Mana Fixing for Apple of Eden and Isu Relic

In TCG ·

Apple of Eden, Isu Relic card art from Assassin's Creed crossover set

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

When color fixing meets legendary artifacts: navigating mana with Apple of Eden, Isu Relic

In the grand tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, some cards redefine the way we think about mana, color identity, and the tempo of a game. Apple of Eden, Isu Relic—a legendary artifact from the Assassin's Creed crossover—doesn’t just sit on the battlefield as a shiny codex of Isu tech. Its true power lies in the temporary access it grants to another player's hand, paired with the strange freedom to spend mana of any type to cast those exiled spells this turn. That’s a dramatic invitation to build around mana fixing in a two-color pairing, where every color wheel decision matters and every life payment carries a subtle risk 🧙‍♂️🔥💎.

With a mana cost of 4 and the ability to tap the relic for an exchange that exiles opponent cards face down, Apple of Eden trades a straightforward, color-fixed economy for a dynamic, catch-me-if-you-can play pattern. Pay 4 life, sacrifice the artifact, and you look at target opponent’s hand, exile those cards face down. You may play those cards this turn, and you can pay for them with mana of any type. The wind then blows differently: whenever you play a land or spell from those exiled cards, the owner draws a card. At the end step, those exiled cards return to their owner’s hand. It’s a powerful tempo play—one that rewards caution and precision, not reckless mana splashing. And because this activation is sorcery-speed, you’ll want a solid plan to align your colors and your sequencing 🧙‍♂️⚔️.

“A single artifact can tilt the odds when you can spend mana of any color to cast someone else’s spell. It’s not about stealing; it’s about rewriting your turn with borrowed power.”

Why this artifact is a mana-fixing accelerant in two-color decks

Even though Apple of Eden is colorless, its flagship capability—casting exiled spells using mana of any type—makes it an oddball ally to two-color archetypes. The trick is to design a mana base that reliably delivers the colors you want when you need them, while Apple’s ability is primed to grab the right spells from an opponent’s hand and swing the momentum in your favor for a single, furious turn. In practice, that means a mana base built around dual lands, fetches, and mana rocks that smooth color availability across two colors. This is where the partner set’s lore and design truly shine: you’re not just fixing mana; you’re enabling a temporary crossover of strategies—draw, tempo, and a dash of political braiding with your foe 🧩🎨.

Think about it like this: you’re not trying to produce every color of mana at once; you’re enabling the flexibility to pay for exiled spells in any color while you lean into a pair that already has synergy for your own spells and your deck’s plan. A well-tuned two-color shell can leverage Apple of Eden’s turn-swing while leaning on legitimate mana-fixing to fetch and cast those exiled threats or utility spells. The payoff isn’t simply playing powerful spells—it's the possibility of dictating the pace of the game by forcing the opponent to react to your exiled options, and rewarding you when those chosen spells align with your plan 🧭🎲.

Deckbuilding tips: planning the colors, the curves, and the moments

  • Choose a color pairing that appreciates tempo and card draw: think Izzet (blue/red) for velocity and spell interaction, or Jeskai (blue/white/red) for card advantage and protection. Apple’s ability thrives when you can present a fast, spell-heavy plan and still leave mana open to cast those exiled cards this turn.
  • Incorporate dependable mana fixing: dual lands that produce two colors, fast fetches to hunt the right colors, and mana rocks that accelerate without overloading you in the early turns. A solid two-color base ensures you’re not left staring at Apple’s activation and a handful of unplayable exiled cards.
  • Balance your curve with value spells from opponents’ hands: when you exile cards, you’ll suddenly have access to a batch of options you didn’t build yourself. Include spells and lands that scale with “cast this turn” effects, so you can maximize the value of those borrowed cards before they snap back to their owner’s hand.
  • Mind the lifepayment and the timing: paying 4 life is nontrivial. Pair Apple with resilience—the sort of card draw or counterplay that keeps you in the game after you sac the relic. A little lifegain or a spell that replaces losses helps keep the engine humming 🔖⚖️.
  • Manage the “draw a card” risk: the owner of the exiled cards draws when you cast those spells this turn. You’ll want a plan to manage or leverage that draw, turning it into a point-denial strategy against your foe or a way to fuel your own board through temporary advantage 💡🧩.

In practice, a two-color approach often shines when you pair Apple with a broad suite of removal and counters, ensuring you survive the early onslaught while you set up the moment you swing with exiled spells. The interplay between exile, cast, and draw creates a narrative of temporary control—one where every decision can tilt the game’s tempo in your favor. And let’s be honest: there’s something deliciously mischievous about outplaying an opponent with a card that borrows their own resources for a single, dramatic turn 🧙‍♂️🎲.

Art, lore, and the collector’s moment

Apple of Eden, Isu Relic captures the crossover magic of Assassin’s Creed within MTG’s lore-rich universe. The artifact’s lore-heavy concept—an Isu device that manipulates perception and access—translates into a game design that rewards patient planning and clever interaction. The art by L J Koh is a striking reminder that the magic of MTG isn’t just about raw power; it’s about story, wonder, and the joy of discovering new strategic avenues with every draw. For collectors and flavor-chasers alike, the card’s mythic rarity and its cross-property imprint add a layer of intrigue that makes it a memorable centerpiece in any two-color shell 🧭💎.

As you test your mana base, remember to pair practical desk gear with serious focus. A reliable setup helps you track life payments, exile affects, and the sequencing that makes Apple sing. To that end, a solid setup matters as much as your mana-fixing plan—which is where a certain neon glow can help you stay in the game late into the night 🕯️🎨.

For players chasing a tactile, real-world accessory that matches the energy of a long session, consider a Non-slip Gaming Neon Mouse Pad—polyester surface, designed to keep your mouse steady while you plot your next exiled play. It’s a small upgrade that pairs nicely with a big plan.

Ready to explore this strategy in depth? Check out the featured product below, and then dive into our curated reads from across the network for more insights, examples, and riffable ideas.

Non-slip Gaming Neon Mouse Pad Polyester Surface

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