Ancient Runes
Tempest 161 • uncommon
- Set
- Tempest
- Collector number
- 161
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Mana cost
- 2 generic mana red mana
- Type
- Enchantment
- Colors
- Red
- Artist
- Susan Van Camp
- Market price
- $1.37
What it does
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals damage to that player equal to the number of artifacts they control.
Ertai volunteered to open the portal. He figured he owed it one.
Where you can play it
- StandardNot legal
- PioneerNot legal
- ModernNot legal
- LegacyLegal
- VintageLegal
- CommanderLegal
- PauperNot legal
- BrawlNot legal
- HistoricNot legal
- TimelessNot legal
- Penny DreadfulNot legal
- OathbreakerLegal
Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.
Where to find one
Search for Ancient Runes on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
Ancient Runes was released in 1997 as part of the Tempest expansion for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed by Wizards of the Coast, Tempest was the first set in the Rath Cycle and was designed to emphasize a shift toward more interactive and strategic gameplay compared to earlier sets. The card was specifically crafted as a thematic enchantment that punishes players for drawing multiple cards, reflecting the set's focus on high-stakes mechanics and punishing resource management.
The artwork for the card was created by artist Heather Hudson, whose gothic and intricate style became a hallmark of the era's aesthetic. Hudson’s design for Ancient Runes draws on classic high-fantasy motifs, utilizing shadows and symbolic glyphs to evoke a sense of ancient, dangerous magic. Upon its release, the card was received as a niche technical tool for sideboard play, particularly in formats where artifact-heavy strategies were prevalent, rather than a staple for general deck archetypes.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Ancient Runes
Ancient Runes is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Tempest 161 • uncommon. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Ancient Runes on collecto.rs?
Ancient Runes doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Ancient Runes?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your card, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other magic: the gathering collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Ancient Runes catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Ancient Runes is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs cards tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your cards is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every card you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
