InMagic: The Gathering, an early-round mana boost can be game-changing, and Mana Vault is one of the most cost-effective ways to achieve this, especially if it’s played alongside cards with an untap effect. This ramp artifact can be especially devastating with the right starting hand.
The bad news is that Mana Vault is only legal in Commander, where it’s on the list of Game Changer cards, and it’s restricted in Vintage. Still, if you want to get your hands on one, there are some unique and interesting artwork choices available.
10Mana Vault By Christine Choi - $67.50
Ultimate Masters (UMA) #229
This Mana Vault card by Christine Choi has a fantasy-style arched building as the mana vault. A crystal tops the ornate design and green mana crystals are shown around the spire. Below, a cloaked figure with a staff looks on. The whole thing is set at a jaunty angle with large columns and archways framing the image.
This version was released as part of the Ultimate Masters set in December 2018. It’s one of 20 mythic rares in the set, which comprises 254 cards in total celebrating the twenty-five-year anniversary of Magic: The Gathering.
9Mana Vault By Christine Choi - $72.05
Double Masters 2022 (2X2) #308
If you missed out on Christine Choi’s beautiful gothic mana vault in 2018, then another chance to grab a reprint of the artwork came along with the Double Masters 2022 set.
This version is still classed as a mythic rare, although this time around the set contained 40 mythic rares and 332 cards in total. Those wanting to get their hands on this version of the Mana Vault should check both sets, since the prices are very similar.
8Mana Vault By Steve Prescott - $86.54
Double Masters 2022 (2X2) #394
If you got your hands on the Double Masters 2022 set, you may also have found this stunning mana vault mythic rare by Steve Prescott. This particular artwork hasn’t been reprinted in any other sets, making it more unique than several of the other mana vault cards which have a few slight variants.
The vault here is more like a traditional safe style, with a circular door full of bolts and spikes. In the center, shining runes glow while blue mana leaks from the edges. The dark background adds an eerie vibe to this steampunk style vault.
7Cofre De Mana By Mark Tedin - $110.00
Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border
This mana vault artwork by Mark Tedin is more reminiscent of a mana well. The brick-circled hole in the center suggests a fiery depth from which rises a complex cube, held in place by stretched chains which are struggling to contain it. The background puts us in mind of brain stems, and the whole thing oozes complexity and wonder.
This particular version of Tedin’s artwork has a black border to signify the foreign black border set. It’s the Spanish language version of the card from Fourth Edition, making it both rare and unique.
6Mana Vault By Christine Choi - $125.73
Double Masters 2022 (2X2) #560
Another mana vault from the Double Masters 2022. This one features alternative and rarer artwork from Christine Choi. The main design on this will be familiar, but this time the background of the card itself, and the edging, is dark, giving the whole card a darker and more mysterious feel.
The removal of the white border around the immediate image gives this card a unique feel in comparison. This particular version is also a mythic rare, but is etched rather than being a foil/nonfoil variant.
5Mana Vault By Christine Choi - $140.92
Ultimate Box Topper (PUMA) #U29
This mana vault artwork is an extended version of Christine Choi’s gothic archway and tower design, stretching it across the card with a black background for the art and white backgrounds for the card text.
You could find this card as one of 40 box toppers, one of which was given away with each booster box of Ultimate Masters 2022. It is complimented by the regular border version in the main set which is a little cheaper.
4Arche De Mana By Mark Tedin - $174.99
Foreign Black Border (FBB) #263
Another foreign black border card, this one is French. The artwork is the same mana well design from Mark Tedin we’ve seen in other sets, including other non-English sets.
The black border works well with this artwork adding a dark edging which contrasts with the orange background and flames in the mana well. If you don’t mind the non-english description this is a nice cards, although the Spanish version can often be found cheaper.
3Mana Vault By Mark Tedin - $199.94
Unlimited Edition (2ED) #260
The most expensive version of Mark Tedin’s mana well design, this one is from Unlimited Edition, the second edition of the core set. It was released all the way back in 1993, hence the hefty price tag.
The white-bordered cards from this set are the same as those in the beta version of the game. There were 302 cards in total and this is a rare but a nonfoil.
2Mana Vault By Kirsten Zirngibl - $474.45
Kaladesh Inventions (MPS) #17
This Mana Vault artwork by Kirsten Zirngibl is an ornate cube-shaped vault, slightly open to allow a peak inside. Set atop a display unit, the vault is exquisitely decorated. An eerie glow inside looks intriguing and vibrant.
The card is from the Kaladesh Inventions which is part of the wider Kaladesh block, a series of cards based on the plane of the same name. Even the border on this card is Kaladesh-themed, making it the rarest and most expensive version of the mana vault outside of a Secret Lair Drop.
1Mana Vault By Akoa - $1,404
Secret Lair Drop #796 - Fallout: Vault Boy
Fallout fans may find it hard to resist this artwork from the Fallout: Vault Boy Secret Lair Drop. A perfect match for a Mana Vault, Pipboy is seen opening a vault door to unleash a mana rainbow. The art is vibrant and unique, making this a much saught after and valuable card.
The Fallout: Vault Boy Secret Lair Drop was limited, but this card is worth far more than most others in the set due to how little it has appeared in sets. The combination of a rarely reprinted card and a Secret Lair Drop puts this firmly on top.
