Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Relic of Legends: Five-Color Spark in an Artifact Frame
In the ever-surprising multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, some cards shine not just for their stats, but for the stories they tell at the table. Relic of Legends, a three-mana artifact from Dominaria United, is one of those sparking conversation starters. Its humble cost hides a playful power: it can produce mana of any color, and it gains a second, legendary-friendly trick when you tap an untapped legendary creature you control. This makes it a favorite for casual games, five-color shuffles, and those legendary-only dream decks where the memes flow as freely as the mana. 🧙🔥💎⚔️
What the card does, in plain enchantment-free terms
The card is an artifact with two practical abilities:
- T: Add one mana of any color. That’s instant access to color-fix and five-color potential from a colorless frame.
- Tap an untapped legendary creature you control: Add one mana of any color. This secondary line turns a single legendary on the battlefield into a small, flexible supercharged engine. The more legendaries you have, the more you laugh when your mana pool suddenly becomes a confetti of colors. 🎨
Made for games in which the color wheel can spin wildly, the relic is colorless by cost and color identity, yet it becomes a beacon for multicolor ambition. The set placement in Dominaria United (DMU) fits neatly with the era-spanning vibe of legendary creatures and artifacts that bridge old histories with new legends. The piece is illustrated by Titus Lunter, whose art tends to pull you into a moment where history and magic collide—perfect for a card that’s all about bridging eras and friendships around the table. 🧭
“If the worst parts of history can repeat themselves, it stands to reason that the best parts can as well.” — Teferi
Why it matters for social play
Social bonding in MTG often happens when players share a smile at unexpected, whimsical outcomes. Relic of Legends nudges you toward those moments. Imagine a game night where someone is under pressure to fix mana colors for a splashy five-color spell, and the table watches as your artifact taps into a legendary commander you control—suddenly everyone’s cheering for a perfect, color-coordinated payoff. The humor isn’t just in the irony of five colored mana showing up from a card that isn’t colored at all; it’s in the shared suspense as players read the board and cheer or groan at the next big swing. 🧙🔥🎲
For formats like Commander, where legendary creatures are plentiful and the table often composes around five colors, Relic of Legends shines as a reliable glue card. It’s not a flashy bomb, but it doesn’t have to be. It gives decks room to breathe, sculpts the mana curve, and invites friendly banter about who controls which legendary and how quickly color fixing becomes a group joke or a triumphant moment.
Strategic angles for table moments
- Mana parity with style: early on, use the first ability to set up your color requirements. The second ability becomes a late-game “color wheel on demand” when you’ve stacked a few legendaries onto the board.
- Legendary synergies: pair it with a deck heavy on legendary creatures—think five-color generals or theme-heavy builds. The more legends you have, the more opportunities to tap for colorless yet colorful mana. 🗡️
- Humor as strategy: the table often remembers the moment when a single artifact enables a dramatic five-color cascade. Use that memory to build a culture of shared jokes and stories about “the color lottery.”
- Budget-friendly uplift: as an uncommon from DMU, it sits in a sweet spot for budget or moderate-statted decks that want reliability without wrecking the wallet. Foil variants exist for collectors who want a bit more shine on the table. 💎
Design, flavor, and the art of anticipation
The flavor text by Teferi sits on the edge of nostalgia and optimism, reminding players that history’s missteps can yield bright, collaborative wins next time around. Titus Lunter’s art adds depth and a hint of mysticism to the relic—a gleaming device wrapped in runes and ages, waiting for a legend to unlock its potential. This is the kind of card that invites a little storytelling at the table: who wields the relic, which legendary creature do you tap, and what color is your plan once you’ve generated that fifth mana? The art and flavor play beautifully with the social angle—magic as memory-making, not just resource management. 🎨🧙♂️
Collectibility, value, and curio-worthy trivia
As an uncommon from Dominaria United, Relic of Legends sits in a comfort zone for players building accessible, fun-focused decks. Current market indicators show modest price points with foil variants adding a touch more bling for collectors. The card’s flexibility and legendary synergy keep it relevant in casual-minded shops and online carts alike. For players chasing thematic connections, the card’s five-color potential makes it a talking piece at your next gather-and-play session. ⚔️
Beyond the table: a cross-promotional wink
Curious about other cool gear as you plan your next game night? While you’re stocking up on legendary shenanigans, you can also explore practical, stylish accessories that fit into any MTG night. For a practical, everyday companion, check out this sleek, ultra-thin Lexan phone case—built to ride along on countless con-goes, store runs, and Friday night streams. (Yes, we’re talking about a little crossover magic: your phone stays as ready as your mana pool.)