Talisman of Hierarchy MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers mana flexibility, critical for executing strategies and impacting the flow of the game positively.
  2. Best suited for Orzhov decks, its ability to grant colored mana accelerates play and fuels combos.
  3. Life cost for mana can be a tactical drawback in close games, influencing deckbuilding decisions.

Text of card

: Add . : Add or . Talisman of Hierarchy deals 1 damage to you.

"You'll never get to the top if you don't know who's already there." —Kaya


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Talisman of Hierarchy doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, it ensures that you have access to the mana necessary to deploy the cards in your hand more efficiently. This indirect benefit can lead to maintaining a more consistent flow of action throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana artifact, Talisman of Hierarchy excels in providing resource acceleration. Offering immediate access to black or white mana, it can be crucial for casting key spells a turn earlier than usual, potentially swinging the game in your favor.

Instant Speed: Although Talisman of Hierarchy is not an instant itself, it enables the flexible use of mana. This means that you can keep your mana untapped to represent instant speed interaction and only tap the Talisman when you’ve deemed it the right moment, without losing efficiency.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Talisman of Hierarchy does not require a discard itself, using it for colored mana demands a life payment, which could be viewed as discarding vital lifepoints, especially in close matches where every point matters.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact is specifically designed for decks that operate with both white and black mana. This restricts the talisman’s utility to only those decks that can utilize these colors, potentially sidelining it in mono-color or other multicolor strategy decks that do not include white and black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the talisman itself is not costly, it’s important to consider the investment in the early game. Players might opt for other two-mana artifacts that provide mana without the additional life cost, or seek more impactful plays at similar mana costs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Talisman of Hierarchy is a staple artifact for decks that operate within the Orzhov color pie. Its ability to generate either white or black mana makes it highly adaptable to various mana requirements, fitting seamlessly into many deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: This talisman can fuel combos by providing immediate access to additional mana, helping to cast key spells or activate important abilities a turn earlier. Its inclusion is warranted in builds that are aiming for a swift cultivation of resources.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where mana efficiency is crucial, Talisman of Hierarchy maintains relevance. It’s particularly effective in current formats where a quick resource fix can mean the difference between victory and defeat, ensuring that it is a valuable addition to competitive decks in the MTG landscape.


How to beat

The Talisman of Hierarchy is a versatile mana artifact that fits smoothly into many Commander and Modern decks. Its ability to provide either white or black mana with the minor setback of 1 life seems negligible, but this can be exploited. To effectively counter the Talisman of Hierarchy, the key lies in leveraging its life cost to your advantage.

Consider employing strategies that amplify the damage it deals to its owner’s life total, such as deploying cards that double the life paid for cost, as with the effect of cards like Sulfuric Vortex. Attacking a player’s life total can become increasingly impactful as it turns the Talisman’s downside into a compounding problem. Additionally, using artifact removal cards can be a straightforward means of dismantling a Talisman-based mana strategy. In a broader sense, applying pressure to keep the life total low will make each activation of the Talisman a more daunting prospect for your opponent, facilitating a path to victory.

Remember, staying aware of the Talisman’s presence and employing these techniques at the opportune moment can shift the balance in your favor, transforming the Talisman of Hierarchy from a resource to a liability for your adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Talisman of Hierarchy is more than just another mana artifact in MTG – it’s a pivotal cog in the finely tuned machine of Orzhov decks. Mastering its use grants a significant edge, allowing strategic maneuvers and fueling impactful plays with precision-timed mana access. Wise utilization of this tool can catapult your gameplay, providing you with a mana advantage that many overlook. Keep leveraging its strengths to enhance your grasp on the game’s intricate dynamics. Ready to delve deeper into the nuances and strategies that revolve around Talisman of Hierarchy? Visit us for detailed insights and to sharpen your competitive edge.


Cards like Talisman of Hierarchy

The Talisman of Hierarchy is a mana-producing artifact that commands attention in Magic: The Gathering, especially among those looking to bolster their black and white decks. It mirrors the functionality of Orzhov Signet, which also provides black and white mana. The Talisman, however, distinguishes itself by giving players mana immediately, albeit at the cost of 1 life, creating more dynamic in-game decisions.

Comparable artifacts include the Charmed Pendant and Prophetic Prism. Both allow mana filtering but with distinct drawbacks and benefits. The Charmed Pendant delves through the deck, which could be advantageous for graveyard strategies but is unpredictable and costs more to activate. On the other hand, Prophetic Prism’s draws a card upon entering the battlefield, offering immediate card advantage, yet it lacks the repeatability of mana provision without an additional cost.

Assessing the trade-offs is crucial when selecting the right addition to your deck. Talisman of Hierarchy offers a consistent mana flow at a minimal life expenditure, making it a solid choice for players valuing a reliable mana base with a slight, manageable downside.

Orzhov Signet - MTG Card versions
Charmed Pendant - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Orzhov Signet - MTG Card versions
Charmed Pendant - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Talisman of Hierarchy by color, type and mana cost

Orzhov Signet - MTG Card versions
Tidehollow Sculler - MTG Card versions
Darklit Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Invasion of New Capenna // Holy Frazzle-Cannon - MTG Card versions
Orzhov Signet - MTG Card versions
Tidehollow Sculler - MTG Card versions
Darklit Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Invasion of New Capenna // Holy Frazzle-Cannon - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Talisman of Hierarchy MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and 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 Talisman of Hierarchy and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Talisman of Hierarchy Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 913891997NormalBlackLindsey Look
22019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 2332015NormalBlackLindsey Look
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10571997NormalBlackDan Frazier
42021-06-18Modern Horizons 1 TimeshiftsH1R 361997NormalBlackLindsey Look
52022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 8782015NormalBlackLindsey Look
62022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2562015NormalBlackPhilip Helliwell
72022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 256★2015NormalBlackPhilip Helliwell
82023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3852015NormalBlackLindsey Look
92023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 3152015NormalBlackLindsey Look
102024-03-08FalloutPIP 7752015NormalBlackBrian Valeza
112024-03-08FalloutPIP 2472015NormalBlackBrian Valeza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Talisman of Hierarchy has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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