Cyclopean Tomb is a rare artifact card from Magic: The Gathering's 1993 Limited Edition Alpha set. This 1993 release established the foundational mechanics of the trading card game.
Cyclopean Tomb
1993 • Magic: The Gathering • Limited Edition Alpha
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Description
Cyclopean Tomb stands as a definitive artifact from Magic: The Gathering's Limited Edition Alpha, the 1993 release that launched the trading card game industry. As card number 240 in the set, this rare card was illustrated by Anson Maddocks and has remained a staple for collectors of vintage TCG memorabilia. The artifact requires four mana to cast and introduces a unique board state mechanic that rewards long-term strategy over immediate aggression. The card’s design allows players to place mire counters on target non-Swamp lands, temporarily transforming them into Swamp mana sources for their own use. This ability activates only during the controller's upkeep, requiring careful resource management. The strategic depth of Cyclopean Tomb lies in its delayed payoff: when the artifact enters the graveyard, it triggers a recurring effect that removes mire counters from affected lands at the beginning of each upkeep for the rest of the game. This interaction creates complex decision-making scenarios that defined early Magic gameplay. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering trading card game cards often seek out Limited Edition Alpha cards due to their historical significance and scarcity. The 1993 release set the standard for card design and gameplay mechanics that continue to influence modern formats. Cyclopean Tomb is frequently valued for its role in early deck construction and its enduring appeal among vintage enthusiasts. Whether used for completing a set or appreciating the game's origins, this card represents a pivotal moment in gaming history. The intersection of gameplay innovation and collectible value makes cards from Limited Edition Alpha particularly sought after. As the trading card game continues to evolve, the original 1993 cards remain essential for understanding the medium's development and heritage.
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Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Cyclopean Tomb
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Anson Maddocks
Card Stock
English
{4}
Artifact
Card Text
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
{2}, {T}: Put a mire counter on target non-Swamp land. That land is a Swamp for as long as it has a mire counter on it. Activate only during your upkeep. When this artifact is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, at the beginning of each of your upkeeps for the rest of the game, remove all mire counters from a land that a mire counter was put onto with this artifact but that a mire counter has not been removed from with this artifact.
