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Writer's pictureConnor Kirkwood

Ask the AI: Top Ten Cards from Antiquities


Mishra's Workshop
Artist: Kaja Foglio

What are the ten most powerful Magic the Gathering cards printed in Antiquities?



1. Mishra's Workshop



Mishra's Workshop is an immensely powerful land that generates a significant amount of mana specifically for casting artifacts. Its ability to accelerate artifact-based strategies, enabling players to deploy threats ahead of schedule or amass a board presence quickly, has made it a cornerstone of artifact-centric decks in formats like Vintage. The Workshop's impact on deck construction and its role in facilitating explosive plays solidify its place on the list of influential cards from the Antiquities set.


 

2. Strip Mine



This land card stands out for its ability to destroy any land on the battlefield, making it a versatile and powerful tool for disrupting opponents' mana bases. Its unrestricted land destruction has made it a staple in various formats, from Vintage to Commander. Strip Mine's presence has heavily influenced deck construction, often forcing players to consider strategies to protect their key lands or to include land recursion cards.


 

3. Transmute Artifact



As one of Magic's earliest examples of a powerful and versatile tutor effect, Transmute Artifact has been integral to artifact-based combo decks and toolbox strategies. Its ability to search for any artifact, albeit with a potential cost, has led to innovative deckbuilding and intricate gameplay decisions. Transmute Artifact remains a cornerstone of artifact-centric decks in Vintage and Commander formats, contributing to their consistency and adaptability.


 

4. Power Artifact



This enchantment drastically reduces the cost of activating an artifact's abilities, often leading to explosive mana generation or game-ending combos. Power Artifact has been a key component in numerous artifact-centric strategies, enabling powerful and efficient plays that can quickly overwhelm opponents. Its inclusion in combo decks and artifact synergy strategies highlights its versatility and impact on Magic's gameplay dynamics.


 

5. Ashnod's Altar



As a potent mana acceleration tool and sacrifice outlet, Ashnod's Altar has been pivotal in enabling combo decks and token strategies. Its ability to convert creature tokens into additional mana or other resources has fueled explosive plays and intricate combo chains. Ashnod's Altar remains a cornerstone of combo decks in various formats, showcasing its enduring impact on Magic's gameplay dynamics and deck diversity.


 

6. Mishra's Factory



This land stands out for its versatility, functioning as both a creature and a land. Mishra's Factory has been a staple in aggressive decks, providing a consistent threat while also contributing to mana development. Its ability to turn into a creature at a moment's notice has made it a resilient and adaptable card in various formats, showcasing its enduring impact on Magic's gameplay dynamics and deck construction.


 

7. Argivian Archaeologist



This creature card provides valuable recursion and graveyard manipulation, allowing players to return artifacts from their graveyard to their hand. Argivian Archaeologist has been instrumental in artifact-centric strategies, providing resilience and card advantage in prolonged matchups. Its inclusion in artifact-heavy decks underscores its versatility and strategic importance, showcasing its enduring impact on Magic's gameplay dynamics and deck construction.


 

8. Hurkyl's Recall



This instant from the Antiquities set has stood the test of time and remains a staple in various formats due to its powerful effect. Hurkyl's Recall returns all artifacts to their owners' hands, making it an efficient and devastating tool for disrupting artifact-based strategies, such as artifact combo decks or artifact-heavy board states. Its versatility and efficiency have ensured its continued playability across multiple formats, influencing deck construction decisions and reshaping the dynamics of artifact-centric strategies.


 

9. Candelabra of Tawnos



This artifact provides a unique mana manipulation effect, allowing players to untap multiple lands. Candelabra of Tawnos has been instrumental in storm-based combo decks and high-tide strategies, amplifying mana production and enabling explosive turns. Its inclusion in various combo decks has showcased its versatility and capacity to generate significant advantage in competitive play. Candelabra of Tawnos highlights the importance of mana efficiency and manipulation in Magic's gameplay, influencing deck construction and strategic decision-making in multiple formats.


 

10. Urza's Tower, Mine, and Power Plant



These three lands, collectively known as the Urza lands or Tron lands, synergize to produce enormous amounts of mana when assembled. They enable ramp strategies and facilitate the casting of powerful spells ahead of schedule. Urza lands have influenced deck archetypes across various formats, from Modern Tron decks to Legacy and Vintage strategies, showcasing their enduring impact on Magic's gameplay dynamics.


 

So what do you think? Are these the ten most powerful cards from Antiquities? Let us know in the comments below!

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