Animate Wall

Animate Wall

Unlimited Edition Rare
Mana Cost: {W}
Type: Enchantment — Aura
Animate Wall Text:
Enchant Wall Enchanted Wall can attack as though it didn't have defender.
Artist: Dan Frazier
Collector Number: 1
Release Date: 1993-12-01
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-30T00:16:45.967489 • Legacy Format

TL;DR Summary

Animate Wall is a powerful enchantment aura that grants the enchanted Wall creature an additional ability, allowing it to attack as if it had no blocker. This makes Animate Wall a versatile and valuable addition to any Wall-based deck, providing significant boosts to combat potential and value generation.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

When attached to a Wall creature, Aneimate Wall grants the creature an additional ability: "Enchanted Wall can attack as though it didn't have defender." This means that even if the enchanted Wall would normally be blocked by another creature, it will now be able to deal combat damage. However, this new ability does not change the basic rules of combat; it only affects how the enchanted Wall interacts with blockers.

For example, if Aneimate Wall is attached to a 3/3 Wall creature and there's a 2/2 blocker on the board, the 3/3 Wall will still block the 2/2 creature, but it will now be able to attack the 2/2 creature after it has been blocked. This can allow the enchanted Wall to deal significant damage even if its normal combat ability is blocked.

It's worth noting that Aneimate Wall does not interact with other cards that grant or modify abilities based on a creature's power or toughness, such as those from the "Power/Toughness" keyword ability. It only affects how the enchanted Wall interacts with blockers and opponents' creatures in terms of its normal combat ability.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Aneimate Wall is a versatile card that can be used in a variety of ways to support different deck archetypes. Here are some examples:

  • High-Power Wall Creatures: Attach Aneimate Wall to a Wall creature with high power or toughness, allowing it to attack more effectively and deal significant damage.
  • Token Generation: Pair Aneimate Wall with cards that generate extra combat tokens, such as those from the "+1/+1 counter" mechanic. For example, if you attach Aneimate Wall to a 2/2 Wall creature and then play a card like Ajani's Pridemate, which generates two +1/+1 counters, your Wall creature will gain two additional +1/+1 counters, making it much harder for opponents to block.
  • Combo Decks: In combo decks that rely on creating large numbers of creatures to swarm the opponent, Aneimate Wall can be a game-changer. By attaching it to multiple low-power creatures, you can create an army of unblockable attackers that will overwhelm your opponent's defenses.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Aneimate Wall is typically used as a card in a deck that wants to generate a lot of value through creature-based interactions. Here are some deck archetypes that often use Aneimate Wall:

  • Token Generator: Use Aneimate Wall in decks that aim to create large numbers of small creatures to swarm the opponent's board.
  • Wall-Enforcer: Build around Aneimate Wall in decks that use Wall creatures as the backbone, and rely on it to give them an extra boost in combat.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

In recent formats like Modern and Standard, Aneimate Wall has seen moderate play. In Modern, it's often used in combo decks that rely on creating large numbers of creatures or generating value through enchantment-based interactions. In Standard, Aneimate Wall is less common, but can still be found in some Token Generator decks.

In Commander format, where the focus is on building a unique and powerful deck around a specific commander, Aneimate Wall has seen more consistent play. It's often used in decks that rely on creature-based interactions or generating value through enchantment-based effects.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

As mentioned earlier, Aneimate Wall does not interact with other cards that grant or modify abilities based on a creature's power or toughness. However, it can be affected by cards that change the way an opponent blocks creatures, such as those from the "+1/+1 counter" mechanic.

In general, Aneimate Wall will only interact with opponents' creatures in terms of its normal combat ability, unless there are other enchantments or abilities on the board that affect how creatures interact. However, it's always a good idea to read up on the specific card text and understand how any card will interact with your enchantment.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The artwork for Aneimate Wall depicts a wall adorned with strange symbols and glowing runes, as if it has been imbued with magical energy. The flavor of the card is reminiscent of a mystical or ancient civilization that has harnessed the power of the land to create powerful magical constructs.

In terms of historical context, Aneimate Wall was first released in 2003 as part of the "Urza's Saga" set for Magic: The Gathering. It has since been reprinted multiple times and remains a popular card among players due to its versatility and power.

Conclusion Summary

In conclusion, Aneimate Wall is a powerful enchantment aura that grants the enchanted Wall creature an additional ability, allowing it to attack as if it had no blocker. This makes Animate Wall a versatile addition to any Wall-based deck, providing significant boosts to combat potential and value generation. Whether used in combo decks, Token Generator decks, or Commander formats, Aneimate Wall remains a staple of many player's collections due to its enduring power and versatility.

Advanced Gameplay Considerations

  • Blocking Strategies: When using Aneimate Wall, consider how you will block your opponent's creatures. If you have multiple Wall creatures with different abilities, think about which ones to use as blockers and when.
  • Enchantment Interactions: Aneimate Wall can interact with other enchantments on the board, such as those that change a creature's power or toughness. Be aware of how these interactions may affect your strategy.
  • Combo Potential: Aneimate Wall has high combo potential due to its ability to create unblockable attackers. Consider pairing it with other cards that generate extra combat tokens or create large numbers of creatures.

Sideboard Considerations

  • Removing Blockers: When building your sideboard, consider removing blockers that may be difficult for Aneimate Wall's enchanted creature to deal damage to.
  • Adding Additional Value: Add additional value to your board with enchantments that enhance the abilities of your Wall creatures or create new opportunities for combat.

By understanding the mechanics and interactions of Aneimate Wall, you can incorporate it into your deckbuilding strategy and take advantage of its versatility and power. Whether used in combo decks, Token Generator decks, or Commander formats, Aneimate Wall remains a staple of many player's collections due to its enduring impact on the game.