Armor of Thorns MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 206
2014-06-16 - Number 194
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
You may choose to play Armor of Thorns as an instant; if you do, bury it at end of turn. Play only on a nonblack creature. Enchanted creature gets +2/+2.
Cards like Armor of Thorns
Armor of Thorns is an intriguing card that offers a boost in defense and offense for creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with the likes of Giant Growth, as both are low-cost cards that provide a temporary power and toughness increase. However, Armor of Thorns can be recast from your graveyard by paying its additional mana cost, marking its distinction and giving players a persistent advantage through multiple turns. Conversely, Giant Growth lacks such recurrence, and its effect vanishes at the end of the turn.
Comparatively, Rancor is another enchantment that grants a power boost and trample, but it also returns to the owner’s hand when it goes to the graveyard, ensuring continual use. In contrast, Armor of Thorns is a one-time recursion, balancing the game by requiring a strategic use of mana. Additionally, Vines of Vastwood provides an instant speed alternative that not only increases power but also protects the creature from being targeted by opponents that turn.
Considering these aspects, Armor of Thorns offers a unique combination of combat enhancement and recurring utility. It’s a valuable card for players who prefer a resilient and adaptable approach to bolstering their creatures on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Armor of Thorns by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Armor of Thorns offers repeatable use due to its ability to return to the owner’s hand. This can lead to continued field presence, making it a utility item in maintaining card leverage during a match.
Resource Acceleration: With a relatively low mana cost, Armor of Thorns allows for early game acceleration. Players can quickly enhance their creatures, adjusting the pace to their favor without a heavy resource investment.
Instant Speed: The Aura’s instant speed gives players tactical flexibility, allowing them to enhance a creature during combat or in response to opponent’s actions. This can drastically alter the power dynamics on the battlefield, catching opponents off-guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Armor of Thorns requires returning it to your hand at the beginning of the next clean-up step unless you discard a forest card. This can be problematic as holding onto forests for this specific purpose may not always be convenient or could interfere with your land drops and overall mana curve.
Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating one green mana, Armor of Thorns could be restrictive in multicolored decks that may not have consistent access to green mana when needed. This card best fits mono-green or heavily green-based decks, limiting its flexibility in a wider array of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment of two for an enchant creature card that provides only a +2/+2 benefit may not be the most efficient use of resources. When evaluating its performance and cost-effectiveness in a green deck, there are other potentially more impactful cards or enchantments that could take its place, offering greater advantages or broader versatility.
Reasons to Include Armor of Thorns in Your Collection
Versatility: Armor of Thorns offers protective qualities for your creatures and can be a game-changer in decks that hinge on key creatures surviving combat or targeted removal. Its cheap cost and flash ability allow for surprise plays against opponents.
Combo Potential: This card can be a critical piece in decks that exploit the use of enchantments. It not only buffs a creature but also interacts well with enchantment synergies, increasing its overall utility and combo potential in your gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies prevail, Armor of Thorns provides an affordable and effective means of protecting your creatures while simultaneously putting pressure on the opponent. Its ability to be returned to your hand keeps it relevant throughout the game, ensuring your key creatures remain a threat.
How to beat
Armor of Thorns stands out as a versatile aura in MTG, allowing players to enhance a creature’s toughness and provide a substantial defense boost. It operates similarly to other protective spells but offers the unique flexibility of being cast as though it had flash if it’s not the player’s turn, which can turn the tides during combat unexpectedly.
To effectively counter Armor of Thorns, consider incorporating instant-speed removal spells into your deck strategy. Cards like Disenchant can be pivotal as they allow you to destroy Armor of Thorns before it can become a significant threat. Additionally, utilizing bounce spells like Unsummon can force Armor of Thorns back to the owner’s hand, mitigating its impact and requiring additional mana investment to use again. Moreover, spells that feature the ability to counter enchantments, such as Negate, can prevent Armor of Thorns from ever hitting the battlefield, ensuring that your opponent’s creature remains vulnerable.
Strategizing around such potential scenarios by including these types of cards can create critical advantages. Knowing when to remove, counter, or bounce Armor of Thorns can be key to maintaining control over the game and ultimately achieving victory against decks that utilize this compelling aura.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Armor of Thorns MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Vintage Masters, 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 Armor of Thorns 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
Printings
The Armor of Thorns Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Alan Rabinowitz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 206 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Alan Rabinowitz | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alan Rabinowitz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Armor of Thorns has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Armor of Thorns card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | The sacrifice occurs only if you cast it using its own ability. If you cast it using some other effect (for instance, if it gained flash from Vedalken Orrery), then it won’t be sacrificed. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.