Which are the best Mythic Rare cards in MTG Arena?
One of the most exciting parts of cracking open a booster pack in MTG Arena is finding out if your rare is crap or the long-awaited missing piece to your current deck build. In most cases, rares can go either way. If you’re lucky, you will be able to score a coveted mythic rare. While not all mythic rares are going to blow you away, most of the best cards in the meta are actually mythic rares. So how do you know if a mythic is worth redeeming wildcards for? Here is a list of the best 15 Mythic rares in the current meta of MTG Arena.
How to get these cards?
All mythic rares in this list can be pulled from boosters of their current sets or redeemed from wildcards earned from the game.
15. Rekindling Phoenix – Guilds of Ravnica
Rekindling Phoenix - the second best bird in the game
Why is it good?
The Rekindling Phoenix is not even the best phoenix in the current meta (more on that later), but it is still one of the best creatures to play for its cost. At 4cc, this flaming red bird will provide you with a 4/3 flying crit, but its ability to comeback at the next upkeep with haste makes it an ideal defense-for-offense creature. Opponents will have to commit two removal spells or an exile removal to get rid of this bird. It also does well against blue and black decks because of its reincarnation ability.
Where is it used?
Rekindling phoenix is best used as the ceiling crit for RDW decks, although there are some UR builds that add this phoenix to go along with the Arclight. You might also spot this phoenix with some Boros builds, especially if they have ETB (enters the battlefield) triggers on the board, since you could see three triggers with just this creature.
14. Nicol Bolas, the Ravager – Core Set 2019
Nicol Bolas - the biggest baddie of them all
Why is it good?
When Bolas enters the battlefield, he creates all sorts of problems for the opponent. His ETB discards a card from the opponent, and the next turn he could transform into a planeswalker that immediately has access to draw abilities, a whopping 10 damage of cheese, and even a creature steal ability. His last ability is a win-con (win condition) and all but assures a win. At worst, Bolas is a 4/4 flying dragon for 4cc, which in itself, is already quite remarkable.
Where is it used?
This current incarnation of the evil Bolas is tailor-made for the Grixis control build. Once you have control of the board, casting Bolas all but assures victory, especially in the late game, where you have tons of mana to cast and transform the Elder Dragon. Bolas has also been known to make appearances in 4-color and 5-color “goodstuffs” deck builds.
13. Aurelia, Exemplar of Justice – Guilds of Ravnica
"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard"
Why is it good?
One of the Angelic commanders for the Boros Legion makes another appearance in Guilds of Ravnica. While other versions of Aurelia were powerful on their own, this incarnation works well with others. Her Mentor ability pumps up other crits, but it’s the +2/+0 with trample and vigilance for Boros crits that sets her apart from other creature lords. Aurelia is also thick lady. With a toughness of 5, she is just out of reach for cheese burns such as Lava Coils and Lightning Strikes.
Where is it used?
Aurelia, Examplar of Justice, is the cornerstone of the Boros Aggro build. She is the staple for the 4-drop slot and she can end things pretty quickly just by entering the battlefield and “cheering on” her Legion with her pumps and mentor abilities.
12. Vraska, Golgari Queen – Guilds of Ravnica
I am the pirate queen! Hoist the colors!
Why is it good?
This version of Vraska caused quite a stir with her last ability. All a player has to do is damage the opponent to win the game. While the reality of game play (and the 9 loyalty counters needed to pull this off) calmed everyone and turned the volume down on the hype, Vraska still made appearances on the current meta because of her first two abilities. Life gain and draw and a permanent removal (3cc) right off the bat was still amazing weapons to have for the Queen.
Where is it used?
This version of Vraska is used in some Golgari Aggro and Golgari Midrange decks, but she works best with Golgari tokens builds because of her first ability. Golgari tokens builds have plenty of expendable creatures to feed Vraska’s first ability.
11. Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca – Guilds of Ravnica
I'm not a mermaid! I'm a merman!
Why is it good?
Kumena was also announced early on as a spoiler for Guilds of Ravnica, and he was immediately recognized as one of the best cards in the set. He had EDH players drooling in anticipation, but no one expected he would also be prominent in Standard. Kumena has three abilities, which works in perfect synergy with merfolk builds and decks. He almost looks like a planeswalker with so many abilities to choose from. But even without these abilities, Kumena is a 3-drop 2/4 tribal creature wall, which makes a difference against aggro builds.
Where is it used?
Obviously, Kumena is one of the more important crits in merfolk decks and merfolk builds. But there are some mono-blue unblockable builds that have added a splash of green to include Kumena as a late game plot twist.
10. March of Multitudes – Guilds of Ravnica
One little two little three little fingers. four little five...
Why is it good?
We’ve seen great token spells before, but the difference with March of Multitudes is that the crits that it churns out have lifelink. Not to mention this spell has instant speed, meaning you can cast this as a sudden defensive foil or at the end turn of your opponent so your army can swing for the kill during your next turn. But this card earns its mythic status with its ability of Convoke, essentially giving you the ability to either double your Selesnya army or replacing your crits that are on their way out.
Where is it used?
This card is one of the most dangerous cards in Selesnya aggro and Selesnya weenies builds. She works in perfect synergy with Trostani Discordant and Shanna, Sisay’s Legacy. This card also powers other Selesnya pieces such as Camaraderie in late game, and the planeswalker Huatli, Radiant Champion.
9. Ral, Izzet Viceroy – Guilds of Ravnica
Zzzzt! I'm sorry, that's wrong, and the correct answer is...?
Why is it good?
Ral is the perfect planeswalker for Izzet builds. Ral’s first ability fills your graveyard with instant and sorcery spells, but he is also a great way to filter and set up Arclight Phoenix. Not only does he fill up graveyards for UR drakes, but his second ability is also armed by graveyard spells. This means that your creature cheese could be as high as 6-8 damage in the midgame and even higher in end game. His last ability also sets you up for an immediate win-con, so don’t be surprised if your opponent concedes once your crack his emblem.
Where is it used?
Ral is a great complement for UR builds. He works with either the drakes builds or the phoenix builds, because of his synergy to fill up graveyards. Ral is also used for some Jesaki Control side boards, mostly for his second ability, which has the damage reach to bring down large crits.
8. Resplendent Angel – Core Set 2019
In the arms of an angel, far away from here...
Why is it good?
A 3/3 flying creature at 3-drop is already something that works well, but it is the abilities of the Resplendent Angel sets her apart. She gets underestimated because most players don’t realize that you don’t have to activate her 6cc pump to create the 4/4 angel token. Just gaining 5 life through other means triggers her ability. What makes her even more potent is the fact that she isn’t a legendary creature, meaning you could have two, three, or even the entire play set, on the battlefield at the same time.
Where is it used?
The Resplendent Angel is the essential piece of the Lifelink White Weenies build. She is the staple 3-drop slot for most white builds, and she has great synergy with early lifelink cards such as Ajani’s Welcome, Bishop’s Soldier, and Healer’s Hawk. She is also used in some Boros builds, especially the builds that include angels like Lyra Dawnbringer and Shalai, Voice of Plenty.
7. Vona, Butcher of Magan - Ixalan
I vant to suck yer vlood!
Why is it good?
Vona, Butcher of Magan has lifelink and vigilance, meaning he can attack and gain you 4 life and you can still activate his ability to destroy any non-land permanent. Even if he doesn’t attack, paying 7 life for a permanent removal is still well worth it in some cases. At 5cc, he is the ceiling crit for most builds, along the Doom Whisperer, but he creates great synergy with most BW creatures.
Where is it used?
Vona is another creature that was almost tailor-made for his own deck. In this case, he acts as the defensive and offensive hero for the BW Tokens deck builds. He also works well with tribal Vampire decks. Since most vampire decks have lifelink, it has good synergy with Vona’s ability, which requires 7 life to use.
6. History of Benalia - Dominaria
Nothing says 'saga' like painted glass
Why is it good?
History of Benalia is arguably the best Saga card to come out of Dominaria. For a three-drop slot, this saga immediately spurts out a 2/2 Knight with vigilance, another one the next turn, then turns these tokens (and other knights on your battlefield) into 4/3 vigilance soldiers on the third turn. 3cc that affects the game state for three turns is a bargain.
Where is it used?
History of Benalia is one of the most commonly used 3-drops for White Weenies. It is especially devastating for builds that have knights, such as the Selesnya Knight builds with Benalish Marshal, Dauntless Bodyguard, and Elenda, the Dusk Rose. It is also a commonly placed enchantment for most Boros Aggro builds.
5. Vraska, Relic Seeker - Ixalan
Ahoy, ya land lubber!
Why is it good?
Vraska Relic Seeker is one of the most used cards in the meta, mostly because she fits perfectly with almost all Golgari builds. She can create 2/2 pirates with menace with her first skill, remove a permanent AND create a treasure artifact with her second skill, and go for the sure win with her last skill. This is perfectly suited for most Green-Black decks that have control of the board, or even decks that are going for the aggro route.
Where is it used?
Golgari is the most popular color in the current meta, and almost all Golgari decks feature at least one Vraska, Relic Seeker. Before the sixth turn, the Golgari swarm will have control of the board state, and Vraska can come it and finish things off. She can be found in Golgari Aggro decks, Golgari Midrange decks, and Golgari Control decks.
4. Carnage Tyrant - Ixalan
Jurassic park in melting in the dark!
Why is it good?
Carnage Tyrant is arguably the best dinosaur to come out of the Ixalan block. This 7/6 monster cannot be countered or targeted by spells and abilities (hexproof), and it comes with trample. This reptile is the bane of Jeskai, UR, and weenies decks, and there are only a handful of cards that can deal with the tyrant. Boost this dinosaur with some enchantments and he is all but unstoppable.
Where is it used?
Carnage Tyrant is best used in Mono-Green Stompy decks because of their ability to ramp. Basically, you can have this dinosaur on the battlefield by turn four. But this Tyrant is so dominating that he can be plugged into any deck that has access to green mana. This includes Golgari Aggro/Golgari Midrange and Selesnya Aggro/Selesnya mid range decks.
3. Doom whisperer – Guilds of Ravnica
Those whispers you hear in the dark are not from nightmares
Why is it good?
A 6/6 flying trample creature with a casting cost of 5 is already an unbelievably good creature. But Doom Whisperer brings down the hammer with his ability to Surveil twice for two life. This demon can cause havoc right at the get go, since his ability does not require it to tap. This means that you can surveil twice immediately after casting this nightmare. As a creature, 6/6 with evasion AND trample is just unfair.
Where is it used?
Doom Whisperer is made for UB Control. The creatures and spells of this build takes advantage of the surveil mechanic, and the demon immediately surveils twice, triggering all sorts of abilities of creatures and enchantments. You can see this demonic whisperer in almost all decks with access to black mana, such as Golgari Aggro, Golgari midrange, Grixis control, Rats Discarder, and UB midrange.
2. Teferi, Hero of Dominaria - Dominaria
Control is as much a problem as the illusion of control
Why is it good?
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria is the best planeswalker in the current meta. His ability to untap two lands not only makes him essentially a 3cc planeswalker, but it works in perfect synergy for control decks to have open mana to have access to counterspells and removals. In a pinch, he even has the ability to tuck a non-land permanent into the deck and buy time to find solutions for it. The last ability all but finishes the game by exiling everything on the board of the opponent.
What Decks is it used?
Teferi is singlehandedly the reason why Jeskai control is such a good build in the current meta. Jeskai has access to counterspells, draws, and removals, and Teferi has good synergy with all those elements. A late-game Teferi drop is the win-con of most Jeskai decks, and for good reason. You can also see Teferi make appearances in Esper Control decks, and UW midrange decks.
1. Arclight Phoenix – Guilds of Ravnica
Kakaw! Kakaw!
Why is it good?
This phoenix is undoubtedly the best red creature to come out of Guilds of Ravnica. Its ability to come back to the battlefield back after casting three spells is made even more potent by the UR builds with cheap spells that draw. It also has great synergy with discard and draw spells such as Chart a Course and Tormenting Voice. This flaming bird is also one of the best weapons against control decks, because it cannot be countered when entering play from the graveyard, and only an exile spell can permanently keep it from coming back. Arclight Phoenix is also so dangerous because it has haste. Meaning it can immediately swing after spawning from the graveyard, or even when hard-cast from your hand.
Where is it used?
The Arclight Phoenix is the cornerstone of almost all UR decks. The phoenix is the win-con for UR Phoenix, UR Drakes, and UR Wizards builds. But you can also spot one of two of these birds on mono-red decks, especially the ones with low casting curves. Some Boros builds even include this phoenix in some sideboards to counter control decks.
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