Armorcraft Judge MTG Card


Draws cards equal to number of creatures with +1/+1 counters, significantly improving hand resources. Best suited for decks that focus on +1/+1 counter strategies for a synergistic advantage. High mana cost and color specificity are drawbacks, but potential benefits can outweigh costs.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Artificer
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Armorcraft Judge enters the battlefield, draw a card for each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it.

Were she not a judge, she'd win the division herself.


Cards like Armorcraft Judge

Armorcraft Judge is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering that thrives in a deck loaded with +1/+1 counters. Its closest comparison could be made with Fathom Mage, a card that also capitalizes on counters for card advantage. While Fathom Mage allows you to draw a card every time it receives a counter, Armorcraft Judge has the potential to draw multiple cards immediately upon entering the battlefield, based on the number of creatures you have with counters already on them.

Besides Fathom Mage, another card that echoes the mechanics of Armorcraft Judge is Rishkar’s Expertise. Rishkar’s Expertise lets you draw cards equal to the greatest power among creatures you control and then play another spell for free. Though Rishkar’s Expertise doesn’t require counters, it does hinge on the power of your creatures, which can be significantly boosted by +1/+1 counters. Lastly, there is Inspiring Call, which not only allows you to draw a card for each creature with a +1/+1 counter on it but also provides the added boon of indestructibility for those creatures this turn.

Evaluating Armorcraft Judge alongside similar MTG cards illustrates its place as a useful tool in counter-centric decks, providing a potentially substantial draw effect upon its arrival to the battlefield.

Fathom Mage - MTG Card versions
Rishkar's Expertise - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Call - MTG Card versions
Fathom Mage - MTG Card versions
Rishkar's Expertise - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Call - MTG Card versions

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Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Armorcraft Judge enters the battlefield with the potential to draw a card for each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter, providing a significant boost in resources. This can swing the game by giving you access to more options and increasing your chances to respond to opponents’ moves effectively.

Resource Acceleration: By drawing multiple cards, especially in +1/+1 counter-centric decks, you can accelerate your resources. This burst of card drawing can lead to reaching key spells or creatures sooner, making it easier to build a commanding presence on the board.

Instant Speed: While Armorcraft Judge does not have instant speed itself, the cards drawn can include instants or provide the resources to cast them. This can set up responsive plays during your opponents’ turns, keeping you one step ahead with tricks up your sleeve.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Despite not having a direct discard requirement, Armorcraft Judge demands a commitment to a +1/+1 counter strategy to be effective, potentially narrowing your deckbuilding options and reducing card flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Armorcraft Judge requires both green mana and generic mana, which could constrain its inclusion in multi-colored decks that struggle to consistently produce the necessary green mana especially early in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at four mana, Armorcraft Judge can be considered costly for its stats and effect. In the same mana range, players might have access to other creatures or spells that offer immediate board impact or more substantial card advantage.


Reasons to Include Armorcraft Judge in Your Collection

Versatility: Armorcraft Judge is a flexible addition to decks that focus on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to draw cards based on the number of creatures you control with counters makes it suited for various strategies, from boosting current board states to refilling your hand.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic setups that accelerate the proliferation of +1/+1 counters. When combined with proliferate mechanics or doubling effects, Armorcraft Judge can turn a modest field of creatures into a commanding presence, all while replenishing your hand with more options.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Armorcraft Judge’s card draw capability provides a substantial advantage. Being able to potentially draw multiple cards for a four-mana investment keeps your deck competitive against removal-heavy opponents, ensuring you maintain card advantage and presence on the board.


How to Beat Armorcraft Judge

Armorcraft Judge is a versatile creature card that can play a significant role in decks focusing on +1/+1 counters. Upon entering the battlefield, it allows you to draw a card for each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it. This card can rapidly refill your hand and turn the tide of the game.

To effectively counter this advantage, consider preemptively managing the number of counters on your opponent’s creatures. Removal spells that can target multiple creatures, such as board wipes or mass -1/-1 effects, can limit the card draw potential of Armorcraft Judge. Moreover, spot removal can be used in response to the casting of Armorcraft Judge, ensuring that the creature’s ability has minimal impact. Negating the card advantage is key, and a suite of instant speed interaction spells like Counterspell or removal like Doom Blade can help keep Armorcraft Judge from becoming a game-defining threat on the board.

Another strategy is to employ cards that prohibit your opponent from drawing extra cards. Notions Thief or Narset, Parter of Veils can severely hinder Armorcraft Judge’s effectiveness. By staying ahead in card advantage or controlling the number of +1/+1 counters on the board, you can mitigate the impact of Armorcraft Judge and keep the game in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the realm of MTG, the finesse of Armorcraft Judge beckons to those ardent about +1/+1 counters and the inherent card advantage they provide. Fine-tune your decks with synergetic pieces that amplify the benefits you would reap from its card-drawing ability. It’s not just about enhancing your current board state but also about cunningly stocking your hand for future maneuvers. For players aspiring to outdo competitors with keen deck-building precision, Armorcraft Judge can be the linchpin of victory. Curious to see how this card could revolutionize your game? Expand your understanding of its strategic depth and adaptive power by exploring more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Armorcraft Judge MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Jumpstart, 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 Armorcraft Judge and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Armorcraft Judge Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by David Palumbo.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1442015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3772015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
32020-09-25Zendikar Rising CommanderZNC 602015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
42020-11-12Kaladesh RemasteredKLR 1532015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
52020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 2182015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2912015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2732015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Armorcraft Judge has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 Armorcraft Judge's ability counts the number of creatures, not the number of counters. A creature with more than one +1/+1 counter won't cause you to draw more than one card.
2020-11-10 The number of creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them is counted only as Armorcraft Judge's triggered ability resolves. Players may respond to the triggered ability by trying to change that number.