Anvilwrought Raptor MTG Card

Anvilwrought Raptor’s flying ability lets it circumvent ground blockers, creating sustained battlefield pressure. A defensive asset, it can protect key creatures while maintaining a tangible presence in the skies. In the right deck, this artifact creature’s adaptability and synergy heighten its competitive edge.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Bird
Abilities First strike,Flying
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flying, first strike

"I know its lightness, for I have seen it fly. I know its weight, for I have seen it strike." —Brigone, soldier of Meletis

Cards like Anvilwrought Raptor

Anvilwrought Raptor stands out within the artifact creature subset in MTG. It resembles Skyscanner which also offers a flying threat. However, the Raptor is unique in the fact that it has first strike, presenting a distinct combat advantage over the Skyscanner’s ability to draw a card upon entering the battlefield. Unlike the Raptor, Skyscanner doesn’t pose the same immediate board presence.

Another comparator is Gust-Skimmer, which similarly sports flying but has a flexible ability to gain flying as needed, albeit without the first strike trait of the Raptor. It’s a lower cost card with adaptability, but it doesn’t have the sustained board control that Anvilwrought Raptor provides. Comparatively, Pilgrim’s Eye offers flying, and while it does not have first strike, it assures land acquisition which can be crucial for certain strategies, but it doesn’t impact the board state as aggressively as Anvilwrought Raptor can.

Ultimately, while each of these artifact creatures offers value in terms of board presence and utility, Anvilwrought Raptor is particularly noteworthy for players who value defensive stability and a formidable flying unit that’s well-suited for early to mid-game battlefield dominance.

Skyscanner - MTG Card versions
Gust-Skimmer - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim's Eye - MTG Card versions
Skyscanner - MTG Card versions
Gust-Skimmer - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim's Eye - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Anvilwrought Raptor doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, its flying capability ensures it can often evade common ground-based blockers, allowing you to press an advantage in life points. This flying ability can contribute to maintaining pressure on your opponents, indirectly leading to a form of card advantage as they might have to waste resources dealing with the threat it poses.

Resource Acceleration: The Anvilwrought Raptor might not directly accelerate your resources. However, its moderate casting cost and the potential to serve as an aerial blockade can help safeguard your other valuable creatures and resources on the battlefield. This defensive utility can be just as crucial as ramping up mana, preserving the integrity of your strategic setup.

Instant Speed: Although the Anvilwrought Raptor is not an instant, its presence as an artifact creature with flying can be a boon. It can serve as a robust inclusion in decks that can flash creatures onto the battlefield, effectively giving the Raptor a pseudo-instant speed characteristic. Being able to deploy it during your opponent’s turn can suddenly tilt the aerial balance in your favor, which is pivotal in the intricate dance of threats and responses that define MTG.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Anvilwrought Raptor may not directly require a discard, but without abilities offering card advantage, it could strain your hand resources in a drawn-out game, leaving you at a deficit when compared to alternatives that do.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a specific combination red and another mana for play, Anvilwrought Raptor’s place is inherently limited to decks that can fulfill this requirement, potentially hindering its integration into a multicolored deck strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, this artifact creature might seem affordable, yet its power and toughness do not necessarily justify the investment, especially when weighed against other cards within the same mana range that bring additional abilities or greater board impact.

Reasons to Include Anvilwrought Raptor in Your Collection

Versatility: Anvilwrought Raptor’s ability to slot into multiple deck types makes it a solid pick for artifact and flier strategies. Its flying ability gives it an edge in combat, bypassing many ground defenses.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, this raptor can synergize with cards that favor artifact play, potentially unlocking new combos and interactions within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right deck structure, Anvilwrought Raptor has the potential to be relevant in a meta-game that appreciates evasive threats and artifact-based synergies, making it a card worth considering.

How to beat

Stopping Anvilwrought Raptor can be a strategic part of your gameplay in MTG. As an artifact creature with flying, this raptor can evade ground-based defenses, making it essential to have airborne or reach-capable blockers. A creature such as Kraul Harpooner can be highly effective, offering a chance to tackle the Raptor as it comes into play, thanks to its reach and ability to gain power equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.

Another tactic involves the use of artifact removal spells. The direct approach with cards like Naturalize allows you to dispatch the Raptor without combat, bypassing its flying advantage completely. Alternatively, countering the spell upon casting offers a preemptive solution. A counter spell such as Cancel can serve this purpose, nipping the threat in the bud before it takes flight.

Ultimately, understanding the Raptor’s strengths and weaknesses gives you the upper hand. Adjusting your deck to include direct answers to such evasive creatures ensures that you remain in control, no matter what threats soar your way in your MTG matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anvilwrought Raptor MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Core Set 2020, 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 Anvilwrought Raptor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Anvilwrought Raptor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by James Zapata.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 2112003NormalBlackJames Zapata
22019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 2212015NormalBlackJames Zapata

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Anvilwrought Raptor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal