11 Best Magic: The Gathering Cards for 2023

Magic: The Gathering cards

$title$ In the realm of competitive card games, Magic: the Gathering (MTG) has reigned supreme for decades. Renowned for its strategic depth and vast array of cards, MTG has captivated countless players worldwide. Among the myriad cards within the MTG universe, a select few stand out as beacons of power and versatility. These exceptional cards have shaped the metagame and left an indelible mark on the annals of MTG history. In this article, we embark on a journey to unravel the secrets of the undisputed heavyweights—the best MTG cards that have consistently proven their worth through the ages.

Commanding the pinnacle of MTG’s power hierarchy is Black Lotus, a legendary artifact whose reputation precedes it. This unassuming card, adorned with a minimalist black lotus blossom, represents the epitome of mana acceleration. With the capacity to generate three mana of any color, Black Lotus grants its wielder an unparalleled early-game advantage. Its extraordinary potency has cemented its status as the most sought-after and valuable card in the entire MTG multiverse. Joining the ranks of MTG’s elite is Mox Sapphire, a blue mana-producing artifact. This unassuming artifact may seem inconspicuous at first glance, but its true power lies in its ability to generate mana without tapping itself. This exceptional attribute allows Mox Sapphire to provide a steady stream of blue mana, fueling powerful spells and enabling game-winning combos. Furthermore, its low casting cost and synergy with other mana-generating cards make it a staple in any blue-based deck.

As we delve deeper into the pantheon of legendary MTG cards, we encounter Tarmogoyf, a deceptively potent green creature. This unassuming 2/2 creature boasts a unique ability that grants it a power and toughness boost equal to the number of creature cards in all graveyards. In the late game, Tarmogoyf can transform into a formidable behemoth, capable of overwhelming opponents with its immense size. Its versatility and synergy with graveyard-based strategies have cemented Tarmogoyf’s status as a cornerstone of green-based decks.

The Power of Dual-Lands

Dual-lands are among the most powerful and iconic cards in Magic: The Gathering. They are lands that can tap for two different basic mana types, making them incredibly versatile in any deck. This versatility is what makes them so valuable, as they allow you to cast spells of any color without having to worry about running out of mana of one type or another.

The original dual-lands were printed in the Alpha and Beta sets, and they have been reprinted in various sets over the years. There are currently ten different dual-lands, each of which can tap for two different colors of mana. The ten dual-lands are:

Name	Colors
Badlands	Black/Red
Bayou	Black/Green
Brushland	White/Black
City of Brass	Red/Green
Forbidden Orchard	White/Black/Green
Garden of Eden	White/Green/Blue
Hallowed Fountain	White/Blue
Scrubland	Red/Green/White
Savannah	Green/White
Taiga	Blue/Green

Dual-lands are essential for any competitive Magic deck, and they can be found in almost every decklist. They are especially important in decks that use multiple colors of mana, as they allow you to cast spells of any color without having to worry about running out of mana of one type or another.

Unstoppable Planeswalkers

Planeswalkers are powerful beings in the Magic: the Gathering universe. They can travel between planes, casting spells and manipulating the environment to their will. Some Planeswalkers are more powerful than others, and a few of them are truly unstoppable.

#2: Teferi, Temporal Archmage

Teferi, Temporal Archmage is a Planeswalker from the plane of Dominaria. He is a master of time magic, and he can use his abilities to control the flow of time itself. Teferi is also a skilled swordsman and tactician. These abilities make him a formidable opponent in battle.

Teferi’s first ability, +2: Take an extra turn after this one, allows him to effectively double his impact on the game. This ability is incredibly powerful, and it can be used to devastating effect. For example, Teferi can use his +2 ability to cast two spells in a single turn, or he can use it to attack twice with his creatures.

Teferi’s second ability, -3: Return target creature to its owner’s hand, is also very powerful. This ability can be used to remove a dangerous creature from the battlefield, or it can be used to protect Teferi from an attacker.

Teferi’s third ability, -8: You get an emblem with “Whenever you cast a spell, exile target permanent.” This ability is incredibly powerful, as it allows Teferi to permanently remove any permanent from the battlefield.

Overall, Teferi, Temporal Archmage is one of the most powerful Planeswalkers in Magic: the Gathering. He is a versatile threat that can win games in a variety of ways.

Name	CMC	Type	Abilities
Teferi, Temporal Archmage	5UU	Planeswalker – Teferi	+2: Take an extra turn after this one. -3: Return target creature to its owner’s hand. -8: You get an emblem with “Whenever you cast a spell, exile target permanent.”

Dominating Creatures

MTG features an array of formidable creatures that dominate the battlefield, wielding immense power and abilities.

1. Avacyn, Angel of Hope

A legendary angel, Avacyn stands as a beacon of hope. Her abilities, including flying, vigilance, and the power to grant indestructible to friendly creatures, make her an unstoppable force.

2. Nicol Bolas, the Ravager

The cunning and manipulative Nicol Bolas, a master deceiver and powerful planeswalker, commands a vast army of dragons. His ability to control minds and manipulate the game adds to his dominance.

3. Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

Emrakul, a colossal cosmic entity, descends upon the battlefield with devastating abilities. With a power and toughness of 15/15, flying, protection from all colors, and the capacity to cast spells from exile, she overwhelms opponents with unparalleled strength.

Creature	Power/Toughness	Abilities
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn	15/15	Flying Protection from all colors Can cast spells from exile

Essential Artifact Interactions

Artifacts play a crucial role in the world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), providing various benefits and strategies. Understanding how artifacts interact with other cards is essential for maximizing their potential.

Counters and Removal

Artifacts can be countered by cards like [[Counterspell]] or [[Negate]]. Once on the battlefield, they can be targeted by removal spells such as [[Naturalize]] or [[Artifact Destruction]].

Equips and Auras

Certain artifacts, known as “equips,” can be attached to creatures, enhancing their abilities. Auras, on the other hand, are enchantments that also attach to creatures or artifacts, granting additional effects.

Sacrifices

Artifacts can be sacrificed to activate abilities or pay costs. Cards like [[Birthing Pod]] or [[Goblin Welder]] allow you to sacrifice artifacts to generate value or remove them from the battlefield.

Selective Removal

Some cards can selectively target and remove artifacts, such as:

Card Name	Effect
[[Leonin Relic-Warder]]	Exiles all artifact creatures
[[Stony Silence]]	All noncreature artifacts lose abilities
[[Shattering Storm]]	Destroys all artifacts with converted mana cost 3 or less

Game-Changing Enchantments

Enchantment cards in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) offer a wide range of abilities that can drastically alter the game. Here are a few top-notch enchantments that have earned their reputation as game-changers:

Omniscience

Omniscience grants you the ability to cast spells from your hand without paying their mana costs. This enchantment can turn the tide of battle in your favor by allowing you to unleash a barrage of powerful spells early on.

Enchantress’s Presence

Enchantress’s Presence enhances your enchantments, giving you a mana boost for each enchantment you control. This enchantment provides excellent value and can help you dominate the battlefield with an army of enchantments.

Sylvan Library

Sylvan Library gives you access to a potent draw engine. When you draw a card, you can discard two cards to draw two more. This enchantment keeps your hand stocked and allows you to cycle through your deck efficiently.

Necropotence

Necropotence offers an incredible card advantage. You can discard three cards to draw three, but you lose 1 life for each card you discard. This enchantment is a risky but rewarding choice that can give you a significant edge in the late game.

Smothering Tithe

Smothering Tithe punishes your opponents for casting noncreature spells. Whenever they cast a noncreature spell, you gain 2 life and create a 2/2 white zombie creature token. This enchantment is a formidable deterrent against control decks and provides a steady stream of life and creatures.

Note: These are just a few examples of the many game-changing enchantments available in MTG. The specific enchantments you choose will depend on your deck’s strategy and playstyle.

Enchantment	Effect
Omniscience	Cast spells without paying mana costs
Enchantress’s Presence	Mana boost for each enchantment
Sylvan Library	Potent draw engine
Necropotence	Card advantage at the cost of life
Smothering Tithe	Punish opponents for casting noncreature spells

Sorceries and Instants for Maximum Impact

Counterspells

Counterspells are a class of instants that counter or negate the effects of other spells. These are extremely powerful cards that can effectively shut down an opponent’s strategy.

Removals

Removals are cards that remove a target from the game, such as creatures, planeswalkers, or enchantments. These cards are invaluable for removing threats or disrupting an opponent’s board state.

Draw Power

Draw power cards provide the player with additional cards, which can lead to more powerful plays or simply help smooth out imbalances in the deck.

Board Wipes

Board wipes are spells that destroy or remove multiple permanents from the game, often in the form of creatures or enchantments. These cards can have a devastating impact on an opponent’s board state.

Tutors

Tutors are spells that search the deck for a specific card and bring it to the hand. These cards are very useful for consistency, as they can help locate key cards in the deck at critical moments.

Protection

Protection spells offer protection to specific cards, players, or creatures from various sources or effects. These cards can help preserve valuable resources or disrupt opponents’ plays.

Underestimated Gems

Magic: the Gathering’s vast card pool is home to countless hidden gems. These undervalued cards often offer surprising power and versatility, waiting to be unearthed and unleashed upon unsuspecting opponents.

1. [[Fleeting Distraction]]

This unassuming sorcery acts as a flexible counterspell, capable of neutralizing Planeswalkers, noncreature permanents, or spells. Its cheap cost and low mana value make it an efficient disruption tool.

2. [[Jhoira’s Timebug]]

A deceptive artifact creature, Jhoira’s Timebug grants access to crucial time manipulation effects. It synergizes with cards that manipulate graveyard, allowing for efficient recursion and tempo swings.

3. [[Thallid Soothsayer]]

Despite its humble appearance, Thallid Soothsayer offers a significant advantage in multiplayer and tokens-based strategies. By sacrificing Saproling tokens, it draws cards, fueling your hand and disrupting opponents’ game plans.

4. [[Unclaimed Territory]]

This land card subtly contributes to aggressive and midrange decks. It enters the battlefield untapped, providing mana acceleration, and its ability to sacrifice itself for a land fetch adds utility and resilience.

5. [[Venser, the Sojourner]]

A versatile Planeswalker, Venser, the Sojourner controls the board with its instant-speed bounce ability and ultimate that can steal an opponent’s permanent. Its low mana cost makes it a potent threat in limited and constructed formats.

6. [[Windbrisk Heights]]

This double-faced land enters the battlefield as either a Plains or an Island, providing flexibility in mana bases. Its other side, “Cloudform”, acts as an evasive flyer that can surprise opponents in combat.

7. [[Prismatic Vista]]

A crucial land card for multicolor decks, Prismatic Vista showcases its power in Commander and casual formats. It fetches any basic land type, enabling reliable mana fixing and maximizing the consistency of your land drops.

Archetype	Color	CMC	Effect
Aggro	Red	2	[[Fury of the Horde]]
Control	Blue	3	[[Counterspell]]
Midrange	Green	4	[[Heroic Intervention]]

Cards that Define the Meta

#8: The Meathook Massacre

The Meathook Massacre is a card that instantly wipes out any creature with toughness 2 or less. This makes it an incredibly powerful tool against wide boards, such as those created by decks like Elves or Goblins. It can also be used to great effect against planeswalkers, as it can kill them without needing to deal combat damage.
Against aggro decks, The Meathook Massacre can help to stabilize the board and prevent the opponent from overwhelming you. However, it is important to note that it does not affect creatures with toughness 3 or greater. This means that it is not always a complete solution against all aggro strategies.
Despite this limitation, The Meathook Massacre is still a very powerful card that can have a major impact on the game. It is a staple in many black decks, and it is sure to continue to be a force to be reckoned with in Modern for years to come.

Format	Copies Played
Modern	10
Legacy	4
Pioneer	4

Synergy and Combo Masters

Masterful Synergy

Synergy cards excel at collaborating with other cards to create potent effects. Prime examples include:

Dockside Extortionist: Generates mana upon entering the battlefield for every artifact and creature your opponents control.
Smothering Tithe: Punishes opponents for casting spells, providing additional mana or drawing cards for you.
Esper Sentinel: A vigilant creature that draws a card whenever it becomes the target of a spell or ability.

Combo Champions

Combo cards synergize to create devastating outcomes, often winning games in a single turn. Notable combos include:

Thassa’s Oracle + Demonic Consultation: A two-card combo that allows you to draw your entire library and win via laboratory maniac or Jace, Wielder of Mysteries.
Splinter Twin + Deceiver Exarch: Creates infinite tokens that can overwhelm opponents.
Vial Smasher the Fierce + Thrasios, Triton Hero: An infinite combo that generates infinite mana and draws your entire library.

Subsection 9: The Devastating Power of Underworld Breach

	Underworld Breach
CMC	4
Type	Sorcery
Effect	Exile a card from your graveyard. If it is a sorcery or instant with mana value 3 or less, copy it and you may cast the copy without paying its mana cost.

This game-ending card allows you to cast multiple free spells, potentially generating infinite mana or drawing your entire library. It can be combined with cards like LED (Lion’s Eye Diamond) and Wheel of Fortune to create explosive combos.

Timeless Classics

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering, certain cards transcend the boundaries of time, earning their place among the game’s most iconic and influential creations.

1. Black Lotus

The undisputed king of Magic cards, Black Lotus is a foundational artifact that grants three mana of any color. Its unparalleled power and game-breaking potential have made it one of the most sought-after and expensive cards in the game’s history.

2. Ancestral Recall

Ancestral Recall is a game-changing blue sorcery that allows a player to draw three cards for just one mana. Its incredible efficiency and card selection power have made it a staple in many competitive decks throughout the game’s history.

3. Lightning Bolt

Lightning Bolt is a versatile red instant that deals three damage to any target. Its simplicity and reliability have made it a ubiquitous card in every format, from Constructed to Limited.

4. Counterspell

Counterspell is a blue instant that simply counters target spell. Its ability to neutralize threats effectively has solidified its status as one of the most powerful and frustrating cards in the game.

5. Duress

Duress is a black instant that reveals and exiles a target opponent’s card from their hand. Its hand disruption potential has made it a staple in aggressive black decks, allowing players to disrupt their opponent’s plans.

6. Swords to Plowshares

Swords to Plowshares is a white instant that exiles target creature, then creates a 2/2 white Knight creature token. Its versatility and efficiency make it a powerful removal spell and a staple in white-based control decks.

7. Force of Will

Force of Will is a blue instant that allows a player to counter target spell by paying its mana cost plus one blue mana. Its proactive protection against threats has made it a formidable force in blue-based control decks.

8. Tarmogoyf

Tarmogoyf is a green creature whose power and toughness are equal to the number of card types in your graveyard. Its ability to grow into a formidable threat has made it a staple in many midrange and aggressive green decks.

9. Thoughtseize

Thoughtseize is a black instant that allows a player to search an opponent’s hand for a nonland card and force them to discard it. Its hand disruption and tempo advantage potential have made it a dominant force in black-based decks.

10. Modern Horizons 2 Fetch Lands

The Fetch Lands from Modern Horizons 2 are a set of ten dual lands that allow a player to fetch any two basic lands when they enter the battlefield. Their combination of speed and card selection power has made them some of the most played lands in competitive Magic, enabling powerful mana bases and consistency.

Fetch Land
Arid Mesa
Bloodstained Mire
Flooded Strand
Marsh Flats
Misty Rainforest
Polluted Delta
Scalding Tarn
Scrubland
Stomping Ground
Wooded Foothills

Best Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Cards

Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a highly strategic and complex trading card game renowned for its vast and diverse card pool. With over 20,000 unique cards in existence, selecting the “best” cards is subjective and dependent on various factors such as format, deck archetype, and individual playstyle. However, certain cards stand out due to their exceptional abilities, versatility, and historical impact on the game.

Dual Lands

Fetch Lands

Fetch lands are a type of dual land that allows players to search their library for any land type and put it onto the battlefield tapped. They provide consistent mana fixing and enable powerful combos with other cards that care about land types. Examples include Arid Mesa, Scalding Tarn, and Misty Rainforest.

Shock Lands

Shock lands enter the battlefield tapped unless a player pays 2 life. They provide access to two different mana colors and can be played in early turns without sacrificing tempo. Some popular shock lands include Blood Crypt, Stomping Ground, and Godless Shrine.

Planeswalkers

Jace, the Mind Sculptor

Jace, the Mind Sculptor is considered one of the most powerful planeswalkers ever printed. Its ability to filter cards, bounce permanents, and create tokens makes it a versatile threat that can both control the game and win it. Jace has seen immense play in various formats, including Legacy, Modern, and Vintage.

Teferi, Hero of Dominaria

Teferi, Hero of Dominaria is a powerful control planeswalker that can prevent counterspells, untap lands, and draw cards. Its static ability that prevents opponents from casting non-creature spells during their turn makes it a potent lock piece in control decks. Teferi has been a staple in formats like Modern and Commander.

Creatures

Tarmogoyf

Tarmogoyf is a formidable creature that scales in power based on the number of card types in graveyards. Its ability to grow large quickly makes it a threat in many formats, particularly Legacy and Modern. Tarmogoyf rewards graveyard-based strategies and forces opponents to manage their resources carefully.

Wrenn and Six

Wrenn and Six is a versatile planeswalker that can create tokens, sacrifice lands for value, and draw cards. Its ability to quickly generate an army of tokens makes it an excellent choice for midrange and control decks. Wrenn and Six has seen widespread play in Modern, Legacy, and Commander.