Arcbond MTG Card


Arcbond can multiply a single damage event, providing significant board and card advantage. Instant speed allows for strategic play, maximizing impact at crucial moments. A limitation for Arcbond is needing a creature target, thus requiring careful board state management.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Choose target creature. Whenever that creature is dealt damage this turn, it deals that much damage to each other creature and each player.

"If you must die today, make your death worthy of legend." —Alesha, Who Smiles at Death


Cards like Arcbond

Arcbond is a unique red instant found in the diverse toolbox of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a standout when compared to other damage distribution spells. Much like Arcbond, Chain Reaction deals damage to each creature based on the number of creatures on the battlefield. The key distinction lies in Arcbond’s ability to spread damage not just across creatures, but to players as well, leading to potential game swinging moments.

Another analog is Blasphemous Act, a spell renowned for its board-clearing potential. While it comes with a hefty base cost, its price is reduced as more creatures join the battlefield, enabling a massive damage outbreak. Arcbond, however, requires a creature to be targeted, triggering a chain of damage that echoes the creature’s injury to all other figures in play. Unlike Blasphemous Act, Arcbond’s intricacy shines in strategic scenarios where a single creature’s damage can spiral into a ripple effect.

To conclude, among MTG spells that concoct waves of destruction, Arcbond holds its own with its versatile damage relay mechanic. It allows for clever plays that capitalize on the state of the battlefield, making it as explosive for tactical players as the more straightforward mass damage spells.

Chain Reaction - MTG Card versions
Blasphemous Act - MTG Card versions
Chain Reaction - MTG Card versions
Blasphemous Act - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Arcbond by color, type and mana cost

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Annihilating Fire - MTG Card versions
Solfatara - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Unforge - MTG Card versions
Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Smash - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Seismic Strike - MTG Card versions
Staggershock - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Blood Hand - MTG Card versions
Rally the Forces - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Volley - MTG Card versions
Downhill Charge - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Annihilating Fire - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Arcbond can turn a single damaging event into a multiplying force, potentially dealing damage to multiple creatures and players. This can create a situation where you’re effectively dealing more damage across the board than you’re receiving, setting the groundwork for gaining an upper hand in card economy.

Resource Acceleration: While Arcbond itself doesn’t directly provide traditional mana acceleration, it can rapidly change the state of the board. By potentially clearing out blockers or opponent’s creatures, it can pave the way for your resources to be utilized more effectively in the subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Arcbond at instant speed adds a strategic layer to gameplay. It allows you to wait until the perfect moment within the complex tapestry of a match, potentially turning an opponent’s attack into a disadvantage for them or using it in response to another spell or ability to maximize its effect.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Arcbond does not have a discard requirement, it necessitates having a creature in play to target, which can be a significant constraint especially if you are low on creatures or your board has been cleared.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Arcbond requires one red mana, making it exclusively beneficial in decks that run red mana sources. This can limit deck-building options and exclude the card from mono-color decks not running red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, including the specific red mana, Arcbond’s cost is balanced against its potential impact on the game. However, its situational nature means that in some scenarios, it could be less effective than other cards at similar or even lower mana costs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcbond offers a unique reactive ability that can be strategically woven into a variety of decks, particularly those that thrive on using damage-based board clearing effects to maintain control of the game.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a pivotal piece in combos, especially with creatures that have lifelink or with damage doublers, allowing for an explosive impact on the game that could potentially lead to an unexpected win.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures rule the battlefield, Arcbond becomes a significant threat. Its ability to turn any damage dealt to a single creature into a board-wide sweep can shift the tides in games where board presence is crucial.


How to beat

Arcbond is an intriguing spell in MTG, capable of turning the tide of a game with its unique ability to deal damage widely across the board. When tasked with tackling this card, players should consider the importance of damage prevention or redirecting strategies. Cards that prevent damage, such as those with the “prevent all damage” effect, can effectively nullify Arcbond’s impact. Additionally, utilizing indestructible creatures or spells that grant temporary indestructibility can ensure that your valuable creatures will survive the domino effect of damage Arcbond can create.

Timing is also crucial when facing an Arcbond setup. By identifying the key moment before your opponent attempts to trigger the card’s ability with damage, you can tactically remove the target creature with removal spells. Think about instant-speed options that can disrupt the combo by either countering Arcbond or by destroying its intended target. Noteworthy examples include classic destroy spells or bounce mechanics that can return the targeted creature to its owner’s hand, giving you a clean slate and dodging the imminent chain reaction.

Overall, countering Arcbond requires a mixture of predictive play and proper deck outfitted with answers to the potential threats it poses. Knowing when to hold back or proceed with a strategic counterattack is the essence of outmaneuvering an opponent relying on this explosive card.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG is a dynamic game where skillfully using cards like Arcbond can be a game-changer. Its ability to amplify damage makes it a tactical addition to your deck, transforming the battlefield in an instant. In decks where damage distribution is key, particularly those featuring lifelink and damage doublers, Arcbond’s value skyrockets. Its unique effect can create unexpected victories and devastating turns. Interested in depth strategies and combinatorial plays that can revamp your game experience with Arcbond? Dive deeper with us. Enhance your MTG prowess by integrating Arcbond into your strategic arsenal and watch your gameplay evolve.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcbond MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Fate Reforged 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 Arcbond and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Arcbond Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2015-01-23. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-01-23Fate ReforgedFRF 912015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak
22015-01-23Fate Reforged PromosPFRF 91s2015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arcbond has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Arcbond card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2014-11-24 Damage dealt by the creature because of the ability Arcbond creates isn’t combat damage, even if it was combat damage that caused the ability to trigger.
2014-11-24 If two Arcbonds have resolved targeting different creatures, and damage is dealt to one of them, the delayed triggered ability will cause that creature to deal damage to each other creature and player. This will cause the delayed triggered ability from the other Arcbond to trigger. The second creature will then deal damage to each other creature and player. This will continue until one or both of the creatures die or the game ends. If this doesn’t happen (perhaps because both creatures have indestructible and damage dealt to the players is being prevented), and no player breaks the loop, the game will be a draw.
2014-11-24 The creature is the source of the new damage.
2014-11-24 The delayed triggered ability Arcbond creates will trigger even if the target creature is dealt lethal damage. For example, if a 3/3 creature is targeted by Arcbond and later in the turn it blocks a 7/7 creature, the 3/3 creature will deal 7 damage each other creature and each player.