Exploring Animar, Soul of Elements: The Ultimate Guide

Animar, Soul of Elements is a powerful creature card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Known for its unique abilities and versatility, Animar has made a name for itself among players of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about Animar, from its origins to its strategic usage on the battlefield.

Introduction to Animar

Animar, Soul of Elements was first introduced in the Commander 2011 product set and has since become a staple in many decks. This legendary creature is an elemental incarnation of raw energy, which resonates with the power of the four classic Magic colors: Red, Blue, and Green. Animar’s unique ability allows you to cast creature spells for a reduced cost, while also growing stronger with each creature spell you cast.

Origins and Lore

In the storyline of Magic: The Gathering, Animar originates from the plane of Alara. Alara once existed as a unified world, but due to a cosmic event known as the Conflux, it fractured into five separate shards. Animar represents the essence of temur, the shard encompassing Red, Blue, and Green mana. As a result, Animar embodies the unbridled energy and power of the elements.

Card Abilities and Mechanics

Animar’s abilities make it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Let’s take a closer look at its mechanics:

Protection from White and Black

Animar possesses protection from two colors: white and black. This means that it cannot be targeted, enchanted, blocked, or damaged by any sources of these colors. This ability provides a significant advantage, shielding Animar from many commonly played removal spells and creatures.

Creature Cost Reduction and Power Growth

Animar’s main ability reduces the cost of creature spells you cast by one generic mana for each +1/+1 counter on Animar. This can lead to significant cost reductions, enabling you to flood the battlefield with creatures more efficiently. Additionally, whenever you cast a creature spell, Animar receives a +1/+1 counter, further increasing its power and toughness.

Color Synergy

Being a multi-colored creature, Animar allows you to harness the power of Red, Blue, and Green spells simultaneously. This opens up a wide array of strategies and deck possibilities, as you can incorporate the strengths of each color. Animar decks often focus on creature-heavy strategies, taking advantage of the cost reduction and power growth abilities to overwhelm opponents with a relentless onslaught of creatures.

Building Your Animar Deck

When constructing your Animar deck, there are a few key factors to consider. Balancing creature spells, ramp, and protection spells will be crucial for your success. Here are some suggestions to create a potent and well-rounded deck:

Creatures

Animar decks heavily rely on creatures, so including a diverse range of creatures with varying abilities is essential. Look for creatures that synergize well with Animar’s abilities or that have enter-the-battlefield effects to maximize its potential. Powerful creatures such as Mulldrifter, Craterhoof Behemoth, and Soul of the Harvest are excellent additions to any Animar deck.

Ramp Spells

Since Animar’s cost reduction ability is dependent on +1/+1 counters, ramp spells that generate additional counters or reduce costs are highly valuable. Cards like Sol Ring, Rattleclaw Mystic, and Birds of Paradise are perfect for accelerating your mana production and getting Animar out onto the battlefield as quickly as possible.

Protection Spells

While Animar has protection from white and black, it’s still vulnerable to other colors and non-targeted effects. Including protection spells that grant hexproof or indestructibility such as Asceticism and Lightning Greaves can ensure Animar’s safety and longevity on the battlefield.

Card Draw and Filters

Sustaining card advantage is crucial in any Magic deck, and Animar is no exception. Including cards like Beast Whisperer, Glimpse of Nature, or Blue Sun’s Zenith will help you draw additional cards, keeping your hand full of options and maintaining the pressure on your opponents.

Strategies and Playstyles

Animar’s versatility allows for a wide range of play styles and strategies. Here are a few popular approaches when playing with Animar:

Aggro and Beatdown

With Animar’s cost reduction and power growth abilities, a common strategy is to overwhelm opponents with a relentless onslaught of creatures. By playing low-cost creatures and continually casting creature spells, Animar quickly grows in size and becomes a potent threat on the battlefield. Cards like Craterhoof Behemoth can serve as finishers, granting your entire team trample and a massive power boost for a potential game-ending attack.

Combo

Animar’s cost reduction ability opens up the possibility of assembling powerful combos that can lead to victory in a single turn. Cards like Ancestral Statue, Cloudstone Curio, and Walking Ballista enable infinite creature casts and deal lethal damage. Combining Animar’s abilities with the right pieces can create an unstoppable engine that overwhelms your opponents.

Control and Protection

While Animar is known for its aggressive nature, it can also excel at controlling the board and protecting itself. Including counter spells like Counterspell or bounce spells like Cyclonic Rift can disrupt your opponents’ plans and buy you essential time to build up your board presence. Coupled with protection spells that grant hexproof or indestructibility, Animar becomes a resilient force that’s challenging to deal with.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can Animar’s cost reduction ability reduce the colored mana cost of creature spells?

A: No, Animar’s ability only reduces the generic mana cost of creature spells. The colored mana cost remains the same.

Q: Does Animar itself count toward the cost reduction ability?

A: Yes, Animar’s own casting cost contributes to the reduction ability. For example, if Animar has three +1/+1 counters, its cost would be reduced by three generic mana.

Q: Can Animar’s power growth ability trigger from creatures cast by other players?

A: No, Animar’s ability only triggers when you cast creature spells. Creatures cast by other players won’t contribute to Animar’s power and toughness increase.

Q: Can Animar’s protection from white and black be removed or countered?

A: Animar’s protection is not a spell or an ability that can be directly countered or removed. However, cards that destroy or exile all creatures, regardless of protection, will still affect Animar.

Final Thoughts

Animar, Soul of Elements is a powerhouse in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its unique abilities and colorful nature make it a favorite among players seeking versatility and excitement. Whether you prefer an aggressive beatdown strategy, infinite combo shenanigans, or resilient control, Animar offers endless possibilities. Remember to experiment, customize your deck, and have fun unlocking the true potential of this extraordinary elemental creature.