Archers' Parapet MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Released | 2014-09-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Khans of Tarkir |
| Set code | KTK |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 128 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne Reynolds |
Text of card
Defender , : Each opponent loses 1 life.
Every shaft is graven with a name from a kin tree, calling upon the spirits of the ancestors to make it fly true.
Cards like Archers' Parapet
Exploring the mechanics of defender cards offers a unique perspective on playing defensively in Magic: The Gathering. Archers’ Parapet serves as a notable example in this category. Like other defender cards such as Wall of Omens, it provides a robust defense, but Wall of Omens brings an additional benefit of card draw upon entering the battlefield. While Archers’ Parapet does not offer card draw, it stands out with its ability to directly deal damage to each opponent, providing a slow yet steady offensive edge.
Comparing it to another defender, Suspicious Bookcase, Archers’ Parapet again shines with its damage-inflicting capacity. Although Suspicious Bookcase can make another creature unblockable for a turn, it lacks its own method of dealing damage. Meanwhile, Doorkeeper is another comparable defender that can potentially mill cards from an opponent’s library, an alternative strategy for those looking to attack an opponent’s deck rather than life total.
Ultimately, Archers’ Parapet carves out its unique space within defender cards in Magic: The Gathering by offering the dual utility of fortifying your defensive line while subtly chipping away at opponents’ life totals. This dual-purpose function aligns well with certain strategies, particularly in decks emphasizing a longer, more attritional game plan.
Cards similar to Archers' Parapet by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Archers’ Parapet grants a distinct form of card advantage in matches – it pressures your opponent’s life total without the need for committing more creatures to the board. Additionally, it acts as a deterrent, discouraging opponents from attacking and thus potentially keeping your creatures safe for future turns. This passive defense can translate to maintaining card quality and quantity in your hand over your opponent’s.
Resource Acceleration: While Archers’ Parapet does not directly provide traditional mana acceleration, it supports resource acceleration in terms of efficiency. Its low-cost defender ability can allow you to invest mana elsewhere to develop your board or strategize for future plays, ensuring you’re efficiently allocating resources each turn.
Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage to each opponent at instant speed is a substantial strategic advantage of Archers’ Parapet. This unique feature means you can end your turn without using mana and then activate Archers’ Parapet’s ability in your opponent’s turn, ensuring you’re not committing resources prematurely while keeping your defenses up.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Archers’ Parapet doesn’t directly require a discard, but its defender attribute often means it synergizes with cards that necessitate discarding as part of the defensive strategy. This can be a drawback when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana combination to both cast and activate its ability. Requiring both black and green mana can restrict its inclusion in decks that aren’t dedicated to those colors or multicolor friendly decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a defender that offers additional utility in pinging opponents, Archers’ Parapet’s casting cost and activation fee might seem steep. There are alternatives that could serve as cheaper defensive options or more aggressive creatures for the same mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Archers’ Parapet can be a useful addition to decks that aim to establish a solid defense early on. Its ability to block both ground and flying creatures makes it a reliable defensive option across various matchups.
Combo Potential: This card has synergistic value in decks built around toughness, as it can consistently deal damage to opponents while safely tucked behind its wall. Moreover, it can serve as a cornerstone in defender-oriented strategies, unlocking the potential of other cards that capitalize on a strong defense.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Archers’ Parapet serves as an efficient deterrent, slowing down the pace and giving control or midrange decks the breathing room they need to stabilize and dictate the flow of the game.
How to beat
Archers’ Parapet stands out amongst defensive cards within the world of Magic: The Gathering. With its tough structure, this card enables players to hold a solid defense while pinging opponents’ life totals. However, there are strategies to circumnavigate its stronghold in a game. First, consider cards that can bypass creature defenses. Flying creatures soar over the parapet unimpeded, rendering its defensive abilities moot.
Enchantment removals such as Naturalize are also effective at dismantling the defenses, clearing the way for your attacks. Alternatively, one can employ direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt to take out the defenders directly or even better, target the opponent directly and lessen the impact of the parapet’s ability. Cards that force opponents to sacrifice a creature can also help in effectively dealing with Archers’ Parapet by side-stepping its considerable toughness.
Moreover, exploiting its inability to attack leaves the opponent potentially vulnerable on the counterstrike, making the most of your offensive turns pivotal. Timing removal spells and employing an aggressive strategy typically help in rendering Archers’ Parapet less of an obstacle and more of a minor nuisance in achieving victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Archers' Parapet MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Archers' Parapet and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Archers' Parapet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |