card advantage, its ability to transform into any color mana can indirectly lead to card advantages by smoothing out mana requirements and allowing for a more consistent casting of cards that might otherwise be stranded in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: As an artifact that can be tapped for one mana of any color, Fountain of Ichor serves as an efficient resource accelerator. It plays a pivotal role in ramping up your mana availability, facilitating earlier plays of high-cost cards that can turn the tide of the game.

Instant Speed: Although Fountain of Ichor operates at sorcery speed, its mana flexibility can assist in holding up mana for instant-speed interactions. By providing an additional mana source of any color, it ensures that you have the necessary resources to respond to your opponent’s moves without missing a step in your own mana curve.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One hindrance about the Fountain of Ichor card is that it lacks any discard synergies, which could be problematic for those strategies that benefit from discarding as a cost or a trigger for other effects. This card misses out on potentially amplifying those deck dynamics.

Specific Mana Cost: Although the Fountain of Ichor card adds versatility by providing one mana of any color, the initial investment of three generic mana makes it somewhat restrictive. This could be cumbersome for decks that need an efficient mana curve or seek to play multiple spells within the early turns of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When examining the cost efficiency of mana artifacts, the Fountain of Ichor may not always come out on top. With a three-mana entry fee, there are other artifact options available that either cost less or provide additional benefits besides mana generation, which might be more appealing depending on the deck construction or game situation.


Reasons to Include Fountain of Ichor in Your Collection

Versatility: This artifact excels in its adaptability across various deck builds. Its ability to become a creature with a simple mana activation allows players to switch between an aggressive or defensive stance based on the situation at hand.

Combo Potential: Fountain of Ichor’s transformative nature lends itself to interesting combinations. It integrates well with strategies that exploit creature type changes or can synergize with effects that trigger when a noncreature permanent becomes a creature.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low casting cost and flexible utility, Fountain of Ichor maintains relevance in the current game environment. It serves as a cost-effective solution for mana curve optimization and can carry equipment or enchantments as a creature to surprise opponents.


How to beat

The Fountain of Ichor presents a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield. This artifact card, which can be turned into a 3/3 Dinosaur creature with its own ability, is versatile and can be a thorn in your strategy. To effectively counteract this card, one must look towards reliable artifact removal spells or abilities that are commonplace in Magic: The Gathering. Cards such as Naturalize allow you to destroy target artifacts, negating the threat of the Fountain of Ichor entirely once it’s turned into a creature.

Similarly, implementing consistent control elements in your deck, like Counterspell, can prevent your opponent from ever getting the Fountain of Ichor onto the field. If the Fountain has already been activated into a creature, board wipe spells or effects also serve as a clean solution, with Wrath of God or Damnation being perfect examples. The task at hand requires foresight and a deck equipped to handle a variety of threats. Staying one step ahead and maintaining the ability to disrupt your opponent’s plays makes overcoming the Fountain of Ichor a manageable feat within the diverse and strategic game of Magic: The Gathering.


Cards like Fountain of Ichor

Fountain of Ichor adds a layer of flexibility in the realm of mana-generating artifacts in MTG. When compared to Prophetic Prism, which also provides mana fixing, Fountain of Ichor stands out with its ability to transform into a creature. Prophetic Prism, while offering a one-time card draw upon entry, does not have the potential to become a threat on the board.

Consider then, the Guardian Idol, an artifact that can become a creature as well. Both cards share the capacity to turn into creatures, although Guardian Idol’s transformation doesn’t cost any mana. In terms of activation speed, Fountain of Ichor allows for immediate conversion on the same turn it is played by paying three mana, giving it an edge in surprise factor. Lastly, Prismatic Lens offers a similar mana filtering ability, albeit without the creature conversion feature, making it a simple, yet less dynamic choice.

Overall, Fountain of Ichor’s distinctive combination of mana accessibility and its unique ability to morph into a creature provides an intriguing option for players looking for versatile cards in their MTG strategies.

Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Guardian Idol - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Lens - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Guardian Idol - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Prismatic Lens - Time Spiral (TSP)

Cards similar to Fountain of Ichor by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Loxodon Warhammer - Tenth Edition (10E)
Sword of Feast and Famine - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Training Drone - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Pristine Talisman - New Phyrexia Promos (PNPH)
Alloy Myr - Jumpstart (JMP)
Guardians of Meletis - Magic Origins (ORI)
Vedalken Shackles - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Herald's Horn - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Manalith - Hour of Devastation (HOU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fountain of Ichor MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 Fountain of Ichor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fountain of Ichor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-06-14 If you turn Fountain of Ichor into a creature but haven’t controlled it continuously since your most recent turn began, you won’t be able to activate its mana ability or attack with it.

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