Mantle of the Ancients MTG Card


Generates card advantage by mass resurrecting Auras and Equipment, tipping the scales overwhelmingly. Acts as a resource accelerator, saving mana and fortifying creatures without additional cost. Demands thoughtful graveyard management and specific mana for optimal utilization.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Text of card

Enchant creature you control When Mantle of the Ancients enters the battlefield, return any number of target Aura and/or Equipment cards from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to enchanted creature. Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 for each Aura and Equipment attached to it.


Cards like Mantle of the Ancients

Mantle of the Ancients is a unique piece in the puzzle of enchantment-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering. This card delights those who seek to reclaim and harness the power of enchantments previously lost to the graveyard. Drawing a parallel, we can observe similarities with Crystal Chimes, an artifact that also targets a return of enchantments from the graveyard to your hand, though without the ability to attach directly to a creature like Mantle of the Ancients does.

When looking at alternatives, Retether stands out with its potential to return multiple Auras from the graveyard to play. Despite this similarity, Mantle of the Ancients differs as it allows for enchantments to be put into play attached to a single creature, empowering it significantly. Open the Vaults is another card that echoes the return of enchantments and artifacts from the graveyard; however, it impacts both players, unlike Mantle of the Ancients which exclusively benefits the controller.

Consequently, weighing the capabilities of Mantle of the Ancients against these counterparts shows its strength in decks that capitalize on Auras or enchantments, offering a targeted and powerful boon to a pivotal creature on the battlefield. Its tailored resurrection of enchantments makes it a strong contender for decks built around such synergies.

Crystal Chimes - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Open the Vaults - MTG Card versions
Crystal Chimes - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Open the Vaults - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mantle of the Ancients by color, type and mana cost

Safeguard - MTG Card versions
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Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
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Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions
Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Angelic Chorus - MTG Card versions
Noble Purpose - MTG Card versions
Noble Stand - MTG Card versions
Rabble Rousing - MTG Card versions
Righteous Cause - MTG Card versions
Lucent Liminid - MTG Card versions
Boon Reflection - MTG Card versions
Mammoth Umbra - MTG Card versions
Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions
Debtor's Pulpit - MTG Card versions
Celestial Archon - MTG Card versions
Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
Dictate of Heliod - MTG Card versions
Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Near-Death Experience - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipped with the ability to return all Aura and Equipment cards from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to the creature of your choice, Mantle of the Ancients gives you an immense edge by reclaiming valuable cards that were lost during the course of the game. Not only does this bolster your field presence, but it also swings the momentum heavily in your favor by bringing back multiple resources with a single spell.

Resource Acceleration: When you play Mantle of the Ancients, you effectively accelerate your resource pool. By reviving your past equipment and auras, you’re immediately enhancing the power of your creatures without expending additional mana resources on those turns. This can lead to a dramatic shift in the board state, potentially saving mana for instant responses or further development of your battlefield.

Instant Speed: Although Mantle of the Ancients is not an instant itself, the innate enhancement it bestows upon your creatures can be akin to having an instant effect. The immediate and possibly game-changing upgrade to a creature’s abilities allows you to potentially surprise your opponent and disrupt their strategies, almost as if you’ve cast an impactful spell at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mantle of the Ancients doesn’t require a discard upon casting, but it does necessitate having a creature card in the graveyard to fully utilize its potential. In games where your graveyard is sparse, Mantle may not be as effective.

Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost of this enchantment includes two white mana, potentially restricting its integration into multi-colored decks, or decks that aren’t heavily invested in white mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two white, Mantle of the Ancients can be considered a significant investment. This can be especially challenging in faster-paced matches where lower-costed spells may allow for a quicker development of the game board.


Reasons to Include Mantle of the Ancients in Your Collection

Versatility: Mantle of the Ancients can be a game-changer in decks that revolve around enchantments. As a powerful aura, it not only offers protection by returning enchantments from your graveyard to the battlefield but also boosts your creature splendidly.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects or when paired with enchantments that provide recurring benefits. The ability to reanimate multiple enchantments can turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where enchantments play a significant role, Mantle of the Ancients provides resilience against removal and enhances the long-term value of your enchantment-based strategies. It adapts well to both aggressive and control archetypes, making it a versatile pick for many decks.


How to Beat Mantle of the Ancients

Mantle of the Ancients can be a game-changing card, empowering creatures with a set of previously destroyed enchantments. To dismantle this strategy, it’s essential to manage the board state efficiently. Strategies include keeping enchantment removal spells handy or employing counterspells to prevent Mantle from resolving. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize are classic answers, efficiently trading with Mantle at a lower mana cost.

Another approach involves proactively limiting the number of enchantments that hit the graveyard. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can preemptively negate the benefits Mantle provides, disrupting your opponent’s setup. It’s also beneficial to control the timing of your removal, possibly saving it for when your opponent invests in casting Mantle of the Ancients, setting them back significantly in terms of resources and tempo.

Ultimately, understanding the decks that most likely include Mantle and preparing your strategy accordingly can shift the tide in your favor. Keeping a versatile set of answers in your deck enhances your readiness to face enchantment-heavy opponents and maintain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering your MTG deck is a fine art, especially when powerful cards like Mantle of the Ancients come into play. From redefining board states to crafting savvy mana strategies, this enchantment has the potential to turn the tides in your favor. If you’re looking to optimize your deck’s performance or are curious to learn more about the synergies and strategies that Mantle of the Ancients can unlock, you’re in the right place. Delve deeper into building and refining your deck—where every card choice is pivotal to claiming victory. Embark on this journey with us and discover how to harness the full potential of your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mantle of the Ancients MTG card by a specific set like Forgotten Realms Commander and Forgotten Realms Commander, 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 Mantle of the Ancients and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mantle of the Ancients Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 82015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
22021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 2772015NormalBlackDenman Rooke
32023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 702015NormalBlackLucas Graciano
42024-03-08FalloutPIP 4522015NormalBlackIgor Krstic
52024-03-08FalloutPIP 6932015NormalBlackIgor Krstic
62024-03-08FalloutPIP 9802015NormalBlackIgor Krstic
72024-03-08FalloutPIP 1652015NormalBlackIgor Krstic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mantle of the Ancients has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-07-23 As the enters-the-battlefield ability is resolving, any targets that couldn't be legally attached to the creature enchanted by Mantle of the Ancients stay in your graveyard.
2021-07-23 If Mantle of the Ancients becomes attached to a different creature in response to its enters-the-battlefield ability, the creature it's attached to as that ability is resolving is the "enchanted creature," even though you used the original enchanted creature to choose targets. This means some of those targets may become illegal.
2021-07-23 If Mantle of the Ancients leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, the last permanent it was attached to before leaving the battlefield is the "enchanted creature" (even if that permanent is no longer a creature).
2021-07-23 Mantle of the Ancients has received an update to its Oracle text. The official text is listed above. Specifically, you may only choose Aura and Equipment cards in your graveyard that could be legally attached to the creature enchanted by Mantle of the Ancients.