Bolas's Citadel MTG Card


Bolas’s Citadel offers significant card advantage by allowing you to play off the top of your library. The artifact enables casting multiple cards by life expenditure, bypassing mana for resource acceleration. Strategic deck building to counter its vulnerabilities, like disruption tactics, is key to overcoming the Citadel.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact

Text of card

You may look at the top card of your library any time. You may play lands and cast spells from the top of your library. If you cast a spell this way, pay life equal to its mana value rather than pay its mana cost. , Sacrifice ten nonland permanents: Each opponent loses 10 life.


Cards like Bolas's Citadel

In the world of MTG, Bolas’s Citadel commands attention due to its unique card draw and life expenditure mechanics. It’s quite comparable to Aetherflux Reservoir, a rare artifact that also shares synergy with life-based spells. Bolas’s Citadel allows the player to play the top card of their library, with a life cost equal to the card’s converted mana cost. Reservoir, on the other hand, presents the opportunity for incremental life gain, which could eventually culminate in a massive life-draining finishing move.

In the same breath, we have Experimental Frenzy. While it doesn’t involve life expenditure, this enchantment allows you to play cards from the top of your library – a mechanic that echoes within Bolas’s Citadel. The catch, however, is the lack of access to your hand – a restriction that Bolas’s Citadel does not impose.

Then, there’s Future Sight. It also mirrors the ability to play with the top card of one’s library revealed, sans life cost. Yet, its absence of a potent game-ending effect puts it a step behind compared to the Citadel. Ultimately, each of these similar cards provides opportunities for strategic depth. However, the sheer value and potential turn around capabilities that Bolas’s Citadel provides are arguably unequalled.

Aetherflux Reservoir - MTG Card versions
Experimental Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Future Sight - MTG Card versions
Aetherflux Reservoir - MTG Card versions
Experimental Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Future Sight - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bolas's Citadel by color, type and mana cost

Tribal Golem - MTG Card versions
Salvage Titan - MTG Card versions
Noxious Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Bloodsoaked Altar - MTG Card versions
Tomb Blade - MTG Card versions
Trazyn the Infinite - MTG Card versions
Hexmark Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Blitzwing, Cruel Tormentor // Blitzwing, Adaptive Assailant - MTG Card versions
Goring Warplow - MTG Card versions
Tribal Golem - MTG Card versions
Salvage Titan - MTG Card versions
Noxious Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Bloodsoaked Altar - MTG Card versions
Tomb Blade - MTG Card versions
Trazyn the Infinite - MTG Card versions
Hexmark Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Blitzwing, Cruel Tormentor // Blitzwing, Adaptive Assailant - MTG Card versions
Goring Warplow - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Bolas's Citadel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Oath of DruidsOath of Druids VintageOath of DruidsVintage League 2024-04-25
Golgari CitadelGolgari Citadel PioneerGolgari CitadelPioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-28
Grixis Underworld BreachGrixis Underworld Breach VintageUnderworld BreachVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Esper TinkerEsper Tinker VintageBlue TinkerVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-18
Jewel ShopsJewel Shops VintageJewel ShopsVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-27
Paradoxical OutcomeParadoxical Outcome VintageParadoxical OutcomeVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-14
DoomsdayDoomsday LegacyDoomsdayLegacy League 2024-04-21
4c Underworld Breach4c Underworld Breach VintageUnderworld BreachVintage Challenge 32 2024-04-18
Blue Moon PainterBlue Moon Painter VintageBlue TinkerLondon Vintage Tournament #4 - April 2024
Tinker BreachTinker Breach VintageUnderworld BreachLondon Vintage Tournament #4 - April 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bolas’s Citadel excels at providing card advantage in MTG games. Its primary ability lets you take a glimpse at the top card of your library anytime you want and play without any cost, filling your hand with quality cards as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: The Citadel not only can fuel up your resource pool but also can perform formidable resource acceleration. You are able to cast the cards from the top of your deck by sacrificing life rather than mana. This way, you bypass the traditional resource restriction and accelerate your turns by casting multiple cards.

Instant Speed: While Bolas’s Citadel is not an instant card itself, it allows you to utilize cards at an instant speed if they are on the top of your library. You have the flexibility to react to your opponent’s turn by casting sorceries, creatures, or artifacts when you deem it necessary, making your strategy more unpredictable and dynamic.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bolas’s Citadel, while an impressive card, does require a rather harsh play setup. It obliges players to sacrifice a significant portion of their life points, corresponding to the card’s casting cost, each time a card is played from the top of the deck, thereby putting a substantial tax on one’s resources

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost specifics may limit its versatility. Aside from its hefty six mana cost, three are specifically black, thus confining this card to black-themed or multicolored decks, which may not mesh with some players’ strategies or deck themes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a whopping six mana cost, Bolas’s Citadel may not always be the most efficient card to play. The high mana requirement, along with its demanding life-sacrifice mechanic, makes this card a high-risk, high-reward option that might not always yield favorable outcomes.


Reasons to Include Bolas’s Citadel in Your Collection

Versatility: Bolas’s Citadel is a multifaceted card that fits into various deck archetypes. Its ability to cast cards from the top of your library, while using your life total, provides flexibility in both maintaining a board presence and gaining card advantage.

Combo Potential: Showcasing exceptional synergy with sacrifice effects and life gain strategies, Bolas’s Citadel is an enabler of explosive combo plays. It presents a unique angle of play, turning life totals into another resource for winning games and triggering powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: Decks that favor mid-range or control strategies, with a focus on lifelink or deck manipulation, can highly benefit from Bolas’s Citadel. This card is a game-winner in the right setups and an important piece in any competitive meta-game.


How to Beat

Bolas’s Citadel is a highly rated card in Magic: The Gathering due to its power to make a game-changing power play. This artifact card allows you to cast the top card of your library without paying its mana cost by spending life points instead. However, every great card comes with its vulnerabilities, and Bolas’s Citadel is no exception.

To beat this card, one effective strategy is to use disruption tactics. A common method is by applying a counter spell immediately when your opponent attempts to cast Bolas’s Citadel. Cards such as Negate, Dovin’s Veto, or any others that can counter an artifact card could prove to be very effective.

Other than that, once it’s on the battlefield, direct artifact removal can also be a potent solution. Invoke the Divine, Crush Contraband, or Generous Gift are amongst several solutions for this scenario. Alternatively, manipulating your opponent’s library, forcing them to draw cards they do not need, could rob the Citadel of its powerful advantage.

In conclusion, overcoming the power of Bolas’s Citadel involves a strategic blend of counter spells, direct removal, and library disruption to win the duel against this formidable artifact in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the full potential of Bolas’s Citadel is an exhilarating challenge for any MTG player. Given its multi-layered benefits and the intricacies of implementing it successfully within various deck archetypes, true mastery of this card can be game-defining. Whether it’s achieving that explosive turnaround or enhancing your current strategy, Bolas’s Citadel offers depth, power, and a thrilling gameplay experience. As you refine your collection and strategies, consider the many facets of MTG. Immerse yourself in the analytics behind each card, and take advantage of the various interactions within your deck. We welcome you to dive deeper into the MTG realm and uncover transformative plays that define champions.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bolas's Citadel MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Bolas's Citadel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bolas's Citadel Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2021-06-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 999751997NormalBlackJonas De Ro
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 723172015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
32019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 792015NormalBlackJonas De Ro
42019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 79p2015NormalBlackJonas De Ro
52019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 792015NormalBlackPiotr Dura
62019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 79s2015NormalBlackJonas De Ro
72019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11872015NormalBlackLorenzo Mastroianni
82021-06-22Love Your LGS 2021PLG21 31997NormalBlackJonas De Ro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bolas's Citadel has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-05-03 Bolas’s Citadel lets you look at the top card of your library whenever you want (with one restriction—see below), even if you don’t have priority. This action doesn’t use the stack. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand.
2019-05-03 Bolas’s Citadel may be one of the permanents you sacrifice to activate its last ability.
2019-05-03 If a spell has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
2019-05-03 If the top card of your library changes while you’re casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, you can’t look at the new top card until you finish doing so. This means that if you cast the top card of your library, you can’t look at the next one until you’re done paying for that spell.
2019-05-03 If you cast a spell for another cost “rather than pay its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, such as that of Spark Harvest, those must be paid to cast the card.
2019-05-03 In a Two-Headed Giant game, the last ability of Bolas’s Citadel causes the opposing team to lose 20 life.
2019-05-03 You can play a land card from the top of your library only if you have available land plays remaining.
2019-05-03 You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions of the cards you play from your library.