Accorder's Shield MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 136
2013-07-19 - Number 204
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +0/+3 and has vigilance. Equip
An Auriok shield is polished to a mirror finish even on the inside, enabling its bearer to watch foes ahead and behind.
Cards like Accorder's Shield
Accorder’s Shield joins a robust lineup of defensive artifacts within the Magic: The Gathering realm. Like the classic Bonesplitter, it’s a zero-cost equipment, but where it diverges is its focus on fortification rather than offense. Accorder’s Shield grants vigilance and buffs defense, unlike Bonesplitter, which boosts the creature’s attack power.
Exploring further, Darksteel Axe surfaces as a kindred spirit with its indestructibility and equipment theme. While not free to play, it shares the resilience characteristic, ensuring its longevity in the game. Yet, it again differs in priority, accentuating a creature’s offensive rather than protective attributes. Accorder’s Shield’s uniqueness is highlighted by its blend of cost-efficiency and defensive boost, particularly beneficial in decks emphasizing creature longevity over immediate striking power.
Scrutinizing these equipment cards within Magic: The Gathering exhibits Accorder’s Shield’s distinctive niche as a guardian tool in player arsenals, adeptly balancing cost with a decidedly defensive stance, invaluable for strategies that capitalize on enduring board presence.
Cards similar to Accorder's Shield by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Accorder's Shield. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Accorder’s Shield doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards but it does free up resources. By equipping a creature without paying mana, you effectively gain a cost advantage, allowing you to use your mana elsewhere. This economical use of resources can indirectly lead to card advantage as it enables you to play more spells or invest in more board presence over time.
Resource Acceleration: This artifact accelerates your resources not through additional mana but by its zero-cost equip feature. It means you can play Accorder’s Shield and immediately attach it to a creature without hindering your mana pool for that turn, promoting a faster, more resourceful game play.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Accorder’s Shield can be attached at instant speed if you have creatures like Puresteel Paladin with metalcraft active or any card that allows you to equip at instant speed. This capacity can catch an opponent off guard, significantly boosting a creature’s survivability mid-combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Accorder’s Shield does not have a discard requirement, players should be aware of other cards in their hand before equipping, as the action does not directly contribute to hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Accorder’s Shield requires no mana to play, which is an upside, but it often requires a specific type of creature, preferably one that benefits from vigilance, to maximize its value.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its free casting cost, the equip cost of 3 can be on the higher side for the effect it provides. In a fast-paced game, dedicating that amount of mana can be costly when other equip cards might offer more impactful benefits for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include Accorder’s Shield in Your Collection
Versatility: Accorder’s Shield is a versatile option, able to be slotted into a variety of deck types. Its ability to equip for zero mana means any deck looking to boost creature defenses can utilize it without a heavy investment.
Combo Potential: The shield has synergy with cards that benefit from equipment or artifact count. It can instantly empower creatures with abilities like metalcraft or inspire strategies around equipment-focused cards.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive decks prevail, the added toughness and vigilance Accorder’s Shield provides can turn the tide during combat, making it a relevant addition for defensive strategies.
How to beat
Accorder’s Shield is a well-known artifact in MTG, prized for its ability to bolster a creature’s defense without any mana cost after it’s cast. This characteristic makes creatures significantly tougher to take down in combat, as the Shield provides a boost of 0 defense and Vigilance, enabling creatures to attack without tapping. It’s a key piece in strategies aiming to outlast opponents through strong defenses.
To effectively tackle a creature equipped with Accorder’s Shield, one might consider using removal spells that bypass the creature’s enhanced toughness. Direct removal spells like Path to Exile or Murder are excellent options, as they eliminate the creature regardless of its defensive stats. Additionally, using board wipes such as Wrath of God can clear the board of creatures, regardless of any boosts they’ve received from artifacts like Accorder’s Shield. Alternatively, forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures can also negate the advantages provided by the Shield. Edict effects from cards like Diabolic Edict render the toughness irrelevant by not targeting the creature directly.
Adjusting your strategy to handle creatures fortified by Accorder’s Shield is crucial. Employing robust removal tools or changing your attack approach can neutralize the advantage it confers, maintaining the balance of the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Accorder's Shield MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Magic 2014, 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 Accorder's Shield and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Accorder's Shield Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2013-07-19. Illustrated by Alan Pollack.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 136 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alan Pollack | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 204 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alan Pollack |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Accorder's Shield has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.