Archetype of Finality MTG Card


Graveyard control and instant speed actions allow for tactical flexibility and surprise maneuvers. It demands careful hand management and specific mana, potentially limiting some play styles. Versatile and meta-relevant, Archetype of Finality can pivot a game in your favor.
Archetype of Finality - Born of the Gods
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment Creature — Gorgon
Released2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set nameBorn of the Gods
Set codeBNG
Power 2
Toughness 3
Number58
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChris Rahn

Text of card

Creatures you control have deathtouch. Creatures your opponents control lose deathtouch and can't have or gain deathtouch.

She sees mortals not as they wish to be, but as what they will become.


Cards like Archetype of Finality

Archetype of Finality is a unique creature in MTG that brings a tactical advantage to the battlefield. When compared to similar creature cards that interact with deathtouch, like Vampire Nighthawk, Archetype of Finality immediately stands out. While Vampire Nighthawk offers deathtouch and lifelink for a lower mana cost, Archetype of Finality’s ability to grant deathtouch to all your creatures and simultaneously strip opponents’ creatures of the same ability is a strategic game-changer.

Another card that beckons comparison is Bow of Nylea which gives attacking creatures you control deathtouch. However, Archetype of Finality covers both offense and defense, affecting the entire board and not just attacking creatures. Then there’s Glissa, the Traitor, which has deathtouch and first strike, making her a formidable individual threat. Yet she doesn’t impact other creatures like Archetype of Finality does by shifting the balance of power across the board.

To sum up, Archetype of Finality holds a distinctive place among MTG cards with deathtouch-related abilities. Despite a higher casting cost, its broad-reaching impact can dramatically affect players’ strategies, offering substantial value in both aggressive and controlling decks.

Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Bow of Nylea - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Bow of Nylea - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Archetype of Finality by color, type and mana cost

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Vault 12: The Necropolis - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Bargain - MTG Card versions
Infernal Genesis - MTG Card versions
Murgish Cemetery - MTG Card versions
Caustic Tar - MTG Card versions
Null Profusion - MTG Card versions
Enslave - MTG Card versions
Gibbering Descent - MTG Card versions
Nettlevine Blight - MTG Card versions
Wound Reflection - MTG Card versions
Thoughtrender Lamia - MTG Card versions
Over My Dead Bodies - MTG Card versions
Lich's Mastery - MTG Card versions
Curse of Fool's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Enemy of Enlightenment - MTG Card versions
The War in Heaven - MTG Card versions
Demon of Fate's Design - MTG Card versions
Genesis of the Daleks - MTG Card versions
Vault 12: The Necropolis - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Archetype of Finality offers potent utility by allowing you to manipulate both players’ graveyards. This unique ability can tilt graveyard balance in your favor, ensuring continued card relevance throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: This card exemplifies efficient resource utilization by converting creatures on the battlefield into impactful game effects. Its ability to functionally expedite your strategy makes it a formidable inclusion in decks that thrive on swift tactical shifts.

Instant Speed: Archetype of Finality’s ability to function at instant speed offers an additional layer of strategic depth. This trait allows a reactive playstyle, enabling dynamic responses to an opponent’s threats or leveraging the perfect timing to disrupt their plans, thereby maintaining control over the pace of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Archetype of Finality requires discarding another card from your hand. For players who are already managing minimal resources, this action can be detrimental, potentially forcing a choice between keeping tactical options open or deploying the card for its strategic benefits.

Specific Mana Cost: Archetype of Finality entails a particular set of mana color requirements which might not always align easily with a player’s existing mana base. This can result in the card being a dead draw in situations where the necessary mana isn’t available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that edges on the higher side, this card can slow down your early-game tempo when other cards might provide more immediate value or versatility for the same or a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Archetype of Finality in Your Collection

Versatility: Archetype of Finality is a card that can seamlessly adapt to a variety of decks, especially those that emphasize on board control and creature-based strategies. Its ability to give your creatures deathtouch creates strong defensive as well as offensive options.

Combo Potential: This card has significant potential when combined with cards that allow for creature pinging or with cards that capitalize on death triggers, transforming any ping or trade into a surefire way to control the board state.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s crowded with creature-heavy decks, Archetype of Finality can be a game-changer, discouraging opponents from attacking and potentially turning each creature you have into a lethal threat.


How to beat

Archetype of Finality is a powerful card in MTG that can define how a game unfolds. This creature card ensures that only you have deathtouch on your side of the battlefield. However, overcoming this card can shift the game in your favor. It’s essential to focus on removal spells that can bypass deathtouch, such as those that exile or can specifically target creatures with a high enough power level without entering into combat.

Counter spells play an effective role as well because they prevent Archetype of Finality from ever touching the battlefield. Engaging in direct damage through spells or abilities that deal damage without fighting can also effectively handle this creature. Moreover, board wipes are another efficient way to eliminate Archetype of Finality without allowing the deathtouch ability to activate, clearing the pathway for your own creatures to dominate the game.

Should you find yourself in a head-to-head situation with this card, prioritize playing around it. Make strategic trades, wait for the right moment or the right spell, and use your creatures’ abilities to dismantle your opponent’s strategy. The key to winning against Archetype of Finality in MTG is having the right removal at the right time.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the depths of MTG takes more than a good deck—it’s about understanding each card’s potential impact on the game. Archetype of Finality brings a new dimension to any game, providing unique advantages like graveyard control, instant speed interaction, and a board-wide tactical shift. However, mindful of its mana cost, placing it effectively in your game plan is crucial. We encourage you to explore how Archetype of Finality can synergize with your deck to maximize its potent effect. Dive deeper with us, fine-tune your strategy, and discover how to wield this card to outmaneuver and triumph over your opponents. Join us to learn more…


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Archetype of Finality MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Archetype of Finality and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Archetype of Finality has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-02-01 Conversely, continuous effects generated by static abilities (such as an Aura that granted the appropriate ability) would resume applying if the Archetype left the battlefield.
2014-02-01 If you and an opponent each control the same Archetype, no creature controlled by any player will have the appropriate ability.
2014-02-01 The Archetype’s second ability applies to each creature controlled by any of your opponents, no matter when it entered the battlefield.
2014-02-01 While you control an Archetype, continuous effects generated by the resolution of spells and abilities that would give the specified ability to creatures your opponents control aren’t created. For example, if you control Archetype of Courage, a spell cast by an opponent that gives creatures they control first strike wouldn’t cause the creatures to have first strike, even if later in the turn Archetype of Courage left the battlefield. (If the spell has additional effects, such as raising the power of the creatures, those effects will apply as normal.)