Unstable Obelisk MTG Card


Unstable Obelisk provides dual functionality – mana ramping and universal removal – optimizing deck versatility. It demands significant mana to activate its removal ability, impacting its playability in various scenarios. In the right MTG deck, the obelisk can become the linchpin of strategy, balancing resource flow and control.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool. , , Sacrifice Unstable Obelisk: Destroy target permanent.

Its collapse is like the lashing out of a long-dead civilization that resents being forgotten.


Cards like Unstable Obelisk

Unstable Obelisk serves as a versatile utility in the manifold world of Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Mind Stone, which shares the ability to tap for mana. However, Mind Stone permits players to draw a card by sacrificing it, as opposed to Unstable Obelisk’s unique feature of destroying any target permanent at a higher converted mana cost. The distinction is significant, granting players a potent late-game option.

Comparably, Hedron Archive also taps for mana and can be sacrificed for card advantage, offering a greater mana boost but at a steeper mana investment. The versatility of Unstable Obelisk, therefore, positions it as a valuable middle ground between these two. Additionally, there’s Spine of Ish Sah, a card with a heftier initial cost but with the formidable capacity to remove permanent, and like Unstable Obelisk, it isn’t color-restricted, making it advantageous in any deck.

Overall, Unstable Obelisk stands out in decks that crave both mana ramp and non-discriminatory permanent removal. This duality is what lends this artifact its strength, especially within game formats that afford the time to leverage both of its functionalities.

Mind Stone - MTG Card versions
Hedron Archive - MTG Card versions
Spine of Ish Sah - MTG Card versions
Mind Stone - MTG Card versions
Hedron Archive - MTG Card versions
Spine of Ish Sah - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Unstable Obelisk by color, type and mana cost

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Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Gem of Becoming - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Gem of Becoming - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unstable Obelisk offers a unique advantage by eventually enabling you to remove any troublesome permanent. Its ability to convert into a draw spell by destroying a target permanent ensures that you maintain card utility deep into the game.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana rock, this versatile artifact provides an additional mana each turn, helping you to ramp up your resources quickly. This acceleration can be crucial for deploying more significant threats ahead of schedule or for executing pivotal spells with substantial mana costs.

Instant Speed: The power to demolish any permanent is not limited to your own turn. With Unstable Obelisk, you can wait until the most opportune moment, up to and including during your opponent’s turn, to activate its removal ability, providing strategic flexibility and unexpected control.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unstable Obelisk mandates a resource sacrifice, asking players to discard it to exercise its second ability. This action requires careful strategizing, as players need to determine the value of removing a permanent over retaining a mana source on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: Even though Unstable Obelisk provides colorless mana, activating its removal ability requires a considerable mana investment. This locks you into having at least seven mana available, which can be restrictive in fast-paced games or mana-tight situations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For decks that prioritize speed or have other means of dealing with threats, the seven-mana activation cost of Unstable Obelisk’s secondary ability might be excessive. There are other cards with lower activation thresholds for permanent removal, making the obelisk a less attractive option for streamlined strategies.


Reasons to Include Unstable Obelisk in Your Collection

Versatility: The Unstable Obelisk serves dual purposes, providing both mana acceleration and a way to interact with troublesome permanents. It is a valuable asset in decks that require a ramp to bigger threats or need a spare removal option.

Combo Potential: With its ability to destroy any permanent, Unstable Obelisk can be cunningly combined with cards that take advantage of artifacts being sacrificed, such as those stimulating graveyard strategies or enabling recursion tactics.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting landscape of the competitive environment, having a flexible card like Unstable Obelisk can help players adapt to various opponents by fulfilling the essential roles of both ramp and removal in one card slot.


How to beat

Unstable Obelisk is a versatile mana artifact in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to tap for colorless mana makes it a staple in decks that struggle with mana fixing, especially in Commander format. But what sets it apart is its destruction ability. By investing seven mana and sacrificing the Obelisk, you can take out any permanent, a flexibility that can catch opponents off guard.

To counter the threat of Unstable Obelisk, consider strategies that target artifacts specifically. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Shatterstorm can remove the Obelisk before the owner accumulates enough mana to utilize its full potential. Efficient artifact removal plays a critical role in curbing its power. Alternatively, instant-speed responses such as Counterspell or Negate come in handy the moment an opponent attempts to activate the Obelisk’s secondary ability.

Overall, it’s important to keep a sharp eye on the mana availability of opponents who have Unstable Obelisk on the field. By staying prepared with removal or counter magic, you can neutralize this powerful colorless tool before it dismantles your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’ve appreciated the deep dive into Unstable Obelisk, its strengths, and its place within the MTG realm, we’re eager to guide you further. Mastering your deck’s synergies and understanding its dynamics is just the beginning. The journey continues as you refine your collection and tailor your strategy to conquer the board. We invite you to learn more with us, unraveling the layers of gameplay to ensure your deck not only competes but dominates. Let’s embark on this quest together to optimize your arsenal and clinch those decisive victories. Delve deeper into MTG wisdom with us, and harness the full potential of your cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Unstable Obelisk MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014 and Commander 2017, 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 Unstable Obelisk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Unstable Obelisk Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2014-11-07 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-11-07Commander 2014C14 582015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 2292015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
32018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2272015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
42018-08-09Commander 2018C18 2272015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
52020-07-17JumpstartJMP 4892015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
62021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2722015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
72021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 2202015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
82021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1702015NormalBlackWilliam Wu
92022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 2602015NormalBlackJohannes Mücke
102022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 260★2015NormalBlackJohannes Mücke
112023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4162015NormalBlackWilliam Wu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Unstable Obelisk has restrictions

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