Akron Legionnaire MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 1
1995-07-01 - Number 2
1997-03-24 - Number 2
2009-09-07 - Number 1
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Giant Soldier |
| Power | 8 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
None of your non-artifact creatures may attack except Akron Legionnaire.
Cards like Akron Legionnaire
Akron Legionnaire is an intriguing powerhouse within the realm of white creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. Much like the revered Mahamoti Djinn, which boasts a hefty power and toughness, Akron Legionnaire offers a substantial battlefield presence. However, the Legionnaire has an even higher toughness and an impactful exclusivity clause; it prevents other creatures you control from attacking, shaping a unique deck-building challenge and strategic gameplay.
Standing alongside these sizable creatures is the Colossus of Akros, a monolith amongst behemoths. Although sharing the trait of a dominating board figure, it distinguishes itself with the ability to become monstrous, increasing its strength and enabling it to deal damage to opponents directly. Whereas Akron Legionnaire looms as a deterrent, Colossus of Akros offers an alternative win condition by turning into an unstoppable force.
In summary, while evaluating the merits of gargantuan creatures in the game, Akron Legionnaire may not be the go-to for every strategy, especially considering its restrictive nature. Yet it remains a noteworthy option for players seeking to create a deck around such a singular, powerful creature that demands answers from adversaries.
Cards similar to Akron Legionnaire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Akron Legionnaire may not draw cards directly, but its sheer presence acts as a form of card advantage. Its massive size makes it a formidable blocker or attacker that can often handle multiple opposing creatures before it is taken down, effectively dealing with several threats with just one card.
Resource Acceleration: While the Akron Legionnaire itself doesn’t accelerate resources, it does encourage builds around mana ramp to deploy this mammoth creature swiftly. By utilizing various mana rocks or land ramp spells, players can cheat it onto the battlefield ahead of schedule, overpowering opponents with its immense power.
Instant Speed: Though the Akron Legionnaire itself is not an instant, pairing it with instant speed spells and abilities can provide significant tactical advantage. For example, using flash enablers lets you bring it into play unexpectedly, potentially during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn, to surprise your foe and shift the game’s momentum in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As mighty as the Akron Legionnaire may be on the battlefield, one glaring setback for players is the need to discard another creature card to deploy it. This effect puts a strain on your hand, depleting vital resources that could be critical in the later stages of a matchup.
Specific Mana Cost: This behemoth comes with a specific mana cost that requires both white mana and an additional five mana of any color. This makes it a challenging fit for multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana consistency, thereby restricting its utility primarily to mono-white or two-color builds where white is heavily favored.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a summoning cost of eight mana, the Akron Legionnaire is not what you would call a bargain. In the world of MTG, paying such a hefty sum can put players at a significant tempo loss, especially considering other creatures or spells that can provide similar presence on the board for less mana.
Reasons to Include Akron Legionnaire in Your Collection
Versatility: Despite its restriction that prevents you from having other creatures on the battlefield, Akron Legionnaire can work as a formidable force in decks built around enchantment auras or equipment that boost its stats and utility.
Combo Potential: In the right setup, Akron Legionnaire can be a linchpin for combos, especially when paired with cards that benefit from having a single, powerful creature on the field, or with mechanisms that bypass its limiting effect.
Meta-Relevance: Given its massive power and toughness, Akron Legionnaire can dominate in certain metas where single, high-impact creatures can sway the tide of the game, especially in formats where creature removal is less prevalent.
How to beat
The Akron Legionnaire is a powerful presence in MTG games with its might as a standalone force. This colossal creature can be a daunting obstacle due to its sheer size and the restriction of preventing other creatures you control from attacking. Players looking to outmaneuver an opponent’s Akron Legionnaire may turn to removal spells that sidestep its battlefield dominance. Options like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile are efficient at exiling it outright, bypassing the need to confront it in combat.
Control strategies can also be particularly effective. Utilizing counterspells to prevent the Akron Legionnaire from ever entering the battlefield is a proactive approach. If the creature does manage to hit the board, bounce spells or abilities offering a temporary solution can reset the opponent’s board state and give you an edge. Ensnaring Bridge is another effective artifact that can stop the Legionnaire and other hefty creatures from attacking, provided your hand is lean enough.
Ultimately, overcoming the Akron Legionnaire requires a blend of preventive measures as well as reactive tools. A well-timed removal or a strategic counter can ensure this giant soldier’s stay on the battlefield is short-lived, preserving your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Akron Legionnaire MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Akron Legionnaire 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 Akron Legionnaire Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 1 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 2 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 2 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 4 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 1 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Akron Legionnaire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Akron Legionnaire card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If you have two or more Legionnaires, they can all attack. |