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Elite Arcanist

~$0.30 low · ~$1.39 high

Blue. Creature — Human Wizard

three generic manaone blue mana

No. 54What the codes mean

Elite Arcanist

Magic 2014 #54 · Illustrated by James Zapata

What is Elite Arcanist worth?

Cheapest copy

~$0.30

Non-foil · Magic 2014 #54

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Highest TCGplayer price

~$1.39

Foil · Magic 2014 #54

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2 prices from $0.30 to $1.39. Every price is in the printings table below.

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.

X generic mana, tap this permanent: 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

The only printing of Elite Arcanist

PrintingRarityNon-foilFoilCardmarket (EUR)My collection

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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)

  1. 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.

  2. 2013-07-01

    If the copied card has X generic mana in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as its value when casting the copy. Don't confuse that X generic mana with the X generic mana in the activation cost of Elite Arcanist's ability.

  3. 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."

  4. 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.

  5. 2013-07-01

    You don't choose the value of X generic mana in the activation cost of Elite Arcanist's ability. It's defined by the mana value of the exiled instant card.

  6. 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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