Jade Statue MTG Card


Jade Statue enables card advantage by being a battlefield asset without depleting your hand. Activates at instant speed for defense, but static during opponent’s turn, inviting strategic play. Combines versatile defense with combo potential, thriving against targeted removal meta strategies.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

: Jade Statue becomes a creature for the duration of the current attack exchange. Can be a creature only during an attack or defense.

"Some of the other guys dared me to touch it, but I knew it weren't no ordinary hunk o' rock." —Norin the Wary


Cards like Jade Statue

Jade Statue stands as an iconic artifact from early in Magic: The Gathering’s history. What makes Jade Statue distinct in its category is the ability to become a creature until end of turn. On the surface, it may remind players of animated permanents like Animation Module or even Key to the City, which can also turn non-creature artifacts into formidable creatures on the battlefield.

The resemblance to Mishra’s Factory is apparent, giving players an artifact that can morph into a creature as needed. However, Mishra’s Factory can be a land one moment and a creature the next without waiting for your next turn. Jade Statue’s activation cost and only operating during your turn constrain its flexibility compared to lands like Mishra’s Factory.

To consider a more recent peer, Guardian Idol enters the arena. It’s a mana rock that can swiftly become an indestructible creature, requiring no mana to activate its combat capabilities, providing not just board presence but also resilience. The simplicity and strategic depth of Jade Statue still speak to players who look for that classic connect to the game’s roots while balancing the use of their artifact slots.

Animation Module - MTG Card versions
Key to the City - MTG Card versions
Mishra's Factory - MTG Card versions
Guardian Idol - MTG Card versions
Animation Module - MTG Card versions
Key to the City - MTG Card versions
Mishra's Factory - MTG Card versions
Guardian Idol - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Jade Statue by color, type and mana cost

Conservator - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Grappling Hook - MTG Card versions
Conservator - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Paruns - MTG Card versions
Grappling Hook - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Jade Statue becomes a load-bearing asset on the battlefield without consuming your hand resources, helping to sustain card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: As it doesn’t require mana to maintain its presence on the board, it permits the allocation of resources elsewhere, effectively acting as a resource acceleration tool in longer games.

Instant Speed: Its activation at instant speed offers a reactive defensive option, ready to become a blocker during your opponent’s turn and revert back to an inert state, dodging sorcery-speed removals.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Jade Statue doesn’t require a discard in its own activation, it can be a key consideration in decks that require card presence for synergistic effects. Not having to discard can be less of an advantage in specific build strategies focused on graveyard mechanics or cards like Madness.

Specific Mana Cost: Activating Jade Statue necessitates two generic mana, which isn’t as restrictive as colored requirements. However, it means you need to allocate resources during your turn to utilize its ability, which can impact your flexibility in responding to opponents’ moves.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its initial casting cost is four generic mana, which may be steep for a 3/6 creature that doesn’t immediately affect the board state. In formats where creature efficiency is vital, the Jade Statue’s cost and its need for activation might detract from its utility compared to alternative creatures or artifacts within the same cost range.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Jade Statue stands out with its ability to both be a formidable blocker during your opponent’s turn and an aggressive attacker during yours. Its unique role makes it a versatile choice for decks that need flexible defense options without relying on creature spells.

Combo Potential: Its nature as a creature only during your turn allows for intriguing interactions with cards that animate or enhance noncreature artifacts. Equipping or enchanting Jade Statue can turn it into a substantial threat each time you initiate its transformation.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with targeted removal spells, Jade Statue thrives. By only becoming a creature on your terms, it circumvents many of the common removal spells, ensuring resilience against control strategies that seek to deplete your board presence.


How to beat

Jade Statue stands out in the world of Magic the Gathering as a unique artifact. Players can reactivate it into a formidable creature, though it’s not without its limitations. To effectively counter this card, a good strategy is to focus on its conversion interval. Since the statue can only become a creature during the combat phase, instant speed removal can dismantle the threat before it causes any damage. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize, which dismantle artifacts with precision, come handy here. It’s also worth noting that the Jade Statue’s defense mechanism is only active during your opponent’s turn, which means applying pressure during your own turn can bypass its defenses.

Beyond direct removal, cards like Pacifism prevent the animated statue from attacking or blocking without needing to destroy it. This allows you to neutralize the threat and continue to play your game plan unhindered. Structuring your deck with a balance of creature removal, artifact interaction, and battlefield control will prepare you to face any Jade Statue that comes your way, keeping your path to victory clear.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jade Statue MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Jade Statue and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jade Statue Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2531993NormalBlackDan Frazier
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2541993NormalBlackDan Frazier
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2541993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2541993NormalBlackDan Frazier
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2541993NormalBlackDan Frazier
62005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 300★2003NormalBlackJim Pavelec
72005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 3002003NormalWhiteJim Pavelec
82022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5471997NormalBlackDan Frazier
92022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2502015NormalBlackDan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jade Statue has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 It can only make itself into a creature during combat phases and therefore it is difficult to get Auras placed on it.
2005-08-01 A delayed triggered ability that refers to Jade Statue still affects it even if it’s no longer a creature. For example, if Jade Statue blocks the Kashi-Tribe Warriors (“Whenever Kashi-Tribe Warriors deals combat damage to a creature, tap that creature and it doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.”), the Warriors’ effect stops Jade Statue from untapping.
2005-08-01 If Jade Statue’s ability has been activated, abilities that trigger “at end of combat” will see Jade Statue as an artifact creature.
2008-08-01 A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature.
2013-09-20 If Jade Statue is animated by some other effect, you get an artifact creature with whatever power, toughness, and creature types (if any) are specified by that effect. If you subsequently use Jade Statue’s ability during combat, it will become 3/6 and gain the creature type Golem in addition to those creature types until end of combat.