Wand of Ith MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	1994-08-01
Set symbol
Set name	The Dark
Set code	DRK
Number	114
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Quinton Hoover

Key Takeaways

Wand of Ith enables players to gain temporary advantage by making opponents redraw pivotal cards.
Activating at instant speed, it allows for strategic plays right at the opponent’s draw step.
While powerful, the Wand’s cost and specific mana requirements may limit its deck compatibility.

Text of card

o3, oc T: Look at one card at random from target player's hand. If the card is not a land, target player must choose either to discard it or pay an amount of life equal to its casting cost. If the card is a land, target player must choose either to discard it or pay 1 life. Effects that prevent or redirect damage may not be used to counter this loss of life. Can only be used during controller's turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When activated, Wand of Ith taps to disrupt an opponent’s strategy by forcing them to redraw a card they’ve already played, effectively granting a temporary card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or tokens, by selectively removing key cards from the opponent’s hand, the Wand of Ith can allow a player to get ahead by slowing down the opposition’s resources.

Instant Speed: The beauty of this artifact lies in its ability to be used at instant speed. This means you can wait until your opponent’s draw step to use the Wand of Ith, potentially setting their plans back right as they start their turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mandating the discarding of a card to utilize its abilities, Wand of Ith can put players at a disadvantage by dwindling their hand, particularly when facing strategies that capitalize on card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Wand of Ith requires a specific blend of colorless and blue mana, which hinders its flexibility and may not seamlessly fit into decks that do not support blue mana readily.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to activate Wand of Ith’s ability is non-trivial, demanding a total of four mana – three of which are generic and one blue. In an environment where tempo and efficiency are crucial, this can position Wand of Ith as less attractive compared to other options that offer similar levels of disruption for a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Wand of Ith in Your Collection

Versatility: Wand of Ith offers a flexible control option for decks focused on disabling opponents’ strategies. Its capability to disrupt the hand while being an artifact makes it suitable for a myriad of deck constructions.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines in combinations with cards that convert hand disruptions into advantages or that capitalize on activated abilities. It can become a cornerstone in finely tuned decks aiming for powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where hand disruption can give players a significant upper hand, Wand of Ith asserts its value. Particularly against control or combo decks, removing key pieces from your opponents’ grip can be a game-changing move.

How to beat

The Wand of Ith holds a unique position as a control piece in a player’s MTG arsenal, offering the ability to disrupt an opponent’s strategies by targeting and potentially decking rare or critical cards. Unlike countermagic or traditional removal, the Wand needs a different approach to overcome its effects.

The key lies in the swiftness of your plays and the redundancy of your deck’s key components. By diversifying threats and having multiple win conditions, the impact of any single card being exiled becomes less detrimental. Swiftfoot Boots or Lightning Greaves can provide the necessary hexproof shield to guard your important creatures from being targeted by the Wand’s ability. Artifact removal spells like Nature’s Claim or targeted hate like Stony Silence can effectively neutralize the Wand or prevent it from being activated in the first place. Managing your resources wisely to keep up the pressure can help ensure that the Wand of Ith becomes more of a nuisance than a game ender to your strategy.

Ultimately, pre-emptively countering or quickly dealing with the Wand is a surefire way to maintain the integrity of your deck and your path to victory, keeping your game plan intact against this potentially disruptive artifact.

Cards like Wand of Ith

Wand of Ith extends its allure within the realm of artifact cards in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), dwelling in the niche of disruption artifacts. It draws parallels to other artifacts like Icy Manipulator which also allows manipulation of your opponent’s resources through tapping. However, Wand of Ith distinguishes itself by not just tapping a target creature but also forcing a critical choice upon the opponent – risking precious card advantage or risking their defenses.

Comparable to Wand of Ith is the infamous Winter Orb. It shares the disruptive nature but operates on a larger scale, freezing down entire lands and slowing the game to a near halt. This card, unlike Wand of Ith, affects all players and can dictate the pace of the entire game, making it a cornerstone in freezing strategies but less targeted. Conversely, Maze of Ith is solely defensive, removing creatures from combat, which contrasts with the proactive choice Wand of Ith imposes.

As we delve into the intricate mechanics and strategic depths of similar MTG artifacts, Wand of Ith emerges as a unique player in the complex ballet of resource control, offering a blend of immediate disruption and long-term tactical advantage for seasoned MTG players.

Cards similar to Wand of Ith by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wand of Ith MTG card by a specific set like The Dark, 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 Wand of Ith and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wand of Ith has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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