Arcbound Tracker MTG Card


Bolstering battlefield presence, Arcbound Tracker offers card advantage by growing from each +1/+1 counter. Combining with proliferate effects, the card accelerates resources, outpacing opponents in developing board state. Encouraging instant speed strategy, the Tracker’s counter gain during opponents’ turns adds surprise and flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Dog
Abilities Menace,Modular
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Menace Modular 2 (This creature enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it. When it dies, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.) Whenever you cast a spell other than your first spell each turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Arcbound Tracker.


Cards like Arcbound Tracker

Arcbound Tracker carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a modular creature card that can escalate in power with each spell cast during your turn. This invokes memories of renowned proliferate mechanics, as seen in cards like Thrummingbird. However, Thrummingbird requires combat damage to a player to protrude its effect, whereas Arcbound Tracker can get a +1/+1 counter reliably as you cast red spells.

Another comparison can be drawn with Arcbound Ravager, a card that also leverages +1/+1 counters but has the flexibility to sacrifice other artifacts for a sudden boost in strength. The Ravager, however, doesn’t have the Tracker’s incremental and consistent buildup over turns. Conversely, we have Everflowing Chalice, which while an artifact with multi-kicker benefits from additional counters, serves a completely different role, focusing on ramping mana instead of building offensive power.

ARCbound Tracker is a card that appeals to strategies that are spell-heavy, particularly in the red spectrum, setting it apart from its counterparts that either need a specific trigger like Thrummingbird or have a more flexible but one-off growth like Arcbound Ravager, fitting into a unique slot in MTG decks.

Thrummingbird - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions
Thrummingbird - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions

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Battlemage's Bracers - MTG Card versions
Komainu Battle Armor - MTG Card versions
Geistflame Reservoir - MTG Card versions
Granite Shard - MTG Card versions
Goblin Replica - MTG Card versions
Foriysian Totem - MTG Card versions
Vulshok Replica - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipped with modular, Arcbound Tracker enables you to consistently bolster your battlefield presence. Each time it accrues a +1/+1 counter, you’re effectively accumulating more power and toughness, which translates into a form of card advantage as it often requires multiple cards from an opponent to address a single, ever-growing threat.

Resource Acceleration: When combined with proliferate mechanics or any other counter-multiplying effects, Arcbound Tracker can quickly become massive. This acceleration of resources, in terms of +1/+1 counters, can surpass what you’d usually achieve in a single turn, giving you a significant edge in developing your board state at a pace your opponent might struggle to keep up with.

Instant Speed: Arcbound Tracker’s ability to receive a +1/+1 counter whenever you cast a spell during your opponent’s turn encourages play at instant speed. This opens up strategic depth as you’re rewarded for playing reactively, allowing you to develop your board while keeping mana open for immediate responses, effectively granting you the element of surprise and flexibility in your plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Arcbound Tracker’s modular ability effectively often means strategically sacrificing other artifacts from your hand or battlefield. While this can synergize with certain strategies, it can also result in a net loss of resources if not managed carefully.

Specific Mana Cost: The red mana requirement for Arcbound Tracker poses a restriction; its inclusion is limited mostly to decks that can consistently produce red mana, potentially narrowing deck-building options for players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana value, Arcbound Tracker may compete with other three-drop slots in your deck that could offer immediate effects or have a more impactful board presence upon casting.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcbound Tracker’s modular ability allows it to be a flexible addition to artifact and +1/+1 counter synergistic decks. Its ability to grow over time makes it a solid choice in a variety of game scenarios.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can accumulate counters quickly. It works exceptionally well with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that manipulates counters, turning it into a potential powerhouse.

Meta-Relevance: Due to its scaling nature, Arcbound Tracker is particularly effective in matches that tend to extend into the later phases, making it a robust pick in slower meta environments or in decks designed to outlast the opponent.


How to Beat

Arcbound Tracker might not be the most formidable foe on its own, but its modular ability allows it to scale up quickly with each spell cast in a turn, making it a potential threat in artifact and red-based aggressive decks. Facing down this creature, one strategy to nullify its impact is to limit spells played on your own turn. This prevents the Tracker from gathering counters and becoming a bigger problem.

Removal spells that can target and destroy it regardless of its size offer a direct approach. Consider efficient kill spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to deal with the Tracker immediately. Artifact removals such as Abrade or Naturalize also help by specifically targeting Arcbound Tracker’s artifact nature.

Another angle is to control the battlefield more broadly and prevent counter accumulation altogether. Sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board, taking the Tracker along with other threats. Playing these smartly means you’ll handle the Tracker before it becomes too large to manage comfortably, keeping you in control of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic depths that make MTG engaging and continually evolving. Just as Arcbound Tracker can adapt and grow, your gameplay and collection should do the same. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each card, like the intricacies of Arcbound Tracker’s interactions and optimal play scenarios, is paramount. Embrace the complexity of synergistic deck-building and the thrill of finding that next-level combo or key piece to thwart your opponents. Your MTG endeavor is an ongoing challenge, a canvas for creativity, and an opportunity to shine in the arena of strategy. Enhance your arsenal, optimize your strategies, and see where Arcbound Tracker can take your game. Discover more with us, where every move brings you closer to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcbound Tracker MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Arcbound Tracker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Arcbound Tracker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Campbell White.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 1122015NormalBlackCampbell White
22021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 4092015NormalBlackCampbell White

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arcbound Tracker has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-06-18 Arcbound Tracker will consider spells you cast before it was on the battlefield. For example, if Arcbound Tracker is the first spell you cast in a turn, each subsequent spell you cast after it's on the battlefield will cause the last ability to trigger.
2021-06-18 If this creature gets enough -1/-1 counters put on it to cause it to go to the graveyard, modular will put a number of +1/+1 counters on the target artifact creature equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on this creature before it left the battlefield.