Arcbound Worker MTG Card
2004-02-06 - Number 104
2004-09-01 - Number ap104a
2013-06-07 - Number 201
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Abilities | Modular |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Modular 1 (This comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it. When it's put into a graveyard, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)
The parts are as strong as the whole.
Cards like Arcbound Worker
The Arcbound Worker is a nifty little artifact creature that finds a comfortable niche within the modular mechanic subset of Magic: The Gathering. It shares an affinity with other modular creatures like Arcbound Stinger, which also enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter. However, the Worker differentiates itself with its lower mana cost, making it a more accessible option early in the game.
Then, we can look at Sparring Construct, a card that looks deceptively simple at first glance, much like Arcbound Worker. Though not a modular card, on death, it bestows its +1/+1 counter onto another creature, making it surprisingly versatile in bolstering your field. Compared to the Arcbound Worker whose counters can potentially multiply if you have other artifact creatures on the field, Sparring Construct finds its strength in singular, targeted improvement.
Finally, Iron Bully is yet another comparable card that falls into this category. It also carries the modular ability and when paired with other creatures boasting the same feature can lead to a vastly improved board state. While the Bully costs more mana than the Arcbound Worker, it starts with a larger body.
In the landscape of artifact creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Arcbound Worker shines as a starting point for synergy-driven decks, perfect for an early advantage and incremental growth through its modular ability.
Cards similar to Arcbound Worker by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Arcbound Worker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Green Hardened Scales | Modern | Hardened Scales | Modern Challenge 64 2023-12-23 |
| Hardened Scales | Modern | Hardened Scales | Doghouse-mas VII |
| Simic Hardened Scales | Modern | Hardened Scales | Modern League 2024-02-01 |
| Mono-Blue Yawgmoth | Modern | Hardened Scales | Last Chance Qualifier Ghent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Arcbound Worker arrives on the battlefield at a low cost, setting up strategic plays for later turns. When it’s placed in the graveyard from the battlefield, you can transfer its +1/+1 counter to another artifact creature, subtly bolstering your board presence without additional card expenditure.
Resource Acceleration: As part of the modular mechanic, this creature can effectively transfer its value upon death. This not only provides permanence to the resources you’ve invested but can also accelerate the power of a subsequent creature without the need for additional mana on that turn.
Instant Speed: While Arcbound Worker itself isn’t an instant, its modularity works at instant speed during combat or in response to removal, allowing you to optimize your counter distribution in the heat of the moment. This provides flexible and timely board state adjustments, which can be crucial in the swift-paced nature of gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Arcbound Worker does not have a discard requirement itself, its modular ability is contingent on it dying, which can be seen as a form of resource loss, especially in decks not tailored to utilize the graveyard or sacrifice synergy.
Specific Mana Cost: The single generic mana needed to cast Arcbound Worker seems inconsequential but in a format where mana efficiency is key, including it in multicolored decks may not always align with the deck’s mana curve strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Arcbound Worker’s casting cost is low, when considering its modest stats and the increasingly competitive one-drop slot across various formats, other creatures or spells could offer immediate impact or greater flexibility for the same investment.
Reasons to Include Arcbound Worker in Your Collection
Versatility: This low-cost artifact creature slides easily into artifact-centric or modular-themed decks. Its flexibility in mana cost allows for quick deployment which can be crucial to establishing board presence in the early game.
Combo Potential: Arcbound Worker shines in tandem with other modular creatures or any strategy that leverages +1/+1 counters. When it leaves the battlefield, it passes on its counters, intertwining seamlessly with numerous synergistic mechanics across various sets.
Meta-Relevance: In any format where artifact strategies are prominent, such as in Modern’s Hardened Scales builds, this card’s ability to contribute to cumulative advantage over time makes it a worthy consideration for iterative deck adaptations.
How to beat
Arcbound Worker may seem like a minor threat in MTG, with its modest stats and ability to modulate with +1/+1 counters. But underestimate this modular creature, and you may find your opponent’s board growing out of control swiftly. The key to disrupting the synergy of Arcbound Worker lies in neutralizing it before the counters become a problem. Immediate removal is essential – consider spells that can target and eliminate it without triggering its modular ability.
Spot removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can handle the Worker efficiently without giving the opponent the chance to transfer the counters. Alternatively, applying pressure with early game creatures can preempt the Worker’s effect, keeping the board in your favor. Look out for board wipes that clean the slate; they can remove the Worker and its potential modular recipients simultaneously. Keep in mind that countering the creature spells before they hit the board is another effective strategy, especially when it comes to Arcbound Worker and its subsequent modular chain.
By effectively managing the battlefield and using the right removal at the opportune moment, you can ensure that the Arcbound Worker doesn’t become the cornerstone of your opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Arcbound Worker MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Worker 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 Arcbound Worker Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-02-06 and 2013-06-07. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-02-06 | Darksteel | DST | 104 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 2 | 2004-09-01 | World Championship Decks 2004 | WC04 | ap104a | 2003 | Normal | Gold | Darrell Riche | |
| 3 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 201 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Arcbound Worker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Arcbound Worker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-09-25 | If this creature gets enough -1/-1 counters put on it to cause its toughness to be 0 or less (or the damage marked on it to be lethal), 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. |