Xira Arien MTG Card


Xira Arien enables consistent card advantage, drawing you extra cards every turn for sustained upper hand. Her ability comes with a discard requisite, which can strain your hand and strategic plays. Xira’s specific mana requirements may challenge the fluidity of deck builds and strategies.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Insect Wizard
Abilities Flying
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying o Go Ro Boc T: Target player draws one card.

A regular guest at the Royal Masquerade, Arien is the envy of the Court. She appears in a new costume every hour.


Cards like Xira Arien

Xira Arien stands out as a unique card in the domain of Magic: The Gathering deck commanders. With the ability to draw a card for a small mana fee, it shares similarities with Arvad the Cursed in the aspect of being a legendary creature that influences gameplay beyond just power and toughness. However, Xira brings the advantage of card draw to the table, setting her apart from Arvad’s focus on boosting other legendary creatures.

Comparably, Edric, Spymaster of Trest echoes Xira Arien’s card advantage tactic. Edric may not directly draw cards for mana but rewards players for dealing combat damage to opponents. This can lead to multiple cards drawn per turn which can be significantly more than Xira’s single card strategy but requires a wider board presence.

Lastly, Tymna the Weaver offers a parallel in card drawing abilities, by allowing you to pay life and draw cards after attacking with creatures, a resource trade-off that can be advantageous in aggressive decks. While Xira Arien provides a steady card advantage to players seeking a more controlled and predictable strategy, the versatility and conditions of Tymna’s ability cater to a different style of play.

Selecting the right card among these options can deeply impact game dynamics. Xira Arien carves a niche for those who appreciate a steady, incremental advantage in the drawn-out battles of Magic: The Gathering.

Arvad the Cursed - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions
Tymna the Weaver - MTG Card versions
Arvad the Cursed - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions
Tymna the Weaver - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Xira Arien by color, type and mana cost

Adun Oakenshield - MTG Card versions
Caldera Kavu - MTG Card versions
Thunderscape Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Sprouting Thrinax - MTG Card versions
Jund Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Scarland Thrinax - MTG Card versions
Jund Sojourners - MTG Card versions
Gyrus, Waker of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Crew Captain - MTG Card versions
Henzie "Toolbox" Torre - MTG Card versions
Effluence Devourer - MTG Card versions
Slimefoot and Squee - MTG Card versions
Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Adun Oakenshield - MTG Card versions
Caldera Kavu - MTG Card versions
Thunderscape Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Sprouting Thrinax - MTG Card versions
Jund Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Scarland Thrinax - MTG Card versions
Jund Sojourners - MTG Card versions
Gyrus, Waker of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Crew Captain - MTG Card versions
Henzie "Toolbox" Torre - MTG Card versions
Effluence Devourer - MTG Card versions
Slimefoot and Squee - MTG Card versions
Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Xira Arien is an intriguing commander that serves as a card draw engine, granting you access to an additional card during each of your turns for consistent advantage over your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Providing command of all your colors, this legendary creature can aid in resource acceleration when paired with cards that synergize with insect or spellcaster types, paving the way for a swift and effective mana ramp.

Instant Speed: Xira Arien’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to pull a new card at the end of an opponent’s turn or in response to game-altering spells, preserving your tempo and strategic options.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players wielding Xira Arien, keep in mind this MTG card’s ability is hinged on a discard requirement to activate. This can particularly be troubling if you’re facing a hand shortage or hoping to maintain a strategic grip on your resources.

Specific Mana Cost: She demands a particular blend of mana—both black and red—mixed with green. This could hamper your deck’s flexibility or slow you down if your mana base isn’t fully optimized to support these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Tapping out three mana energies, inclusive of a diverse trio of colors, can prove costly. When you survey the playing field, there might be alternatives that provide similar or enhanced benefits at a reduced cost or with a simpler color requirement, ensuring smoother gameplay and resource management.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Xira Arien serves as a flexible component in decks seeking a consistent draw engine. Her ability to grant card draw at the end of an opponent’s turn can be integrated into a multitude of strategies, from commander games to combo setups, ensuring that your hand never runs dry.

Combo Potential: With a tap ability that draws cards, Xira Arien pairs well with numerous combos and synergies. Link her with cards that untap creatures or with effects that capitalize on the drawing of additional cards to unlock powerful interactions and overwhelm your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Given her unique colors—black, red, and green—Xira Arien is a competitive choice in metas where versatility and off-turn interactions are key. Her capacity to function as both a commander and a complimentary piece in a 99-card deck underlines her relevance across various formats and styles of play.


How to beat

Xira Arien presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, combining the utility of an insect commander with the ability to draw a card. This feature aligns her with other card-drawing creatures in Magic: The Gathering that offer players a steady stream of resources. Her flying ability grants a certain evasion, while her card-drawing potential is a consistent engine each turn for the cost of one mana of any color.

Navigating around the versatility of Xira Arien involves disrupting the consistency with which your opponent can benefit from her ability. The incorporation of targeted removal spells that can bypass her flying, such as Murder or Doom Blade, are efficient ways to remove her from play. Additionally, employing card-drawing hate, like Narset, Parter of Veils or Notion Thief can nullify the advantage your opponent gains and potentially turn the tables in your favor.

In essence, overcoming the obstacle posed by Xira Arien in MTG involves a strategy that includes both removal and disruption. By anticipating her arrival and planning accordingly, you can mitigate the impact she has on the game, ensuring that her presence doesn’t give your opponent the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deeper into the nuanced world of MTG strategy, Xira Arien emerges as a fascinating card for any collector or player. Robust in utility, she offers steady card advantage and resource acceleration, critical for sustaining dominance. Whether optimizing your commander deck or infiltrating an opponent’s strategy with a well-timed draw, Xira Arien can be a game-changer. Ready to exploit her instant-speed draws and combo potential fully? Continue your journey to mastery with us. We’re here to provide insights, strategies, and a community of like-minded enthusiasts eager to discuss the endless possibilities she brings to your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Xira Arien MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Xira Arien and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Xira Arien Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 2701993NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
21995-07-01ChroniclesCHR 901993NormalWhiteMelissa A. Benson
32009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 1871997NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
42010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A1101997NormalBlackMelissa A. Benson
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3731997NormalBlackSimon Dominic
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2052015NormalBlackSimon Dominic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Xira Arien has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal