A-Armory Veteran MTG Card

Enhances combat through pressure and strategic instant-speed synergies, despite lacking direct card draws. Quick deployment aids in tempo, but deck requirements and higher costs require careful planning. It’s versatile with a firm place in the meta, especially in warrior and equipment-focused decks.

A-Armory Veteran - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Orc Warrior
Abilities	Ward
Released	2021-07-23
Set symbol
Set name	Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
Set code	AFR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	A-130
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Caio Monteiro

Text of card

Ward—Pay 2 life. As long as Armory Veteran is equipped, it has menace. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

Cards like A-Armory Veteran

A-Armory Veteran is a worthwhile addition to the roster of creature cards in MTG. It holds a resemblance to other warriors like War-Name Aspirant, which similarly benefits from raid, rewarding you if a creature has attacked this turn. A-Armory Veteran takes this a step further by granting itself first strike during your turn, adding a layer of offensive durability in combat.

Analogous in spirit is the Fervent Champion, known for its first strike capability as well. Like A-Armory Veteran, the Fervent Champion enhances combat phases but also includes a bonus for equipment, reducing the costs tied to arming them. In contrast, A-Armory Veteran lacks equipment synergies but compensates with its steadfast first strike feature available without prerequisites.

Closer inspection of Boros Challenger displays another similar unit. Although it demands more mana for its mentor ability which can bolster other creatures, the permanence of the power boost cannot be overlooked. A-Armory Veteran, in comparison, simplifies things with consistent, combat-only first strike, spotlighting the card in aggressive strategies that prioritize immediate board impact over long-term creature development.

Evaluating these options reveals that A-Armory Veteran fits neatly into the realm of straightforward, battle-ready warriors in MTG, its turn-based first strike offering a simple yet potent advantage on the battlefield.

Cards similar to A-Armory Veteran by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While A-Armory Veteran itself may not draw cards, its presence on the battlefield bolsters your forces and applies pressure, compelling your opponent to address it, perhaps at a premium, indirectly contributing to your overall card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The A-Armory Veteran doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, but its low mana cost enables quick deployment, allowing you to allocate resources to other spells sooner and maintain tempo against your opponents.

Instant Speed: Although A-Armory Veteran is a creature and not an instant, its effects and synergies with other instant-speed cards can maximize its combat effectiveness, enabling strategic plays during combat that can tip the scales in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A-Armory Veteran’s abilities can sometimes be tied to discard mechanics, which may require you to forfeit valuable cards, diminishing your hand and strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card needs a precise mix of mana to cast, which could restrict how you design your deck and make it challenging to play if you’re not running a compatible color scheme.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While A-Armory Veteran boasts certain strengths, its mana cost is higher compared to other creatures with similar stats, possibly slowing down your early game momentum when you might prefer lower-cost creatures with more immediate impacts.

Reasons to Include A-Armory Veteran in Your Collection

Versatility: A-Armory Veteran is a card that can seamlessly fit into warrior and equipment-focused decks. Its ability to maintain battlefield presence with its ward ability makes it a reliable creature in various gameplay scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergistic value increases when paired with certain artifacts or cards that benefit from equipped creatures. Its role in combat-centric strategies can enable a multitude of dynamic plays and interactions on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given its solid stature for its mana cost and potential to be a thorn in your opponent’s side, A-Armory Veteran has a place in environments where aggressive strategies are advantageous. It’s a modest yet noteworthy addition that can influence your deck’s performance in the current meta.

How to beat

A-Armory Veteran is a stalwart addition to any deck that favors aggressive combat strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique ability to potentially become stronger whenever it’s equipped encourages a build-around playstyle. To effectively counter A-Armory Veteran, there are several strategies a player can employ. Removal spells are particularly effective, with options such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade being able to dispatch the creature before it can capitalize on its power-boosting ability. Board wipes like Wrath of God can also reset the battlefield, nullifying the presence of A-Armory Veteran altogether.

It’s also advisable to manage the equipment cards that could be enhancing A-Armory Veteran’s combat capabilities. Cards like Naturalize offer an efficient way to dismantle your opponent’s arsenal, removing the enhancements and leaving A-Armory Veteran more vulnerable. Ensuring you control creatures with greater power and toughness can also prove to be a simple yet effective strategy, as a well-built defensive line can often discourage attacks from the Veteran.

Ultimately, while A-Armory Veteran is potent in the right circumstances, being proactive with removal, artifact disruption, and a robust line of defense can keep this card from overwhelming the board and leading your opponent to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase A-Armory Veteran MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the A-Armory Veteran and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where A-Armory Veteran has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal