Mage-Ring Network MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 249
2018-12-07 - Number 246
2021-04-23 - Number 300
2023-08-04 - Number 1009
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Key Takeaways
- Capable of banking mana, Mage-Ring Network favors long term play and strategic resource management.
- Charging up mana provides explosive turns, ideal for high-cost spells in MTG decks.
- Mage-Ring Network’s versatility can be pivotal in late-game scenarios or mana-intensive strategies.
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool., : Put a storage counter on Mage-Ring Network., Remove X storage counters from Mage-Ring Network: Add to your mana pool.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mage-Ring Network may not directly let you draw cards, but it effectively banks your unused mana, giving you more resources to work with in future turns. This can be a decisive advantage, particularly in long games where the board is stalled or when setting up for a game-winning play.
Resource Acceleration: This land is a potent tool for mana ramping. By accumulating charge counters, Mage-Ring Network can generate a significant burst of mana when needed. This is ideal for casting high-cost spells earlier than usual, thereby accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: While Mage-Ring Network’s ability isn’t used at instant speed, it provides flexibility by allowing you to add charge counters during your opponent’s end step. This ensures that you can make the most of your mana every turn and be ready to unleash powerful spells with little warning.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Mage-Ring Network offers a unique storage mechanic for generating mana, it comes with the downside of not providing immediate mana acceleration. Players looking for an immediate boost to their mana pool may find this a hindrance, especially in faster-paced games where tempo is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Mage-Ring Network taps for colorless mana, which might not align with decks that heavily rely on colored mana for their spells and abilities. This could potentially result in suboptimal plays or delays in casting key spells that require specific color combinations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To reap the benefits of its ability, a substantial investment of mana is required to charge the network, and even more to utilize the stored mana. This high cost can be burdensome when compared to other land options that provide more immediate or flexible benefits to a player’s mana base.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mage-Ring Network fits seamlessly into a diverse range of decks, offering an essential utility for those who need a steady mana source in the later stages of the game. Its ability to store mana for future turns can be a game-changer, making it a strategic addition for decks that aim to cast high-cost spells.
Combo Potential: This land has synergistic qualities, pairing well with cards that capitalize on mana acceleration. It can enable explosive turns where large amounts of previously banked mana can be released to deploy game-ending threats or massive spells ahead of schedule.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames that lean towards protracted battles or where stalling strategies are prevalent, Mage-Ring Network’s mana storage capability allows players to bide their time and unleash powerful plays when the moment is right.
How to Beat
Mage-Ring Network is an intriguing utility land in Magic: The Gathering, enabling players to amass a stockpile of colorless mana which they can unleash in later turns. This can be particularly impactful in games that drag on, allowing for the execution of demanding spells or abilities that could turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Counteracting the advantage offered by Mage-Ring Network can be done in several ways. One effective strategy is to engage in land destruction or land disruption tactics to prevent your opponent from accumulating the crucial mana. Applying pressure early on to deplete their resources before they can fully leverage Mage-Ring Network’s ability is another sound tactic. Alternatively, utilizing cards with the ability to tap or untap lands can disrupt your opponent’s plans and hinder their ability to store mana efficiently.
Ultimately, staying attentive to the flow of the game and retaining flexibility in your strategy will provide the best chance to mitigate the benefits conferred by Mage-Ring Network. A cleverly timed Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin could effectively derail your opponent’s strategy, turning a potentially dicey situation into an advantageous one for you.
Cards like Mage-Ring Network
Mage-Ring Network stands out as a unique mana-generating land within Magic: The Gathering. In many ways, it holds similarities with lands like Temple of the False God, which provides two colorless mana under certain conditions. Mage-Ring Network, however, offers a different approach, accumulating storage counters over time for a large mana boost later on. This makes it valuable in decks requiring a sudden influx of mana for game-changing spells.
Another land in this category is Dreadship Reef, which also uses storage counters. Like Mage-Ring Network, you can invest mana into it and cash out when needed. However, Dreadship Reef provides colored mana, giving it an edge in multicolored decks but at the cost of immediate accessibility since it comes into play tapped. Then, we consider Rishadan Port, which doesn’t provide extra mana but could disrupt an opponent by tapping down their lands.
Ultimately, Mage-Ring Network offers a specific strategic advantage with its flexible mana storage mechanism. Its ability to provide a substantial burst of mana makes it a noteworthy option for players crafting decks that may need to power out expensive, impactful spells in the later stages of a game.
Cards similar to Mage-Ring Network by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mage-Ring Network MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Ultimate Masters, 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 Mage-Ring Network and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See Magic products
Printings
The Mage-Ring Network Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Jung Park.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 249 | 2015 | normal | black | Jung Park | |
| 2 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 246 | 2015 | normal | black | Jung Park | |
| 3 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 300 | 2015 | normal | black | Jung Park | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 1009 | 2015 | normal | black | Jung Park |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mage-Ring Network has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
