Elite Arcanist
~$0.30 low · ~$1.39 high
Blue. Creature — Human Wizard

Magic 2014 #54 · Illustrated by James Zapata
What is Elite Arcanist worth?
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TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
When this creature enters, you may exile an instant card from your hand.
,
: Copy the exiled card. You may cast the copy without paying its mana cost. X is the mana value of the exiled card.
1/1
Format legality
The only printing of Elite Arcanist
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magic 2014 m14 #54· 2013rare· Cardmarket €0.45 · €0.86 foil | rare | $0.30 | $1.39 | €0.45€0.86 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy Elite Arcanist
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Card details
- First printed
- 2013
- Printings
- 1
- Mana value
- 4
- EDHREC rank
- #17,561 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Artist
- James Zapata
What the codes mean
The small print at the bottom of the Magic 2014 card (#54).
54
- 54Collector number: this card's place in the set list. Main-set cards print it over the set's card count.
Cards from 1998 to mid-2014 print the collector number over the set's card count (like 90/383) next to the copyright line. They have no rarity letter, set code or language code: the set symbol and its colour show the set and rarity.
How to read a Magic card: every part and code, on real cards.
Rulings (6)
2013-07-01
If the exiled card is a split card, then X is determined by the combined mana cost of both halves. However, when you cast the copy, you choose only one half to cast. You may cast a different half each time you create and cast a copy.
2013-07-01
If the copied card has
in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as its value when casting the copy. Don't confuse that
with the
in the activation cost of Elite Arcanist's ability.
2013-07-01
The copy is created in and cast from exile. You must still follow any timing restrictions, such as "Cast [this spell] only during combat."
2013-07-01
If Elite Arcanist leaves the battlefield, you will no longer be able to copy the exiled card. If it returns to the battlefield, you'll be able to exile another instant card from your hand, but Elite Arcanist will be a different permanent with no connection to the first exiled card.
2013-07-01
You don't choose the value of
in the activation cost of Elite Arcanist's ability. It's defined by the mana value of the exiled instant card.
2013-07-01
You can't pay any alternative costs such as overload costs. You can pay additional costs such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those.
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