Armory of Iroas MTG Card


Equipped creature gains a +1/+1 counter with each attack, creating a growing threat against opponents. Boosts creature power at no extra mana cost post-equipment, enhancing board state efficiency. Complements instant speed strategies for unexpected combat advantages and beneficial trades.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

Whenever equipped creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it. Equip

From a distance the weapons look pristine, but in fact they are tarnished and dented, each as unique as the champion who carried it to battle.


Cards like Armory of Iroas

The Armory of Iroas from MTG decks is a unique equipment card that echoes the functionality of other creature enhancement artifacts. Like Cranial Plating, it provides a power boost to creatures, though Cranial Plating’s strength is tied to the number of artifacts a player controls. On the other hand, Armory of Iroas accumulates +1/+1 counters every time the equipped creature attacks, progressively becoming stronger over time without additional costs after its equip fee.

Another parallel can be drawn to the equip card Tenza, Godo’s Maul. While Tenza provides an initial power boost and has benefits tied specifically to legendary creatures, it lacks the growing potential that Armory of Iroas grants. Furthermore, the card Fireshrieker may not offer a power increase directly, but it allows a creature to deal double damage through double strike—an effect that could synergize well with the accumulating power of Armory of Iroas.

Overall, within the realm of MTG artifacts designed to bolster creatures, Armory of Iroas stands out as a cost-effective tool for building a single threat over the course of a game. Its capacity to continually enhance itself with each attack offers a long-term advantage, securing its place among the notable enhancement artifacts.

Cranial Plating - MTG Card versions
Tenza, Godo's Maul - MTG Card versions
Fireshrieker - MTG Card versions
Cranial Plating - MTG Card versions
Tenza, Godo's Maul - MTG Card versions
Fireshrieker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Armory of Iroas by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
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Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
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Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the Armory of Iroas, each time a creature attacks, it garners a +1/+1 counter. Over multiple turns, this translates into a significant advantage, similar to drawing additional resources. The creature becomes an ever-growing threat that must be dealt with, pressuring your opponent to use resources to handle it.

Resource Acceleration: Unlike traditional mana acceleration, the Armory of Iroas offers a different form of resource boost. By enhancing your creatures incrementally every combat phase, it accelerates your board state’s power without requiring extra mana investment after the initial casting. This steady growth can outpace an opponent’s defenses, making your army increasingly difficult to contain.

Instant Speed: While the Armory of Iroas itself is an artifact that operates at sorcery speed, its inherent ability complements instant speed strategies. Being able to increase a creature’s power before damage calculations during combat can result in advantageous trades and surprises that your opponent may not be prepared for, especially when combined with instant speed buffs or combat tricks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Armory of Iroas does not inherently have a discard requirement; however, its true potential comes when combining it with other mechanics or cards that might. This could force a discard to optimize play, leaving you with fewer options in hand.

Specific Mana Cost: While the Armory of Iroas requires a generic mana cost to cast, its equip cost necessitates two mana of any color. This cost can impede your ability to play other spells in the same turn, especially in the early game where mana is at a premium.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana to cast and equip initially, the Armory of Iroas can be a significant investment in the early to mid-game. This can deter players from including it in faster, more aggressive decks where low-costing equipment is paramount.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Armory of Iroas is an adaptable equipment card that can be slotted into a wide array of deck types. Its capacity to enhance creatures and adapt to various game states makes it an excellent inclusion for players who appreciate multifunctional cards.

Combo Potential: The artifact’s ability to accrue +1/+1 counters presents numerous synergy opportunities. It pairs well with decks focused on proliferating or modifying counters, thereby amplifying its impact on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where games can extend to numerous turns, the incremental advantage provided by Armory of Iroas can become significant. It enables creatures to grow stronger over time, making them more formidable in prolonged matches and ensuring its relevance in various meta conditions.


How to beat

Navigating the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering requires both strategy and foresight, especially when facing an artifact like Armory of Iroas. This card functions similarly to renowned equipment pieces such as Cranial Plating, albeit with a focus on building up a single creature through combat. Whenever a creature equipped with Armory of Iroas attacks, it acquires a +1/+1 counter, steadily escalating its threat level. Contrast this with Cranial Plating, which can instantly beef up a creature based on the number of artifacts you control.

To effectively counter Armory of Iroas, one should consider removal spells that target artifacts directly. Naturalize, for instance, can dispatch Armory of Iroas with ease and negate the gradual increase in power it grants. It is essential to prioritize the timing of such spells to ensure your opponent doesn’t accumulate an overwhelming advantage. Additionally, creature removals are pivotal, as Armory of Iroas loses its potency without a creature to equip. Understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s setup can be the deciding factor in outmaneuvering Armory of Iroas on the field.

Ultimately, the key to outmatching Armory of Iroas lies in prompt and decisive action against the equipped creature or the equipment itself. Such tactics are crucial in maintaining control of the game and securing victory against opponents who rely heavily on this form of gradual power accumulation.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Armory of Iroas is a unique piece in the MTG arsenal, gradually tipping the scales in your favor with every combat. Each attack phase is an opportunity to turn your creature into a sizable threat, weaving this artifact seamlessly into various deck genres. Whether you’re amplifying an aggressive stance or fortifying your long-game strategy, understanding the nuances of when and how to utilize such equipment can drastically influence the battlefield. Keen to exploit the full potential of Armory of Iroas or find similar strategic assets for your collection? Explore with us as we unveil deeper insights and strategies for MTG success.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Armory of Iroas MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx and Commander Legends, 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 Armory of Iroas and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Armory of Iroas Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-05-02 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-05-02Journey into NyxJOU 1582003NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 2992015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Armory of Iroas has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Armory of Iroas 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 If you move Armory of Iroas from one creature to another, any +1/+1 counters on the first creature remain where they are.
2020-11-10 The +1/+1 counter is put on the equipped creature before combat damage is dealt.