Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Blue mages, assemble: there’s something wonderfully whimsical about Lighthouse Chronologist, a Level Up creature that feels like it stepped straight out of a clockwork library. This mythic rarity from Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE) embodies the flavor of blue control and curious tempo, inviting you to push your deck into months of planning for a single, devastating sweep of turns. Its mana cost is modest at {1}{U}, and its transforming journey—from 2/4 at level 4–6 to 3/5 at level 7+—is a mechanical diary of how a careful blue mage can out-think the table over time. The card’s uniqueness isn’t just in its stats; it’s in the timing, the risk, and the tiny thrill of a second, extra turn after the end step if it isn’t your turn. 🧙🔥💎
Where to buy or trade Lighthouse Chronologist
Whether you’re chasing a pristine foil, a nonfoil copy for a budget Jeskai tempo deck, or a digital version for MTGO, there are clear paths to get your hands on Lighthouse Chronologist. The market for ROE’s mythics tends to trend with the broader blue control metagame—often affected by reprint rumors and the card’s unusual upside. In the modern market, you’ll see this card hover around a modest mid-teens price in nonfoil printings and a broader range for foils. If you like to price-check in real time, keep an eye on USD values around $11–12 nonfoil and around $35+ for foils, with euros typically dipping in the mid single digits to low teens depending on condition and printing. A couple of concrete gateways are worth bookmarking: 🧭
Prime online marketplaces
- TCGPlayer — A familiar battlefield for price comparison and quick buys. The card’s purchase page is accessible through networked retailer listings, and you can compare sellers, shipping times, and guardrails for mint-condition copies. Expect a broad spectrum of listings, from near-mint to played, with foils commanding a premium. Shop on TCGPlayer 🧙🔥
- CardMarket (Europe) — A hub for European collectors and traders, often presenting closer-to-market prices for EU buyers and sellers. If you’re in or near Europe, CardMarket can keep shipping costs lower and trades snappy. Browse CardMarket listings ⚔️
- Cardhoarder — The MTGO side of the coin. If you’re building the ROE experience in digital form, Cardhoarder is a solid route to acquire Lighthouse Chronologist for your online cube or EDH/Commander games that cross into MTGO. Cardhoarder MTGO copy 🎲
- Local game stores (LGS) and trade groups — Don’t overlook your local scene. A well-timed trade with a fellow blue mage or a store that runs weekly draft night can yield surprises, including near-mint copies or even alternate art promos peppered into special events. Supporting LGS helps sustain your community, and you might snag a deal you won’t see online.
Price awareness matters with a card like Lighthouse Chronologist. Its level-up mechanic makes it a candidate for “value in play”—especially if you’ve built a tempo deck that can protect it while you set up the end-game turns. The card’s ROE printing, with its black border and artwork by Steven Belledin, adds a slice of nostalgia for fans who remember the Epic Eldrazi era and the art’s moody, clockwork vibe. If you’re chasing a foil, expect a premium; if you’re fine with a nonfoil or a slightly pre-loved copy, you’ll find more options and quicker shipping through the portals above. 🧭
Trade-friendly tips and etiquette
- Be clear about condition and language of the card. A Level Up creature’s beauty is in its details; describe whether you’re buying a near-mint, lightly played, or heavily played copy, and whether the level counters are pristine.
- Check the foil premium. Foils can more than double the cost of a nonfoil, depending on the printing and market. If you’re value-walking for a deck, you may prefer nonfoil first and chase the foil later as funds allow. 💎
- Consider MTGO as a trading lane. If you’re cash-light but play-heavy, acquiring the digital version can scratch the itch while you hunt a physical copy for the display shelf. 📜
- Factor shipping, taxes, and potential trade allowances. Some sellers offer discounted shipping on multi-card buys or bundles, which can be a smart play for a card like this that your local crew might borrow for duels. 🎨
Spotlight on value, playstyle, and a quick strategy nudge
Lighthouse Chronologist is not your average avoid-the-abyss blue creature. Its Level Up ability invites you to envision a multi-turn game plan: level up to 4–6 to keep a sturdy body on the board, then push into a late-game form that threatens a temporary, extra-turn advantage for you at the end step when it isn’t your turn. This mechanic rewards tempo builds that can protect the chronologist with countermagic, bounce, or control elements—a classic blue approach. When you’re shopping, imagine which printing fits your budget while still letting you realize a few of those signature turns. If you’re aiming to showcase your collection to friends at a Commander night, a well-kept ROE version with a striking Belledin illustration can be a conversation piece as much as a card to play. ⚔️🎨
A gentle reminder for bargain hunters and collectors alike: the market moves with banner waves of new reprints, Commander product, or deck archetype shifts. Track price history, set alerts, and be ready to pounce when a copy slips into your preferred range.
Speaking of pouncing, if you’re aiming to sweeten the deal with a thoughtful gift or a classy desk companion, consider the Neon Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 with customizable neoprene and stitched edges. It’s a fun crossover—your fandom deserves a little flourish while you draft, trade, or duel—especially when you’re staring down a long night of turns and counterspells. For anyone who wants something tactile while they plan their next lighthouse-level-up play, this product is a cheeky nod to the same meticulous precision you bring to the battlefield. You can check it out here: Neon Gaming Mouse Pad 9x7 🧙🔥
If you’re collecting or just building a reference library for blue cards, Lighthouse Chronologist sits at an intersection of nostalgia, clever design, and unusual tempo value. Whether you snag a foil from a marketplace or swap for a minty nonfoil with a friend, you’re participating in a shared hobby that thrives on storytelling as much as card counts. For price watchers and deck-builders alike, ROE’s chronicles remain a reminder that magic is a game of long arcs and small, shimmering moments—the ones where a single extra turn can tilt the balance of a whole evening. 💎⚔️
Hands-on next steps
- Bookmark the major marketplaces for updates on Lighthouse Chronologist: TCGPlayer, CardMarket, and Cardhoarder.
- Set price alerts for both nonfoil and foil versions so you don’t miss a favorable dip.
- Join a local trades circle or online community to maximize value through fair exchanges and shared love for blue spells.