Academy Journeymage MTG Card


Academy Journeymage offers card advantage and the potential for two-for-one plays in a game. Its cost reduction for wizards elevates deck efficiency and allows for flexible resource allocation. However, its specific mana and higher cost can present limitations in some deck strategies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

This spell costs less to cast if you control a Wizard. When Academy Journeymage enters the battlefield, return target creature an opponent controls to its owner's hand.

"We don't choose who comes here. We choose how long they stay."


Cards like Academy Journeymage

Academy Journeymage serves as an intriguing utility creature in Magic: The Gathering, fitting snugly into decks with a wizardry theme. Its closest relative in terms of utility is the Man-o’-War, another creature known for its ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield—a handy trick for disrupting opponents’ strategies. Unlike Academy Journeymage, Man-o’-War doesn’t have the potential cost reduction for having a wizard on the field, but it comes with a lower base casting cost.

Another kin in this category is Exclusion Mage, an adept creature at managing the board by sending creatures back to their owners’ hands. While Exclusion Mage’s effect is virtually identical to Academy Journeymage’s, it lacks the cost reduction feature for players delving into the wizard archetype, making Academy Journeymage a more synergistic choice in the right deck. However, Exclusion Mage does sport a more manageable casting cost in decks not specifically tailored to wizards.

Evaluating these options reveals that Academy Journeymage stands out in wizard-centric playstyles, offering both creature control and strategic cost management, a harmonious blend of disruption and efficiency that suits its specific role within Magic: The Gathering.

Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Exclusion Mage - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Exclusion Mage - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Academy Journeymage by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Richard Garfield, Ph.D. - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Richard Garfield, Ph.D. - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: This spell can be a notable inclusion in your deck when looking for the right balance of control and tempo. Specifically, Academy Journeymage paves the way for returning an opponent’s creature to their hand, effectively a two-for-one scenario, as you introduce a body on the board while setting back your opponent’s board presence.

Resource Acceleration: For those employing wizard synergistic strategies, the cost reduction ability of Academy Journeymage serves as a form of resource acceleration. By potentially casting this creature spell for one less mana, you’re able to allocate resources more efficiently, potentially deploying other spells in the same turn or keeping mana open for reactive plays.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the tempo swing provided by Academy Journeymage can be comparable to the advantages gained at instant speed. Pacing the game is crucial and by effectively using your mana and spells to answer threats immediately, this card can tip the scales in a tight match, acting as an indirect force multiplier for your instant speed interactions in your deck.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cards that require you to discard, like Academy Journeymage, can deplete your hand quickly and leave you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a mix of color-specific mana, which can be a stumbling block when you’re not running a deck predominantly featuring blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For five mana, the impact of the Academy Journeymage‘s ability may not always justify its casting cost, especially when up against lower cost creatures with similar or better effects.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Academy Journeymage provides a flexible piece for deck construction, easily finding a home in Wizard-tribal or spellslinger decks where its cost-reduction ability and built-in tempo play are invaluable.

Combo Potential: Alongside cards that bounce creatures or replay wizards for value, the Journeymage can become a repeatable source of disruption, hindering opponents’ board states turn after turn.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy formats or against decks that rely on summoning pivotal creatures for their strategy, the ability of Academy Journeymage to bounce an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield has the potential to swing games in your favor.


How to Beat Academy Journeymage

Academy Journeymage is a notable creature in Magic: The Gathering known for its ability to disrupt opponents by returning a creature to its owner’s hand upon its casting if you control another Wizard. Strategically, when facing this card, it’s essential to reduce the utility that the opponent derives from it.

One effective tactic is to limit the number of Wizards on your adversary’s battlefield. Removing potential Wizards before the Journeymage’s arrival means denying the bounce effect the card is famous for. Countering the spell can also halt its effect entirely, so having instant counter spells in your deck is wise. Cards such as Essence Scatter or Negate are perfect for this situation.

Alternatively, focus on whisking away Academy Journeymage quickly once it lands. Employ removal spells, or leverage creatures with abilities that can exile or neutralize when they enter the battlefield. By doing so, you can minimize the tempo gain your opponent might achieve with the Journeymage and keep control of the battlefield’s pace. Using these strategies, you’ll effectively dampen the impact of Academy Journeymage and maintain an advantage in your matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Academy Journeymage MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Mystery Booster, 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 Academy Journeymage and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Academy Journeymage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27DominariaDOM 412015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 2812015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
32020-09-26The ListPLST DOM-412015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2672015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Academy Journeymage has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-04-27 If you control more than one Wizard, Academy Journeymage's cost is reduced by only .
2018-04-27 Once you announce that you're casting Academy Journeymage, no player may take other actions until the spell's been paid for. Notably, players can't try to raise the spell's cost by removing your Wizards.