Ancient Stone Idol MTG Card


It provides card advantage by leaving behind a valuable creature token upon death. Potential for early play due to cost reduction linked to attacking creatures. Flash ability adds surprise and strategic depth during the combat phase.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost10
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Golem
Abilities Trample, Flash
Power 12
Toughness 12

Text of card

Flash This spell costs less to cast for each attacking creature. Trample When Ancient Stone Idol dies, create a 6/12 colorless Construct artifact creature token with trample.


Cards like Ancient Stone Idol

Ancient Stone Idol makes a grand entrance onto the battlefield as a commanding artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering. With a similarity to other high-cost creatures, such as Desolation Twin, it presents players with a massive 10/10 form. However, Ancient Stone Idol distances itself with its cost-reduction feature, which allows for a potential early game play by reducing its cost per attacking creature.

Another parallel could be drawn to Ulamog’s Crusher, a behemoth in its own right that also carries the weight of a 10/10 creature. But unlike Ancient Stone Idol, Ulamog’s Crusher mandates an all-out attack each turn, which can become a double-edged sword. On the flip side, the Idol can offer a strategic advantage with less aggressive attack requirements and the added benefit of leaving behind a Stone Idol Trap token upon its destruction.

Looking across the MTG universe, the Idol occupies a niche in the pantheon of creature cards by balancing brute force with an element of survivability. The token generation provides a lingering presence on the board, making the Idol not just a formidable creature, but also a strategic asset for resilient deck building.

Desolation Twin - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Crusher - MTG Card versions
Desolation Twin - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Crusher - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Ancient Stone Idol dies, it leaves behind a 6/12 colorless Construct artifact creature token, effectively replacing itself on the battlefield and maintaining your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: With a cost reduction ability that takes into consideration the total power of attacking creatures, this card potentially enables an earlier than expected play, swiftly bolstering your field with a substantial threat.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Ancient Stone Idol can be a surprise element due to its Flash ability, allowing you to cast it any time you could cast an instant, catching opponents off-guard during their attack phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Ancient Stone Idol doesn’t exactly force you to discard cards, but it does have a built-in sacrifice mechanism. Late in the game, when you need all the resources you can manage, having to consider the strategic option of sacrificing your Idol could be a setback, especially when you’re trying to maintain a presence on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: While the cost of the Ancient Stone Idol can be reduced under certain conditions, it initially imposes a heavy mana investment of ten. This specific cost, albeit colorless, makes it a card that you can’t easily slot into just any deck without careful planning around your mana curve and available resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Ancient Stone Idol’s mana cost is one of its biggest limitations. Despite its powerful body and potential end-game impact, the fact remains that at a full cost of ten mana, it is competing with numerous other high-impact cards that may offer immediate board presence or game-winning effects without such a substantial investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ancient Stone Idol not only serves as a formidable creature on the board but can also be discounted easily in decks that are creature heavy or during games where there’s extensive combat. This makes it a perfect fit for a variety of strategies, especially where big creatures are key.

Combo Potential: Upon its destruction, it leaves behind a powerful artifact token, The Stone Idol Trap, which can be pivotal for strategies that capitalize on artifact synergies or require high-powered tokens for sacrifices or other combo engines.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games extend into the later turns or where there’s a prevalence of creature-based strategies, Ancient Stone Idol can be a game-changing play. Its ability to enter the battlefield at a potentially reduced cost makes it a relevant option for ramp strategies or as a surprise blocker against aggressive decks.


How to beat

Ancient Stone Idol is a commanding presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering with its massive 12/12 stats and the ability to cost less for each attacking creature on your opponent’s side. This colorless artifact creature can be a real game-ender if not handled promptly. To counter this behemoth, one should have removals ready, like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can effectively eliminate it before it starts dominating the game. It’s also worth noting that its flash ability enables surprising blocking tactics, so be aware of your attack strategies.

Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are also pivotal tools, especially since the Idol’s reduction can enable an early game appearance that could catch you off guard. Control decks that can counter noncreature spells are also useful since the Idol can bring The Foundry, an artifact token with trample, into play after it’s put into a graveyard from the battlefield. Therefore, having a countermeasure for artifact abilities, like Abrade or naturalize effects, can help keep the aftermath of the Idol’s defeat under control.

Ultimately, flexibility in your deck to address large threats quickly and efficiently is key to coming out on top against the Ancient Stone Idol.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves not just playing your cards right, but also knowing which ones to include in your deck. With traits like board presence maintenance and versatility, Ancient Stone Idol earns respect on the battlefield. For those crafting creature-heavy lineups or seeking unexpected plays with flash ability, this mammoth artifact offers both raw power and strategic depth. Its impressive combo potential and artifact synergy make it an intriguing pick for enthusiasts aiming to fortify their collection with multifaceted cards. Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG, enhancing your deck with Ancient Stone Idol and elevating your game to legendary status.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ancient Stone Idol MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2018, 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 Ancient Stone Idol and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ancient Stone Idol Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Josh Hass.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 707552015NormalBlackJosh Hass
22018-08-09Commander 2018C18 532015NormalBlackJosh Hass
32023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3472015NormalBlackJosh Hass
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9402015NormalBlackJosh Hass
52024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2222015NormalBlackJosh Hass

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ancient Stone Idol has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 Ancient Stone Idol's cost is reduced for each attacking creature, not just creatures attacking you. It even counts your attacking creatures.
2018-07-13 If there are enough attacking creatures, Ancient Stone Idol's cost can be reduced to .
2018-07-13 The total cost to cast a spell is locked in before you pay that cost. For example, if you control five attacking creatures, including one you can sacrifice to add to your mana pool, Ancient Stone Idol costs to cast. Then you can sacrifice the creature when you activate mana abilities just before paying the cost, and it still costs only to cast.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.