Dreadhorde Arcanist: A Banning Explained and Explored

Dreadhorde Arcanist wasn’t actually banned. It’s currently legal in Modern! However, the card was a dominant force upon its release, presenting a considerable threat that warped the Modern metagame. It became a crucial card to interact with early, forcing combo decks to accelerate their strategies or face disruption from fair decks wielding countermagic. Its power level definitely warranted the ban discussion. It remains a potent option for players seeking aggressive, spell-slinging strategies.

The Arcane Enigma: Dreadhorde Arcanist’s Impact

Dreadhorde Arcanist, a seemingly innocuous 1/3 creature for two mana (one black, one red), quickly became a Modern powerhouse. Its ability to cast instants and sorceries from your graveyard for free – provided they have a mana value less than or equal to its power – proved incredibly potent. The card’s design encouraged aggressive gameplay, rewarding players for building low-to-the-ground, spell-heavy decks.

The reasons Dreadhorde Arcanist became so impactful are manifold:

• Efficient Card Advantage: By recurring spells, it generated significant card advantage, allowing players to outpace their opponents in resource acquisition.
• Tempo Advantage: Casting spells for free translated directly into tempo, letting players develop their board state while simultaneously disrupting their opponent’s plans.
• Synergy with Powerful Spells: Modern is replete with powerful, low-cost instants and sorceries like Lightning Bolt, Thoughtseize, and Fatal Push. Dreadhorde Arcanist unlocked the potential to cast these repeatedly, overwhelming opponents.
• Resilience: While a 1/3 body isn’t particularly resilient, it was often enough to survive the initial onslaught, and the threat of its ability made opponents prioritize removing it.
• Metagame Warping: As the article states, Dreadhorde Arcanist presented a huge threat that needed to be answered very early in the game. That meant that combo decks needed to go off by turn two or they would have get blocked by a fair deck’s countermagic.

Dreadhorde Arcanist fueled strategies that quickly became dominant, dictating deckbuilding choices and influencing the overall metagame. Its ability to pressure opponents while simultaneously generating card advantage made it a formidable threat.

Dreadhorde Arcanist: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Dreadhorde Arcanist:

1. Is Dreadhorde Arcanist currently banned in any formats?

No, Dreadhorde Arcanist is not currently banned in any formats. It is legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander.

2. What decks typically play Dreadhorde Arcanist?

Dreadhorde Arcanist is typically found in decks that leverage low-cost instants and sorceries, such as Izzet Tempo, Rakdos Arcanist, and other spell-slinging strategies. Decks utilizing fetch lands to increase its power are also common.

3. What are the best spells to cast with Dreadhorde Arcanist?

The best spells depend on the format and the deck’s strategy, but common choices include Lightning Bolt, Fatal Push, Thoughtseize, Serum Visions, and Brainstorm. Basically, any powerful, cheap spell becomes even more valuable.

4. How do you increase Dreadhorde Arcanist’s power?

There are several ways to increase Dreadhorde Arcanist’s power, including fetch lands (such as Scalding Tarn and Polluted Delta), pump spells (like Mutagenic Growth), and equipment (such as Loxodon Warhammer).

5. What are some good strategies for beating Dreadhorde Arcanist decks?

Strategies for beating Dreadhorde Arcanist decks include early removal, countermagic, graveyard hate, and going over the top with more powerful threats. Cards like Lightning Bolt, Fatal Push, Rest in Peace, and planeswalkers can be effective.

6. Is Dreadhorde Arcanist good in Commander?

Yes, Dreadhorde Arcanist can be a powerful addition to Commander decks, particularly those focused on instants and sorceries. Its ability to recur spells can generate significant value over the course of a longer game.

7. How does Dreadhorde Arcanist interact with split cards?

Dreadhorde Arcanist can cast split cards from your graveyard if the total mana value of the split card is less than or equal to Dreadhorde Arcanist’s power.

8. Does Dreadhorde Arcanist’s ability copy the spell, or does it cast the original?

Dreadhorde Arcanist casts the original spell from your graveyard. The spell is then exiled after it resolves.

9. Can Dreadhorde Arcanist cast spells with X in their mana cost?

Yes, Dreadhorde Arcanist can cast spells with X in their mana cost. You choose the value of X as you cast the spell, but the total mana value must be less than or equal to Dreadhorde Arcanist’s power.

10. How does Dreadhorde Arcanist interact with flashback?

If you cast a spell with Flashback from your graveyard using Dreadhorde Arcanist’s ability, the spell is exiled regardless of whether you pay the flashback cost or not.

11. Can Dreadhorde Arcanist cast spells that target?

Yes, Dreadhorde Arcanist can cast spells that target. You choose the targets as you cast the spell from your graveyard.

12. What is the best way to sideboard against Dreadhorde Arcanist decks?

Good sideboard cards against Dreadhorde Arcanist decks include Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void, Surgical Extraction, and other forms of graveyard hate. Cards that exile the Arcanist directly, such as Prismatic Ending can also be effective.

13. How does Dreadhorde Arcanist compare to other similar cards, such as Snapcaster Mage?

While both Dreadhorde Arcanist and Snapcaster Mage allow you to cast spells from your graveyard, they function differently. Snapcaster Mage grants Flashback to a spell, while Dreadhorde Arcanist directly casts the spell. Dreadhorde Arcanist requires a certain power level to cast spells while Snapcaster Mage will always allow casting any Instant or Sorcery.

14. Has Dreadhorde Arcanist’s price fluctuated much over time?

Yes, Dreadhorde Arcanist’s price has fluctuated depending on its popularity and performance in various formats. It was highest at it’s peak during the Modern Horizons era, and has since declined to a much more affordable price.

15. Where can I learn more about deckbuilding and strategy in Magic: The Gathering?

You can find valuable resources on websites like MTGGoldfish, ChannelFireball, and various community forums. Participating in online discussions and studying professional players’ decklists are also excellent ways to improve your understanding of the game. The GamesLearningSociety.org also offers resources and insights into the educational aspects of gaming, although it doesn’t directly focus on MTG strategy. The Games Learning Society might offer interesting perspectives on strategic thinking applicable to Magic, even if their focus is broader.

Final Thoughts

While Dreadhorde Arcanist wasn’t banned, its impact on the Modern format highlights the delicate balance Wizards of the Coast must maintain when designing new cards. Its potent ability to generate card advantage and tempo, combined with the wealth of powerful low-cost spells in Modern, created a powerful and influential archetype. Understanding the reasons why cards like Dreadhorde Arcanist become dominant – or are perceived as problematic enough to warrant a ban – is crucial for any serious Magic player.