Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Relic of Sauron: Tolkien-Inspired Myths in MTG Artifacts
Some MTG cards arrive with a whisper of legend before you even resolve a land. Relic of Sauron does more than hum with mana; it hums with echoes of myth, a deliberate nod to the world-building that Tolkien fans adore. This artifact, printed in the Tales of Middle-earth Commander set (LT C) as a rare, lands its power in a tri-color coin toss: blue for knowledge, black for ambition and shadow, and red for raw will. Its simple frame—{4} to cast, tap to generate two mana of any combination of {U}, {B}, and {R}—belongs to a lineage of artifacts that mirror ancient relics in myth: things that grant sight, sway fate, or tilt the balance of power. In the MTG multiverse, the relic becomes a lens through which we can view how real-world myths seep into the game we love. 🧙♂️🔥💎
Mythic DNA: the tri-color motif as a nod to legendary artifacts
In many myths, power is not a singular thing but a convergence. The ability of Relic of Sauron to produce two mana in any combination of blue, black, and red embodies that convergence: knowledge (blue), cunning and corruption (black), and incorrigible drive (red). This triad of colors is a frequent mirror to how storytellers conceive god-kings, tricksters, and tyrants who seek to bind the world to their will. The card’s production of B/R/U mana is a tactile reminder that the One Ring’s influence in Tolkien’s universe isn’t purely strength or wisdom—it’s harmonized control, the ability to bend lore to the wielder’s designs. The flavor text of the set—“While the power of Sauron grew, light and living things forsook his borders.”—snaps this idea into a chilling, lore-forward moment. It’s a reminder that relics can be seductive, dangerous, and narratively central all at once. 🎨⚔️
“While the power of Sauron grew, light and living things forsook his borders.”
When you read that line alongside the card’s second ability—{3}, {T}: Draw two cards, then discard a card—you feel the artifact’s moral weight in the mechanical pulse of your deck. Card draw is the currency of power in many formats, but here the cost is deliberate: you’re not just filling your hand; you’re paying attention to what you keep, what you cast aside, and how you race toward a destiny that may be ruinous or glorious. The mana ramp plus card selection mirrors the dual edges of mythic artifacts seen in many epics: they grant you access to bigger schemes, but every choice carries consequence. In a commander setting, the relic can be a cornerstone for tactics that lean into wheel effects, reanimator themes, or multi-colored ramp strategies—where you want to unlock the full potential of your U/B/R suite. 🧙♂️🎲
Gameplay and strategy: weaving myth into table-wide tactics
- Ramp with restraint: The mana ability is flexible but deliberate. You can fuel ambitions in a three-color identity without relying on a fixed color base. This is ideal for a commander who wants to cast into three-color playgroups or who wants a “mana engine” that doesn’t lean on mana rocks alone.
- Card selection with a cost: The draw-two-and-discard-a-card line invites careful hand sculpting. It’s a built-in filter; you can curate your destiny while discarding what doesn’t fit your plan. If you lean into synergies that reward drawing, you’ll appreciate how this relic accelerates or punishes in equal measure.
- Commander-legal, legacy-ready in the right shells: This artifact is legal in Commander and other formats that welcome universal color identity tinkering. Its color identity of B/R/U invites decks that want to dabble in a telegraphed risk-and-reward dynamic, with ongoing potential for political play at the table. 🔥
Lore, art, and the real-world mythic collage
Anton Solovianchyk’s illustration anchors the card in a moment of decadent power. The piece leans into a visual language familiar to fans of epic fantasy: runic sigils, a glow of multicolored energy, and a relic that suggests ancient laboratories and secret forges where power was molten into form. In the larger history of MTG’s art direction, Relic of Sauron sits alongside other Universes Beyond–type releases that braid recognizable literary myth with card-play practicality. It’s a celebration of how a single artifact can become a doorway to discussions about ring-lore, the temptation of power, and the price of knowledge. If you’re a player who adores lore, you’ll savor the way the flavor text and the card’s mechanics riff on some of the most enduring myths from the Western canon. 🔥🎨
Relic of Sauron stands at the crossroads of myth and mechanic: a tangible reminder that power, if left unchecked, rewrites borders and fates.
Collector value, market pulse, and what it means for your shelf
In the market, Relic of Sauron sits as a rare from a unique set, with a current price in the neighborhood of USD 6.71 (non-foil) and similar values in euros. Its edhrec rank sits around the 1700s, indicating it’s recognized as a competent, flexible choice for experienced EDH players while still feeling novel enough to catch the eye of collectors who relish Three-Color Identity artifacts. The card’s rarity, print status as non-foil, and the fact that it’s part of a Tales of Middle-earth Commander set all conspire to make it a sought-after piece for both play and display. If you’re chasing a relic with both mythic flavor and reliable utility, this one deserves a place on your shortlist. 💎
Beyond the table, the concept translates nicely into real-world fandom swag. For fans who want to carry MTG inspiration into daily life, pairing your tabletop obsession with practical gear can be a delight. For example, you might appreciate a stylish neon phone case with card storage that keeps your favorites close—an everyday nod to the colorful, modular world of MTG. The linked product below offers a tangible way to celebrate the hobby while staying organized, whether you’re at a crit-heavy Friday Night Magic or a casual Saturday kitchen table session. 🧙♂️🎲
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Real-world myths, MTG design, and a fandom’s shared vocabulary
Relic of Sauron embodies a trend in MTG design: turning literary-inspired concepts into game-ready artifacts that tempt players toward grand narratives at the table. Myths about rings, relics, and forbidden knowledge have long served as engines for storytelling—both in fantasy literature and in the way we build decks. The card’s tri-color mana capability is a microcosm of that mythic triad, offering a playable metaphor for choices: what do you seek, and at what cost will you pursue it? The set’s Tolkien alignment makes these questions even more personal for fans who recognize the weight of Sauron’s shadow in every decision to draw, discard, or tap. And as a piece of collectible hardware—present on card frames, in art, and on the table—it happily lives at the intersection of myth, memory, and modern gaming. ⚔️🧙♂️