Introduction
“Magic: The Gathering” (MTG) is a game of strategy, creativity, and deep lore, where players summon powerful creatures, cast mighty spells, and outwit their opponents using a deck of carefully selected cards. Among the countless legendary creatures in the game, Omnath, Locus of Eternity stands out as one of the most iconic and versatile cards ever printed. Its unique abilities, coupled with its rich backstory, have made it a favorite among casual players and competitive players alike.
In this article, we will explore everything there is to know about Omnath, Locus of Eternity. From its origins in the game’s lore to its mechanics and strategic uses in different formats, we’ll provide a detailed analysis that goes beyond what’s available online. We will also delve into how to build a deck around Omnath, Locus of Eternity, its synergies with other cards, and how it fits into various metagames. This article is optimized for search engines, ensuring it ranks highly and provides valuable information to players in the USA and beyond.
Understanding Omnath, Locus of Eternity
The Lore Behind Omnath, Locus of Eternity
Omnath is a legendary elemental being that has evolved across several planes of the MTG multiverse. Omnath, Locus of Eternity represents the latest and most powerful incarnation of this elemental force. In the lore, Omnath has long been associated with the land and mana, drawing its power from the very essence of the world it inhabits. Over time, Omnath has transformed, growing in strength and complexity, each version reflecting a deeper connection to the multiverse’s primal forces.
Card Overview
- Name: Omnath, Locus of Eternity
- Mana Cost: {G}{W}{U}{R}{B}
- Type: Legendary Creature — Elemental
- Power/Toughness: 5/5
- Card Text: “Ward {c} (If you would lose unspent mana, that mana becomes colorless instead.)”
Omnath, Locus of Eternity is a multi-colored legendary creature that requires five different types of mana to cast, representing green, white, blue, red, and black. Its power and toughness are both 5, making it a formidable presence on the battlefield. The card’s ability, Ward {c}, is unique and adds a layer of strategic depth to its use.
The Significance of Omnath, Locus of Eternity in MTG
Omnath, Locus of Eternity is more than just a powerful creature; it represents the culmination of Omnath’s evolution within the game. Each iteration of Omnath has introduced new abilities and strategies, with this version being the most complex and versatile. The card’s ability to convert unspent mana into colorless mana ensures that no resources are wasted, allowing for powerful plays and intricate combos.
The Mechanics of Omnath, Locus of Eternity
Understanding Ward {c}
The Ward {c} ability is central to Omnath, Locus of Eternity’s power. This ability prevents you from losing unspent mana at the end of phases and turns, converting it into colorless mana instead. This mechanic is particularly potent in decks that generate large amounts of mana, as it allows you to store and utilize excess mana for future turns. The colorless mana can be used to cast powerful spells, activate abilities, or even cast Omnath again if it gets removed from the battlefield.
Mana Fixing and Omnath
Given its five-color mana cost, Omnath, Locus of Eternity requires careful mana management. Decks built around Omnath often include a variety of lands and spells that can generate or fix mana, ensuring that all five colors are readily available. Cards like Chromatic Lantern, Farseek, and Cultivate are commonly used to ensure that the necessary mana is available when Omnath needs to be cast.
Synergies with Other Cards
Omnath, Locus of Eternity has numerous synergies with other cards, particularly those that generate or require large amounts of mana. Some of the best synergies include:
- Mana Doublers: Cards like Zendikar Resurgent and Mirari’s Wake double the mana produced by your lands, allowing you to generate vast amounts of mana that Omnath can store and convert.
- Omnath’s Previous Iterations: Combining Omnath, Locus of Eternity with previous versions of Omnath, such as Omnath, Locus of Creation and Omnath, Locus of the Roil, can create powerful elemental-based strategies.
- X Spells: Spells that have an “X” in their cost, such as Genesis Wave and Exsanguinate, can take advantage of the large amounts of colorless mana stored by Omnath, leading to game-ending plays.
Building a Deck Around Omnath, Locus of Eternity
Deck Archetypes
Omnath, Locus of Eternity fits into several deck archetypes, each with its own unique strategy and win conditions. Some of the most popular archetypes include:
- Elemental Tribal: Leveraging Omnath’s elemental nature, this deck focuses on synergy with other elementals and spells that benefit from having a high number of elemental creatures on the battlefield.
- Ramp: A ramp deck aims to generate as much mana as possible, as quickly as possible. Omnath’s ability to store excess mana makes it an ideal commander or centerpiece in a ramp strategy.
- Five-Color Goodstuff: This archetype takes advantage of the fact that Omnath requires all five colors, allowing you to include the best cards from each color in your deck, creating a versatile and powerful list.
Key Cards to Include
When building a deck around Omnath, Locus of Eternity, consider including the following key cards:
- Mana Ramp: Cards like Cultivate, Kodama’s Reach, Explosive Vegetation, and Harrow are essential for ensuring you can consistently hit the five different colors of mana required to cast Omnath.
- Mana Fixers: Chromatic Lantern, Prismatic Omen, and Arcane Signet help ensure that you have access to the necessary mana types.
- Synergistic Elementals: Risen Reef, Omnath, Locus of Creation, and Avenger of Zendikar are excellent companions for Omnath, enhancing your board presence and mana production.
- X Spells: Genesis Wave, Torment of Hailfire, and Hydroid Krasis take full advantage of the large amounts of mana Omnath can produce.
Strategy and Playstyle
Playing a deck built around Omnath, Locus of Eternity requires a mix of careful planning and explosive plays. Your early game should focus on ramping and fixing your mana to ensure you can cast Omnath as soon as possible. Once Omnath is on the battlefield, use its ability to accumulate mana and set up powerful plays.
Timing is critical when playing Omnath. Knowing when to cast it and when to hold back can make the difference between a victory and a loss. Additionally, understanding the synergies within your deck and how to maximize the value of Omnath’s abilities is key to success.
Omnath, Locus of Eternity in Various Formats
Commander (EDH)
In Commander, Omnath, Locus of Eternity shines as a potent and versatile commander. Its ability to generate and store mana makes it a natural fit for decks that seek to ramp into powerful spells or build up a large board presence. The five-color requirement allows for a wide range of strategies, making Omnath a flexible and formidable commander choice.
Modern
While Omnath, Locus of Eternity is more commonly seen in Commander, it can also make an impact in Modern. In this format, Omnath can be part of a powerful ramp strategy, potentially pairing with cards like Primeval Titan to generate massive amounts of mana. However, its high mana cost and color requirements mean it is typically a more niche choice in Modern.
Standard
Omnath, Locus of Eternity is unlikely to see play in Standard due to its high mana cost and the need for extensive mana fixing. However, in a metagame where ramp strategies are viable, Omnath could find a home in a deck built around explosive mana generation.
Legacy and Vintage
In Legacy and Vintage, Omnath, Locus of Eternity is unlikely to see much play due to the fast-paced nature of these formats and the prevalence of cheaper, more efficient threats. However, in a deck built to maximize mana production and take advantage of Omnath’s abilities, it could potentially find a niche role.
Advanced Strategies and Combos
Infinite Mana Combos
Omnath, Locus of Eternity can be a key component in infinite mana combos, allowing you to generate unlimited amounts of colorless mana. One such combo involves Freed from the Real and Pili-Pala, where you can repeatedly untap a mana-producing creature to generate infinite mana. Omnath then stores this mana, allowing you to win the game with an X spell or other powerful finisher.
Mana Burn Avoidance
In formats where mana burn is a concern (primarily in casual or older formats), Omnath, Locus of Eternity’s ability to convert unspent mana into colorless mana is invaluable. This prevents you from taking damage from mana burn, allowing you to accumulate resources safely.
Board Control and Omnath
Omnath’s ability to store mana makes it an excellent choice for decks that focus on controlling the board. By holding back mana, you can respond to your opponent’s threats with powerful removal spells or counterspells, ensuring that you maintain control of the game.
Competitive Viability of Omnath, Locus of Eternity
Strengths
- Versatility: Omnath can fit into a wide variety of deck archetypes, from ramp to control to elemental tribal.
- Mana Efficiency: The ability to store and convert mana ensures that no resources are wasted, maximizing the efficiency of your plays.
- Powerful Synergies: Omnath synergizes well with a wide range of cards, making it a flexible and potent threat.
Weaknesses
- Mana Requirements: The five-color mana cost can be challenging to consistently achieve, particularly in faster formats.
- Vulnerability to Removal: As a creature, Omnath is vulnerable to removal spells, and its high cost means that losing it can be a significant setback.
- Slow Start: Omnath decks often require time to set up, which can be a disadvantage against aggressive strategies.
The Future of Omnath, Locus of Eternity in MTG
Potential Reprints and Variants
Given Omnath’s popularity, it is possible that we will see reprints or new variants of Omnath in future MTG sets. These could introduce new abilities or mechanics that further enhance Omnath’s role in the game.
Impact on the Metagame
As the metagame evolves, Omnath, Locus of Eternity’s role may shift. In a metagame where ramp strategies are strong, Omnath could become a key player. Conversely, in faster or more aggressive environments, its high mana cost may limit its effectiveness.
Community Reception and Trends
Omnath, Locus of Eternity has been well-received by the MTG community, particularly among Commander players. As new cards are introduced that can synergize with Omnath, we can expect to see continued innovation and experimentation with Omnath decks.
FAQs About Omnath, Locus of Eternity
1. How do I cast Omnath, Locus of Eternity with its five-color mana cost?
To cast Omnath, you need to generate one mana of each color: green, white, blue, red, and black. This can be achieved through a combination of lands, mana-fixing artifacts, and spells that generate or fix mana.
2. What happens to my unspent mana when Omnath, Locus of Eternity is on the battlefield?
With Omnath on the battlefield, any unspent mana that would be lost at the end of a phase or turn is converted into colorless mana. This colorless mana can be used in future turns to cast spells, activate abilities, or pay for costs.
3. Can I use the colorless mana generated by Omnath, Locus of Eternity for colored mana costs?
No, the colorless mana generated by Omnath cannot be used to pay for colored mana costs. However, it can be used for generic mana costs, colorless spells, or to cast artifacts.
4. Is Omnath, Locus of Eternity legal in all MTG formats?
Omnath, Locus of Eternity is legal in Commander, Modern, Legacy, and Vintage. It is not legal in Standard or Pioneer, as it has not been printed in sets that are legal in those formats.
5. What are some common strategies when building a deck around Omnath, Locus of Eternity?
Common strategies include ramping into Omnath as quickly as possible, utilizing mana doublers, and building around elemental synergies. X spells and other powerful finishers are also effective when paired with Omnath’s ability to generate large amounts of mana.
Conclusion
Omnath, Locus of Eternity is a powerful and versatile card that offers a wealth of strategic possibilities in “Magic: The Gathering.” Whether you’re building a deck for casual play or competitive tournaments, Omnath’s unique abilities make it a formidable and rewarding centerpiece. By understanding its mechanics, synergies, and potential in different formats, you can unlock the full potential of this legendary elemental.
As the game continues to evolve, Omnath, Locus of Eternity will likely remain a staple in many players’ collections, offering new and exciting ways to play. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to MTG, exploring the depths of Omnath, Locus of Eternity is sure to provide hours of strategic enjoyment and discovery.