Quick Answer

Arcades, the Strategist is a mythic Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon from M19 (M19) costing {1}{G}{W}{U}. Current price: $3.03 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Arcades, the Strategist MTG card

Arcades, the Strategist

Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon

Card Text

Flying, vigilance Whenever a creature you control with defender enters, draw a card. Each creature you control with defender assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power and can attack as though it didn't have defender.

Card Stats

3/5 mythic CMC: 4.0 M19 M19 🎨 Even Amundsen
Flying Vigilance

What kind of card is this?

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Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$3.03
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$25.81
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$3.49
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$29.99
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€3.75
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€14.81
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Penny Legal
Pioneer Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (4 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arcades, the Strategist? Basics

Arcades, the Strategist is a Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Flying, vigilance Whenever a creature you control with defender enters, draw a card. Each creature you control with defender assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power and can attack as though it didn't have defender."

How much mana does Arcades, the Strategist cost to cast? Basics

Arcades, the Strategist has a mana cost of {1}{G}{W}{U}, which equals 4.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires G, U, W mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Arcades, the Strategist's mana cost of {1}{G}{W}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Arcades, the Strategist has a mana value of 4.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Arcades, the Strategist's current oracle text is: "Flying, vigilance Whenever a creature you control with defender enters, draw a card. Each creature you control with defender assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power and can attack as though it didn't have defender."

What is the current price of Arcades, the Strategist? Pricing

The current market price for Arcades, the Strategist is approximately $3.03 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $25.81 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €3.75 EUR.

Where can I buy Arcades, the Strategist? Pricing

You can purchase Arcades, the Strategist from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Arcades, the Strategist normal: $3.03 | foil: $25.81

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Arcades, the Strategist in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Modern? Legality

Arcades, the Strategist is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Arcades, the Strategist is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Pioneer? Legality

Arcades, the Strategist is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Legacy? Legality

Arcades, the Strategist is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Vintage? Legality

Arcades, the Strategist is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Arcades, the Strategist legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Arcades, the Strategist in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Arcades, the Strategist from? Details

This printing of Arcades, the Strategist is from M19 (M19), with collector number 212.

Arcades, the Strategist may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Arcades, the Strategist's rarity? Details

Arcades, the Strategist is a mythic card in M19.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Arcades, the Strategist? Details

Arcades, the Strategist was illustrated by Even Amundsen.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Arcades, the Strategist's power and toughness? Details

Arcades, the Strategist is a 3/5 creature.

Power (3) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (5) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

💬 Card Discussion

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