Alchemist's Greeting MTG Card


Provides card advantage by maximizing hand potential with its madness mechanic. Enforces aggressive play through removal and tempo control in creature-heavy matches. Offers strategic depth with its pseudo-instant speed flexibility in spell-oriented decks.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Madness

Text of card

Alchemist's Greeting deals 4 damage to target creature. Madness (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)

"Impressive." —Chandra Nalaar


Cards like Alchemist's Greeting

Alchemist’s Greeting is a unique action card in Magic: The Gathering, often compared to removal spells like Flame Slash or Fiery Temper. Notably, Alchemist’s Greeting has the potential to deal 4 damage to a creature. However, what sets this card apart is its madness cost, enabling players to cast it for a reduced amount if they discard it from their hand.

Flame Slash offers a straightforward approach with its single red mana cost to deal 4 damage to a creature, lacking the flexibility of madness. Meanwhile, Fiery Temper also features madness but at a lower 3 damage output. Consequently, each card presents a distinct set of strategies. With Alchemist’s Greeting, you have a hard-hitting sorcery that can be a game-changer if played for its madness cost, providing a balance between cost and impact.

In synthesizing these elements, Alchemist’s Greeting holds its place in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile card that can surprise opponents and shift the momentum of the game, especially when used with a clever madness-triggering strategy.

Flame Slash - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Flame Slash - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Alchemist’s Greeting, the card provides not just direct damage but an added benefit when used with the madness mechanic. If you happen to discard it to another effect and cast it for its madness cost, you are effectively utilizing the cards in your hand to their fullest potential, leading to card advantage in a roundabout way.

Resource Acceleration: This card in itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, but it can act as a catalyst in a deck that capitalizes on spell synergies. The action of using four or five mana to remove a creature can pave the way for an aggressive mana curve, allowing you to follow up with even more potent threats or answers.

Instant Speed: While Alchemist’s Greeting is a sorcery, it’s essential to note the particular scenarios where it behaves like an instant. If played for its madness cost, it can be surprisingly versatile, allowing you to react to your opponent’s plays unexpectedly, giving it a psuedo-instant speed nature in the right deck context.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Alchemist’s Greeting necessitates a discard when you cast it for its madness cost. This condition can be a set-back if your hand is already scarce on cards, forcing a tough decision on which resources to let go.

Specific Mana Cost: Its demand for both generic and red mana can pose a limitation. Decks that aren’t centered around red mana may find it challenging to consistently meet the card’s casting requirements, reducing its overall flexibility in a multi-color strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing five mana to deal damage and potentially only tapping a creature might not always represent the best value. In a game where efficiency is key, the mana required to play Alchemist’s Greeting competes with other impactful spells you could be casting instead, which may offer a more substantial effect on the game’s state for a similar or lower cost.


Reasons to Include Alchemist’s Greeting in Your Collection

Versatility: Alchemist’s Greeting serves as not just removal, but also a notable addition for decks that might benefit from spell synergy or madness mechanic variants. It can destroy an opponent’s high-threat creature, while also having the potential to change the course of the game when utilized at the right moment.

Combo Potential: The card carries with it the madness cost, allowing it to seamlessly integrate with strategies that revolve around discarding cards for value, potentially turning a drawback into a powerful advantage. It pairs well with decks that aim to cycle their hand rapidly for maximum effect.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with creatures, Alchemist’s Greeting can provide immediate impact by dealing with major threats or simply by giving an edge in creature-heavy matchups. Its place in a collection is both as a reactive tool and a proactive game piece amidst a diverse meta.


How to beat

Alchemist’s Greeting is a potent card that can be a game-changer in MTG due to its ability to deal damage and potentially transform a creature. To overcome this challenge, it’s wise to focus on strategies that anticipate and mitigate the damage it can cause. For instance, consider maintaining a full hand to have options ready for response. Deploying creatures with high toughness can withstand Alchemist’s Greeting’s initial impact. Utilizing spells that grant indestructibility or protection from red can also be key, as they directly counter its damaging effect.

Moreover, a well-timed counterspell could negate Alchemist’s Greeting before it ever takes effect. Be aware of your opponent’s mana pool since casting Alchemist’s Greeting requires a significant investment of five mana, leaving them potentially vulnerable to your counter-actions. Additionally, some cards can preemptively remove spells from an opponent’s deck or hand, disrupting their plan before Alchemist’s Greeting can be cast. By understanding this card’s dynamics and taking proactive measures, you can effectively nullify its threat and maintain control of the game board.


BurnMana Recommendations

As an MTG player, digging deeper into card dynamics enhances each match you play. Alchemist’s Greeting is one such card with layers worth peeling back, combining destructive power and strategic finesse through its madness ability. Leveraging such a card to its fullest potential can be pivotal in both casual and competitive environments. If you’re keen on honing your deck-building skills or just looking to throw a curveball in your next game, incorporating tactics around this card is a clever move. We’re here to guide your exploration into the myriad of techniques that make MTG not only a battle of wits but an enduring quest for excellence. Visit us to unearth more secrets of maneuvering cards like Alchemist’s Greeting for your ultimate game advantage.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Alchemist's Greeting MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Commander 2019, 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 Alchemist's Greeting and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Alchemist's Greeting Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Jakub Kasper.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 1162015NormalBlackJakub Kasper
22019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1332015NormalBlackJakub Kasper
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 8362015NormalBlackJakub Kasper
42020-09-26The ListPLST EMN-1162015NormalBlackJakub Kasper
52021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 4072015NormalBlackJakub Kasper
62023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1402015NormalBlackJakub Kasper

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Alchemist's Greeting has restrictions

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