Arcades, the Strategist MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 212
2018-07-13 - Number 212s
2021-03-19 - Number 371
2020-09-26 - Number M19-212
Text of card
Flying, vigilance Whenever a creature with defender enters the battlefield under your control, draw a card. Each creature you control with defender assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power and can attack as though it didn't have defender.
Cards like Arcades, the Strategist
In the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Arcades, the Strategist stands out as a unique defender-oriented commander. Its ability to allow defenders to attack and deal damage with their toughness rather than their power makes it a card with a specific niche. Wall of Denial is a classic defender with a formidable toughness and shroud, making it an excellent match for Arcades’ strategy. While it doesn’t enable your defenders to attack, it serves as a robust protective asset when Arcades is on the field.
Closely aligned is High Alert, an enchantment that also allows your defenders to attack as though they had power equal to their toughness. It furthers the game plan of Arcades, offering redundancy in your deck’s strategy. However, unlike Arcades, which draws you a card each time a creature with defender enters the battlefield, High Alert does not provide card advantage directly. Then there’s Assault Formation, which is similar to High Alert but offers more flexibility by allowing you to adjust creature’s power and toughness, though it lacks the card-drawing ability that makes Arcades, the Strategist so valuable to a defender-based strategy.
Each of these cards contributes to a fortress-like tableau that can be both offensive and defensive. Among them, Arcades, the Strategist uniquely combines the defensive synergies with card draw, marking it as a distinctive and synergistic leader in MTG defender strategies.
Cards similar to Arcades, the Strategist by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Arcades, the Strategist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | WURG | Modern | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-15 | |
| Bant Sphinx Ramp | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
| Bant Walls | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
| WUBRG | Modern | Modern Showcase Challenge 2024-02-10 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Arcades, the Strategist shines by transforming your defensive walls into potent card-drawing engines. Whenever a creature with defender enters the battlefield under your control, Arcades allows you to draw a card, thereby sustaining a healthy hand size and ensuring you never run out of options.
Resource Acceleration: Arcades, the Strategist doesn’t just help with card advantage, but also strikes a chord with resource acceleration. Since your defenders can attack as though they didn’t have defender, you’re essentially turning low-cost creatures into both shields and battering rams, economizing your resources and gaining board presence swiftly.
Instant Speed: While Arcades, the Strategist itself isn’t an instant-speed spell, it empowers your creatures with defender to have pseudo-instant benefits. Each creature with defender becomes a potential draw trigger. This ability is exceedingly valuable in MTG, as it allows you to adapt to shifting game states and maximize the value of your creatures on the fly.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Arcades, the Strategist demands a very specific mana combination to cast. Requiring one green, one white, and one blue mana plus another for the cast, it can be challenging to summon in a timely manner if you’re not drawing your mana sources smoothly.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Arcades sits at a higher curve compared to other commanders that may offer quicker board presence or impact. This could potentially slow down your game plan, especially in fast-paced multiplayer games.
Discard Requirement: Although not directly requiring a discard, Arcades incentivizes having a hand full of defender creatures to utilize its ability to its fullest. In matches where hand disruption is prevalent, this could mean being forced to discard crucial pieces, effectively blunting your defensive strategy.
Reasons to Include Arcades, the Strategist in Your Collection
Versatility: Arcades, the Strategist breathes new life into defender cards, turning what are traditionally passive walls into offensive threats. This unique ability allows for a dynamic approach to deck building, creating opportunities for both aggressive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: With Arcades on the battlefield, walls you control can suddenly become card draw engines and formidable attackers. This power can be the cornerstone of combos that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or dealing damage based on their toughness.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the metagame, Arcades can surprise opponents not prepared for a defender-based onslaught. In a meta that’s heavy on creature combat, Arcades provides an unexpected angle of play, posing a challenge even for the most established decks.
How to beat
Arcades, the Strategist offers a unique approach to deck building in Magic: The Gathering, encouraging a strategy that heavily relies on defenders. This legendary creature turns defensive walls into formidable attackers, but there are tactics to dismantle the strategy. Primarily, focusing on removal spells that can bypass the protection defenders typically offer is key. Spells like Path to Exile or Murder can eliminate Arcades before defenders become a significant threat.
Another effective approach is to apply pressure early in the game. Aggressive strategies or heavy-hitting creatures can outpace the setup required for an Arcades-centric deck to stabilize and prosper. Direct damage spells and abilities that can target creatures or players also contribute to undermining Arcades’ strategy by removing key pieces before the player can establish a formidable board state.
Negating or countering the spells that summon Arcades is also a potent strategy. Counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak can prevent Arcades from hitting the battlefield in the first place. This preemptive strategy can leave the opponent with a hand full of defenders that offer little resistance without their leader. Inhibiting Arcades’ ability to exert influence on the game is a surefire way to steer the match in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Arcades, the Strategist MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 and Core Set 2019 Promos, 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 Arcades, the Strategist and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Arcades, the Strategist Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Even Amundsen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 212 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Even Amundsen | |
| 2 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 Promos | PM19 | 212s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Even Amundsen | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | M19-212 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Even Amundsen | ||
| 4 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 371 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Even Amundsen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Arcades, the Strategist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Arcades, the Strategist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | Arcades’s last ability doesn’t actually change any creature’s power. It changes only the amount of combat damage it assigns. All other rules and effects that check power or toughness use the real values. For example, Rabid Bite won’t cause a creature with defender to deal damage equal to its toughness. |
| 2021-03-19 | If Arcades leaves the battlefield after a creature with defender has attacked, that creature remains an attacking creature, although it will assign damage equal to its power. |
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.