A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns' Lift MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Disturb,Flying,Transform |
| Released | 2021-11-19 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad: Crimson Vow |
| Set code | VOW |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | A-66 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Key Takeaways
- Enhances strategic gameplay by offering both a creature and an enchantment aura in one versatile card.
- A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift adds value by using the graveyard as an extended resource.
- Its unique disturb ability at instant speed offers players tactical advantages in combat.
Text of card
Flying Disturb (You may cast this card from your graveyard transformed for its disturb cost.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A-Lantern Bearer enables multiple approaches to gaining card advantage. Once on the battlefield, it can later transform into A-Lanterns’ Lift, ushering in an additional wave of strategic options for the player without spending more cards from hand.
Resource Acceleration: With its disturb cost, A-Lantern Bearer doesn’t only serve a single purpose. Once in the graveyard, it can return as an aura, A-Lanterns’ Lift, enhancing a creature while acting as an entirely new resource. This ‘second life’ is a subtle form of resource acceleration, effectively utilizing the graveyard as an extension of your hand.
Instant Speed: The versatility of A-Lantern Bearer’s disturb ability at instant speed makes it an exceptional combat trick. It can be a game-changing play, enabling a surprise block or an unexpected push for damage. This flexibility ensures that the player can remain reactive during the game, adapting to the unfolding board state as necessary.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As an essential part of gameplay balancing, A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift introduces a strategic consideration with its discard requirement. Players may need to weigh the potential loss of a valuable card against the benefits gained from playing this card, especially when hand size is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Harnessing the power of A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift requires blue mana, which can pose deck-building constraints. This can be particularly challenging for players who are not running a deck optimized for blue mana, thus limiting the versatility and utility of the card in a broader range of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The collective mana value to maximize the transformative ability of A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift may be seen as steep. When evaluated against other cards with similar effects, the investment may be higher than alternative options which could fulfill the role more cost-effectively, potentially making it a less favorable choice in mana-tight situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift fits well in a variety of decks, whether you need early aggressive creatures or to enhance late-game threats with its enchanted flying ability.
Combo Potential: This card shines by supporting strategies that capitalize on synergies with Spirits or other creatures that benefit from evasion or additional mana by flipping into A-Lanterns’ Lift.
Meta-Relevance: Given its low cost and flexible utility, A-Lantern Bearer can be relevant in many metas, especially if flying is less contested or enchantments have secondary benefits within the current environment.
How to beat
A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift offers versatility and resilience in the realm of MTG, transforming from an early spirit creature into an enchantment aura with flying on the flip side. It can be tricky to counter this card since it has the ability to come back from the graveyard through its Disturb ability. Still, there are strategies to keep it in check.
One effective tactic is to employ removal spells that exile rather than destroy, such as Path to Exile or Leyline Binding. This prevents A-Lantern Bearer from returning as A-Lanterns’ Lift. Additionally, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace can prove crucial, eliminating the possibility of utilizing the Disturb feature at all. Cards that prohibit players from casting spells from the graveyard, like Grafdigger’s Cage, also serve as a robust defense against A-Lantern Bearer’s two-stage threat.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating your opponent’s strategy is key. Keeping these countermeasures in mind can ensure your deck has the resilience to soar above A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift, mitigating its impact and guiding you to victory in your next MTG battle.
Cards like A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns' Lift
A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift finds its place in the realm of MTG as a versatile creature card with transformative abilities. It’s akin to other transformable cards like Delver of Secrets, which starts as a modest creature and flips into a more formidable being. However, A-Lantern Bearer goes further by offering not just a creature transformation with A-Lanterns’ Lift, but also an aura boost from its front side that can be attached to other creatures to enhance their power and evasion abilities.
Another parallel can be drawn to cards like Elgaud Shieldmate, with its soulbond ability granting creatures hexproof when paired. While Elgaud Shieldmate requires another creature to be effective, A-Lantern Bearer can offer immediate benefits on its own or when bestowed upon another creature. This self-reliance can be a crucial factor in battles where board presence is key. The versatility of choosing between a creature boost and a transformed flyer provides strategic depth that similar cards may lack.
Understanding the unique dual utility of A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns’ Lift is essential when considering its place in MTG gameplay. It exemplifies a unique hybrid of abilities, allowing players to adapt to the changing tide of the game and making it a distinctive choice for enthusiasts searching for adaptable card options.
Cards similar to A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns' Lift by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns' Lift MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns' Lift and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Lantern Bearer // A-Lanterns' Lift has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |