Mana Vault — Magic: The Gathering card

Mana Vault

{1}
Artifact

Mana Vault doesn't untap during your untap step.<br>At the beginning of your upkeep, you may pay {4}. If you do, untap Mana Vault.<br>At the beginning of your draw step, if Mana Vault is tapped, it deals 1 damage to you.<br>{T}: Add {C}{C}{C}.

Set Fourth Edition
Rarity Rare
Artist Mark Tedin

Why Play Mana Vault

Fast mana acceleration drives explosive early plays, making Mana Vault essential for decks seeking to deploy expensive threats ahead of schedule. The three colorless mana for one upfront cost enables turn-two four-drops or powers out game-changing artifacts and planeswalkers. Most effective in decks that can either win quickly before the cumulative damage matters or have reliable ways to untap it without paying the steep four-mana cost.

Format Notes

Banned in Legacy due to its oppressive power level alongside other fast mana effects, Mana Vault remains a Commander powerhouse where its explosive potential outweighs the drawbacks in multiplayer games. The higher life totals and longer game length in Commander make the recurring damage less punishing. Its mythic rarity and high price point reflect its status as a premier acceleration piece in the format's most competitive circles.

Combos & Synergies

Voltaic Key provides repeatable untapping without paying the upkeep cost, effectively turning Mana Vault into a three-mana Dark Ritual each turn. Rings of Brighthearth doubles the mana production by copying the tap ability, generating six mana total for devastating explosive turns. Clock of Omens offers another untap outlet while converting excess artifacts into additional activations, creating powerful synergy loops in artifact-heavy strategies.

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Artifact