Alchor's TombHow it works & interactions with other cards

Changing the Canvas

The primary function of Alchor's Tomb is its activated ability, which costs two mana and requires the artifact to tap. When you activate this, you choose one target permanent you control and then choose a color. The target becomes that color. Notably, this effect does not expire at the end of the turn; it lasts indefinitely as long as that permanent remains on the battlefield.

Resolution Breakdown

When the ability resolves, you choose exactly one color: white, blue, black, red, or green. The permanent loses its previous colors and gains the chosen color. If the permanent was colorless, it is now colored. If it was multicolored, it becomes a single color. Because this is a layer 5 effect (color-changing), it will override the colors defined by the object's mana cost or any characteristic-defining abilities.

Strategic Timing

Since the effect is permanent, you can use Alchor's Tomb during your opponent's end step to prepare for your next turn without leaving yourself vulnerable. It is also an effective way to save a creature from 'Protection from Colorless' or 'Destroy target non-black creature' spells by changing the permanent's color in response to the spell being cast.

Common Misconceptions

It is important to remember that changing a permanent's color does not change its mana cost or mana symbols. Additionally, if the permanent leaves the battlefield and returns, it will return as its original printed color. The effect only applies to the specific instance of the permanent that was targeted.

Interaction examples

Coloring the Colorless

Solemn Simulacrum

You have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield, which is a colorless artifact creature. By activating Alchor's Tomb and choosing 'Green', Solemn Simulacrum becomes a green artifact creature. It can now be targeted by spells that affect green creatures or benefit from effects that boost green permanents.

Shifting Mana Rocks

Commander's Sphere

If you target Commander's Sphere with Alchor's Tomb and choose 'Blue', the artifact becomes blue. While this doesn't change the mana Commander's Sphere produces (which is still based on your commander's color identity), it does mean the Sphere now counts as a blue permanent for cards that care about the number of blue permanents you control.