The Eldrazi Monument: A Powerful Artifact in Creature-Based Strategies

Overview

The Eldrazi Monument is an artifact that provides significant benefits to creatures under its control, making it a popular choice in creature-based strategies. This review will delve into the card's mechanics, strategic uses, and synergies, as well as its role in deckbuilding and competitive viability.

Card Mechanics and Interactions

The Eldrazi Monument is an artifact that can significantly impact the game state by providing benefits to creatures under its control. The +1/+1 and flying abilities make creatures more formidable on the battlefield, while the indestructible ability makes them more resilient to removal spells. This can be particularly effective in combination with other creature-based strategies.

The sacrifice trigger at the beginning of upkeep is a key aspect of the Eldrazi Monument. When a player cannot discard a creature, they must instead sacrifice the artifact itself. This can be an advantage for opponents who control more creatures than the player controlling the Eldrazi Monument.

Strategic Uses and Combos

The Eldrazi Monument is often used in combination with other creature-based strategies to create powerful synergies. For example, pairing it with a token generator like Sylvan Library or Simian Spirit Guide can lead to an exponential increase in creature count and strength.

Another strategy involves using the Eldrazi Monument to fuel a creature-based combo deck. For instance, combining it with spells like Vraska's Contempt and Fatal Push can create a powerful removal package that takes advantage of the artifact's ability to make creatures more formidable.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

The Eldrazi Monument typically fills the role of an artifact in a creature-based deck. It is often paired with other artifacts, such as Eldrazi Prodigy or Kozilek's Return, to create a powerful synergy between them.

One archetype that features the Eldrazi Monument prominently is the "Mono-Blue Eldrazi" deck. This deck focuses on generating tokens and creating an overwhelming creature-based presence, with the Eldrazi Monument serving as the linchpin of this strategy.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

The Eldrazi Monument has seen significant play in recent formats, including Modern and Commander. In Modern, it is often paired with other creatures and artifacts to create a powerful synergy, while in Commander, it can be used as a centerpiece for an Eldrazi-themed deck.

In terms of competitive viability, the Eldrazi Monument is generally considered to be a strong card that can provide significant benefits to its controller. However, its sacrifice trigger at the beginning of upkeep can make it less appealing to players who do not have access to other ways to remove creatures from the board.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

The Eldrazi Monument interacts with other cards in several key ways. For example, its +1/+1 and flying abilities make it a formidable opponent on the battlefield, while its indestructible ability makes it less susceptible to removal spells.

It's worth noting that the Eldrazi Monument's sacrifice trigger is not affected by spells like Condemn, which can be used to remove creatures from the board. However, this does not mean that the artifact itself cannot be removed - other cards, such as Kozilek's Return, can still target and destroy it.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The Eldrazi Monument is an art piece created by Chris Rahn, which depicts a massive, ancient structure covered in twisted vines and moss. The artifact itself is said to be the "heart" of the Eldrazi, a powerful and malevolent force that seeks to consume all in its path.

In terms of historical context, the Eldrazi Monument was first printed in 2012 as part of the Avacyn Restored set. It has since become one of the most iconic artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, known for its powerful abilities and unique design.

Key Takeaways

• The Eldrazi Monument provides significant benefits to creatures under its control, including +1/+1, flying, and indestructibility.
• Its sacrifice trigger at the beginning of upkeep forces the player to choose between discarding a creature or the artifact itself.
• The artifact can be used in combination with other creature-based strategies to create powerful synergies.
• It is often paired with artifacts like Eldrazi Prodigy and Kozilek's Return to create a powerful synergy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Eldrazi Monument is a powerful artifact that can provide significant benefits to creatures under its control. Its sacrifice trigger at the beginning of upkeep adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully weigh their options and prioritize which creature or artifact to discard. When used in combination with other creature-based strategies, the Eldrazi Monument can create a formidable presence on the battlefield that is difficult for opponents to overcome.

Additional Considerations

The Eldrazi Monument's impact on the game state can vary depending on the opponent's strategy and resources. Players who control more creatures than their opponent may be able to take advantage of the artifact's sacrifice trigger, forcing them to discard a creature or two in order to protect it.

On the other hand, players who control fewer creatures may find themselves at a disadvantage if they are unable to remove the Eldrazi Monument from the board. In this case, opponents can use spells like Condemn to remove the artifact and neutralize its benefits.

Overall, the Eldrazi Monument is a complex and powerful artifact that requires careful consideration of its strategic uses and synergies in order to maximize its impact on the game state.