Ghen, Arcanum Weaver MTG Card


Ghen excels in card advantage by reusing enchantments, ensuring a full hand of options. Enables resource acceleration, allowing reuse of enchantments without additional mana costs. Instant speed adaptability with Ghen sets the stage for impactful, responsive gameplay.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

, , Sacrifice an enchantment: Return target enchantment card from your graveyard to the battlefield.

"Any apprentice with a spellbook and two sticks can churn out a fireball. This is different. This is art."


Cards like Ghen, Arcanum Weaver

Ghen, Arcanum Weaver enters an illustrious category of spell-weaving magnificence in Magic: The Gathering. Wielding a distinct take on graveyard manipulation, Ghen allows players to directly swap an enchantment card from the graveyard for one in play. A resemblance can be drawn with the likes of Dance of the Manse, a card that also brings enchantments from the graveyard to the battlefield, but with the added twist of potentially turning them into creatures based on the amount of mana spent.

Comparisons could also be drawn to Starfield of Nyx, which possesses the enchantment recursion ability, albeit in a less controlled but more repetitive manner. While Ghen focuses on specific, single-instance exchanges, Starfield can potentially replenish your field with enchantments turn after turn. This added endurance can sometimes outweigh Ghen’s immediate but one-off effect. Finally, considering Open the Vaults, it has a broader scope, resurrecting all enchantment and artifact cards from the graveyard, impacting everyone’s board—a double-edged sword, creating a massive shift in the state of play but requiring careful timing.

In essence, while other cards offer a more gradual or comprehensive approach to enchantment recursion, Ghen’s targeted exchange mechanism provides a strategic depth that rewards skillful play and intricate knowledge of your deck’s potential and the current battlefield.

Dance of the Manse - MTG Card versions
Starfield of Nyx - MTG Card versions
Open the Vaults - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Manse - MTG Card versions
Starfield of Nyx - MTG Card versions
Open the Vaults - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ghen, Arcanum Weaver by color, type and mana cost

Isshin, Two Heavens as One - MTG Card versions
Alesha, Who Smiles at Death - MTG Card versions
Mathas, Fiend Seeker - MTG Card versions
Kaalia, Zenith Seeker - MTG Card versions
Kelsien, the Plague - MTG Card versions
Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter - MTG Card versions
Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad - MTG Card versions
Isshin, Two Heavens as One - MTG Card versions
Alesha, Who Smiles at Death - MTG Card versions
Mathas, Fiend Seeker - MTG Card versions
Kaalia, Zenith Seeker - MTG Card versions
Kelsien, the Plague - MTG Card versions
Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter - MTG Card versions
Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ghen Arcanum Weaver excels at manipulating the battlefield by allowing players to swap enchantments from the graveyard to the playing field. This not only can recur powerful enchantments for repeated use but also keeps your hand full of other strategic options, maximizing the value of every card.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling the reuse of high-cost enchantments, Ghen effectively accelerates resource management. Players can invest in casting these spells once and then continue to leverage them throughout the game with Ghen’s ability, bypassing the need for additional mana investment each turn.

Instant Speed: Although Ghen’s ability isn’t at instant speed, it sets up scenarios where players can make impactful plays during their main phase, then proceed with untapped mana, ready to respond instantly to opponents’ actions. By continuously rotating enchantments, a player can adapt faster to changing conditions on the battlefield, maintaining a dynamic presence even outside of instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ghen Arcanum Weaver necessitates the discard of another enchantment card to activate its ability. This can put players at a disadvantage when their hand is depleted or if they’re unwilling to part with key enchantments already in play.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirement calls for a particular mix of mana colors, which includes red, white, and black. This can restrict the card’s inclusion to decks that can accommodate such a mana base or necessitate special deckbuilding to generate these colors consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ghen’s activation cost is not inconsiderable. Needing three mana to utilize his ability means players may delay important plays, potentially forfeiting tempo in a game where speed and efficiency are often key to securing a win.


Reasons to Include Ghen Arcanum Weaver in Your Collection

Versatility: Ghen Arcanum Weaver thrives in decks that exploit the vast array of enchantments available in MTG. Its ability to swap enchantments from the graveyard to the battlefield allows for dynamic playstyles and can adapt to various in-game situations.

Combo Potential: This card opens the door to numerous combos by resurrecting high-impact enchantments that can turn the tide of a match. Its synergistic nature with enchantment-focused strategies means it can seamlessly integrate into and enhance combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given the popularity of enchantment-heavy commanders and strategies, Ghen fits into the current meta by offering a recurring value engine. Its relevance grows as more enchantments are introduced in new sets, keeping it a timely addition for collectors and competitive players alike.


How to beat

Ghen Arcanum Weaver is a unique commander in MTG that specializes in enchantment recursion. To disrupt Ghen’s game plan, players should prioritize removing key enchantments from the graveyard. This can be achieved by using graveyard hate cards such as Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace which exile graveyards, preventing Ghen from getting value by reanimating enchantments. Counterspells are also effective to halt Ghen’s activation directly or to prevent important enchantments from hitting the board in the first place.

Another strategy is to keep Ghen off the battlefield altogether. Board wipes or targeted removal like Doom Blade and Path to Exile can efficiently handle the task. Keep in mind that if Ghen is repeatedly removed, its controller will be strained for the tax cost to cast it multiple times. It is also advantageous to play proactively by having a more aggressive board presence, forcing Ghen’s controller to use their resources defensively which can disrupt their setup.

Conclusively, maintaining graveyard control, prepared counterspells, and a strategy to remove threats from the board are key in conquering a deck lead by Ghen Arcanum Weaver. By doing so, players can effectively diminish the impact of this potent enchantment-driven commander.


BurnMana Recommendations

Engaging with Ghen Arcanum Weaver calls for a blend of strategy and adaptability. This card isn’t just a tool for command; it’s a gateway to a trove of enchantment possibilities. It shines in settings where rapid shifts in game dynamics are commonplace, and its potential grows with each new enchantment introduced to your arsenal. Ready to discover the depths of Ghen’s strategic potential? Dive deeper with us for more insights and tips to weave enchantment magic into your gameplay and build decks that resonate with your personal playstyle. Your mastery of MTG awaits!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ghen, Arcanum Weaver MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Ghen, Arcanum Weaver 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 Ghen, Arcanum Weaver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 863402015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 2752015NormalBlackKieran Yanner
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5952015NormalBlackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ghen, Arcanum Weaver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 An Aura put onto the battlefield this way doesn't target anything (so it could be attached to an opponent's permanent with hexproof, for example), but the Aura's enchant ability restricts what it can be attached to. If the Aura can't legally be attached to anything, it remains in your graveyard.
2020-11-10 Because targets are chosen before costs are paid (such as the cost of sacrificing an enchantment), Ghen's ability can't target the enchantment you intend to sacrifice to activate its ability.