Ichor Wellspring MTG Card


Yields card draw when entering and leaving the battlefield, enhancing card flow in artifact-centric decks. Activates combos and ramps mana, especially when combined with artifact synergies and sacrifice outlets. Lacks self-sacrifice, requiring external methods to trigger its leave-the-battlefield card draw.
Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

When Ichor Wellspring enters the battlefield or is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw a card.

"Our glorious infection has taken hold." —Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite


Cards like Ichor Wellspring

Ichor Wellspring stands out in the Magic: The Gathering universe as a unique artifact that synergizes with sacrificing or recycling strategies. Much like Prophetic Prism, Ichor Wellspring offers card draw upon entering the battlefield. But, where Ichor Wellspring gains an edge is its additional card draw upon leaving the battlefield, offering a two-fold advantage. Although it doesn’t fix mana like Prophetic Prism, the value of drawing a card both coming and going compounds in decks that interact with artifacts.

Conversely, when considering the likes of Mind Stone, we see a two-mana artifact that can be sacrificed for card draw as well. However, Mind Stone allows you to ramp your mana and only provides a single card upon sacrifice, making it a one-time effect unlike the repeatable potential of Ichor Wellspring in the right deck. Another card, Terrarion, is also akin to Ichor Wellspring in that it provides card draw when it leaves the battlefield, but it is gated by color and mana production, differing from Wellspring’s pure card draw focus.

When evaluating against its brethren in the artifact card draw space, Ichor Wellspring’s unique ability to draw cards upon both entrance and exit certainly carves a niche for itself, particularly in artifact-centric decks where such triggers are paramount.

Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Mind Stone - MTG Card versions
Terrarion - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Mind Stone - MTG Card versions
Terrarion - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ichor Wellspring by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
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Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Ichor Wellspring. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grixis AffinityGrixis Affinity PauperGrixis AffinityPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-03
GoblinsGoblins PauperGoblinsPauper League 2024-05-02
BGBG PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-03
BRGBRG PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-04
Golgari GardensGolgari Gardens PauperGolgari GardensPauper Preliminary 2024-05-02
TronTron PauperTronPauper League 2024-05-01
5c Synthesizer5c Synthesizer Pauper5c SynthesizerPauper Challenge 32 2024-05-03

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ichor Wellspring provides a unique card draw mechanism. When it enters the battlefield and when it leaves, you get to draw a card, effectively cycling through your deck and ensuring a continuous flow of resources which can be crucial for building up your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Integrating seamlessly with artifact synergies, this card can enable various combos to ramp up your mana. For example, pairing it with a sacrifice outlet can not only draw you a card but also potentially trigger other abilities that produce mana or provide cost reductions on your spells.

Instant Speed: While Ichor Wellspring itself does not operate at instant speed, its interactions with instant-speed sacrifice mechanisms allow for unexpected plays. Sacrificing this card on an opponent’s turn to draw can provide the surprise element needed to outmaneuver opponents, making it a versatile asset in situations that demand flexibility and cunning.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ichor Wellspring provides card draw upon entering and leaving the battlefield, it does not come with an inherent ability to self-sacrifice, requiring other cards or methods to dispose of it to reap the second benefit. This can lead to situational disadvantages if you don’t have the means to trigger its departure effect.

Specific Mana Cost: Ichor Wellspring demands a precise mana cost for its casting, incorporating generic mana which makes it accessible, but also means it does not favor any particular type of mana acceleration or cost reduction that could be afforded by color-specific cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two-mana cost and no immediate board impact, Ichor Wellspring can be seen as a slow investment. Given that MTG is a game where the pace can be crucial, the timing of when to play this artifact has to be carefully considered, as there are alternative draw cards or artifacts that offer more immediate value or lower deployment costs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ichor Wellspring is a powerful asset in any deck that thrives on card draw and artifact synergy. Being an artifact itself, it’s a perfect fit for strategies that capitalize on such interactions.

Combo Potential: With Ichor Wellspring, the combo possibilities are extensive. From sacrificing it for value to recurring it from the graveyard, this card can serve as a key piece in intricate plays that can turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to mesh well with prevalent artifact strategies, Ichor Wellspring maintains a strong presence in various meta environments. It provides consistent card advantage that can keep you ahead of the competition.


How to beat

Ichor Wellspring is an intriguing permanent that offers card draw benefits in MTG, particularly for artifact-centric decks. This card finds its strength in synergy, often being used in decks that feature artifact sacrifice or recursion mechanics to maximize card draw. Given its ability to draw a card upon entering and leaving the battlefield, it’s important to prevent these triggers to effectively combat its advantages.

To outmaneuver Ichor Wellspring, disruption is key. Consider running artifact removal like Abrade or Nature’s Claim to eliminate Wellspring without triggering its death effect, since these cards exile or otherwise neutralize without invoking a traditional destroy mechanism. Another tactic is to employ counterplay strategies with cards like Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe, which hinder the abilities of artifacts and effectively shut down the advantage Wellspring seeks to provide. Pinpointing the timing to interrupt combos that use Wellspring’s draw mechanics can stifle your opponent’s momentum and card advantage, providing you with a clear path to victory.

By understanding the card’s role within its deck and effectively strategizing its neutralization, you position yourself advantageously against decks that rely on the card draw and synergistic functions of Ichor Wellspring.


BurnMana Recommendations

Magic the Gathering enthusiasts understand the value of a well-rounded collection, and Ichor Wellspring is a card that promises versatility and strategic depth. Those who thrive on card advantage and intricate combos will find this artifact to be a rewarding inclusion in their decks. Through the detailed analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, as well as considering its synergy with other cards, Ichor Wellspring can become a formidable tool in artifact-centric or engine decks. For those looking to harness the full potential of their deck’s synergies and elevate their MTG experience, incorporating Ichor Wellspring can be a game-changer. Delve into its diverse applications and join us as we explore the finer nuances of deck building and card interaction to secure your edge in the next duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ichor Wellspring MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Commander 2014, 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 Ichor Wellspring and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ichor Wellspring Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 1102003NormalBlackSteven Belledin
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 2412015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2582015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
42018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 1932015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
52020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2612015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
62021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2452015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
72021-05-27Historic Anthology 5HA5 242015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
82021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7632015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
92022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 841997NormalBlackSteven Belledin
102022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 211997NormalBlackSteven Belledin
112022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1431997NormalBlackSteven Belledin
122022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 84z1997NormalBlackSteven Belledin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ichor Wellspring has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-06-01 The ability will trigger when Ichor Wellspring is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, even if the ability that triggered when it entered the battlefield hasn't resolved yet.