Anthousa, Setessan Hero: A Masterclass in Midrange and Value

TL;DR Summary

Anthousa, Setessan Hero is a game-changing legendary creature that excels at ramping up the board and providing an overwhelming presence in midrange and value-oriented strategies. Her heroic ability makes her an attractive target for spells, generating 2/2 Warrior creatures from lands to swarm the opponent's life total.

Understanding Anthousa's Mechanics

At its core, Anthousa is a straightforward creature with impressive stats: 4/5. However, it's her heroic ability that truly sets her apart. Whenever you cast a spell targeting Anthousa, each of the target lands becomes a 2/2 Warrior until end of turn. These creatures are still considered lands for purposes of the game, meaning they retain their land abilities and can be tapped to generate mana.

One crucial aspect of Anthousa's ability is that it only triggers when you cast spells targeting her. This means that Anthousa must be the intended target of a spell; otherwise, the ability won't trigger. This has implications for deckbuilding and playstyle, as players will need to carefully select their targets to maximize Anthousa's potential.

Strategic Applications

Anthousa is an attractive addition to any midrange or value-oriented strategy, where the ability to generate multiple threats on a single turn is invaluable. Her heroic ability pairs particularly well with spells that target creatures, such as:

• Liliana of the Veil, who can cast a spell targeting Anthousa and simultaneously generate card advantage.
• Azorius Chancellor, which provides a steady source of mana to fuel Anthousa's ability.

In more aggressive decks, players may choose to utilize Anthousa as a "lantern" – a creature that serves as a focal point for opponents' spells. By casting spells targeting Anthousa, the player can create an overwhelming presence on the board and pressure their opponent's life total.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Anthousa excels in midrange and value-oriented strategies, where her heroic ability can be leveraged to generate multiple threats. However, she also has potential in more aggressive and combo-focused decks, particularly those with a strong emphasis on ramping up the board.

Some possible deck archetypes that pair well with Anthousa include:

• Midrange Green-White: This archetype excels at ramping up the board and utilizing spells to generate card advantage. The combination of Anthousa's heroic ability and spells like Llanowar Elves or Elvish Mystic creates a formidable threat package.
• Value-oriented Red-White: By leveraging Anthousa's heroic ability and pairing it with aggressive threats, this archetype can create an overwhelming presence on the board. Spells like Lightning Bolt and Goblin Guide complement Anthousa's ability perfectly.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Anthousa has been a staple in several competitive formats since her release. Her ability to generate multiple threats on a single turn makes her an attractive addition to midrange and value-oriented strategies.

In Modern, Anthousa is often paired with Liliana of the Veil, creating a formidable threat package that can pressure opponents' life totals from multiple angles. In Commander, Anthousa's heroic ability allows players to create an overwhelming presence on the board and push their opponent's life total to critical levels.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

As a legendary creature, Anthousa follows all standard legendary rules interactions. Her heroic ability triggers only when you cast spells targeting her; if a spell targets multiple creatures, including Anthousa, the ability will still trigger for each target land.

Some technical notes to keep in mind:

• When creating 2/2 Warrior creatures from lands using Anthousa's heroic ability, these creatures are considered lands for purposes of the game. This means they retain their land abilities and can be tapped to generate mana.
• If a creature created by Anthousa's heroic ability is affected by an effect that gives it -1/-0 or similar, its power will not be reduced to 2.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Anthousa is one of the first creatures from Ravnica Allegiance's block to feature in Magic's lore. Her ability is inspired by the classic "lantern" concept, where a creature serves as a focal point for opponents' spells.

The artwork on Anthousa features her standing atop a ruined building, with what appears to be a cityscape behind her. The artwork perfectly captures the essence of Anthousa's heroic ability – using her presence to generate multiple threats and overwhelm opponents.

Key Takeaways

When evaluating Anthousa, keep in mind:

• Her heroic ability triggers only when you cast spells targeting her.
• She excels in midrange and value-oriented strategies, where her ability can be leveraged to generate multiple threats.
• Anthousa has potential in aggressive and combo-focused decks, particularly those with a strong emphasis on ramping up the board.

In conclusion, Anthousa is an incredibly powerful and versatile creature that pairs well with spells targeting creatures. Her heroic ability makes her an attractive addition to any midrange or value-oriented strategy, while also offering potential in more aggressive and combo-focused decks.

Synergy Potential

Anthousa's synergy potential extends beyond the obvious pairings mentioned earlier. Her ability can be leveraged in conjunction with a variety of spells and creatures, including:

• Tolarian Academy: By pairing Anthousa with this artifact, players can create an overwhelming presence on the board while also generating card advantage.
• Serra Ascendant: This creature amplifies Anthousa's heroic ability, creating 4/4 Warrior creatures from lands that can be tapped to generate mana.

These synergies highlight the versatility of Anthousa and her potential in a wide range of deck archetypes.

Deckbuilding Considerations

When building decks with Anthousa, players should consider the following factors:

• Mana Base: A robust mana base is essential for maximizing Anthousa's heroic ability. Players should prioritize lands that provide a steady source of mana, such as Tundra or Verdant Catacombs.
• Spell Selection: Carefully select spells that target creatures, such as Liliana of the Veil or Azorius Chancellor. These spells will fuel Anthousa's heroic ability and create an overwhelming presence on the board.
• Gameplan: Develop a clear gameplan for utilizing Anthousa's heroic ability. Players should focus on ramping up the board quickly and using Anthousa as a focal point for opponents' spells.

By considering these factors, players can unlock Anthousa's full potential and create a formidable deck that dominates their opponents.

Conclusion

Anthousa is an exceptional legendary creature that offers unparalleled versatility in midrange and value-oriented strategies. Her heroic ability makes her an attractive addition to any deck, while also providing potential in more aggressive and combo-focused decks.

In conclusion, Anthousa is a must-have for any serious Magic player looking to elevate their game.