Arrogant Bloodlord MTG Card

Arrogant Bloodlord bolsters decks by offering powerful board presence and pressuring opponents early in the game. The card’s drawbacks require strategic management to ensure it remains an asset rather than a liability. Despite its risk, its strength in combat and potential for combos make it a compelling choice for certain deck types.

Arrogant Bloodlord - Rise of the Eldrazi

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Vampire Knight
Released	2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Rise of the Eldrazi
Set code	ROE
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	94
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mike Bierek

Text of card

Whenever Arrogant Bloodlord blocks or becomes blocked by a creature with power 1 or less, destroy Arrogant Bloodlord at end of combat.

"I would rather take my own head than be thwarted by a presumptuous wretch with a shield and a dream."

Cards like Arrogant Bloodlord

Arrogant Bloodlord offers a unique twist in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives might be considered fellow vampires with a keen edge in combat, such as Bloodghast, which also boasts the vampire lineage and a condition for returning to the battlefield. Yet, Arrogant Bloodlord stands out with its peculiar drawback of being destroyed when blocked by a creature with power 1 or less, which Bloodghast does not share.

Another peer in the vampire category is Vampire Nighthawk, a card revered for its deathtouch and lifelink abilities, making it a tough opponent in combat. In contrast, Arrogant Bloodlord’s higher power might seem advantageous, but its downside can be a significant risk in matches with numerous small creatures. Then there’s Stensia Bloodhall, not a creature but a land associated with vampires that deals damage to opponents. While it shares the vampire theme, Arrogant Bloodlord’s role is more direct and aggressive in a player’s strategy.

However, even amid these comparisons, Arrogant Bloodlord’s sheer force and cost make it a potentially game-altering card for those willing to navigate its unique risk, further displaying the dynamic tactics available to vampire-archetype enthusiasts in Magic: The Gathering.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Arrogant Bloodlord is a solid inclusion in decks looking to capitalize on creature-based strategies. The power packed into this single creature can force your opponent to deal with it, often at the expense of using resources that could target other threats on the board.

Resource Acceleration: As a 4/4 for three mana, this creature provides immediate board presence, allowing you to pressure your opponent without committing a large number of resources. This efficiency can accelerate your game plan, putting opponents on a faster clock than they may be prepared for.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the power level of Arrogant Bloodlord benefits from instant speed removal and combat tricks in your deck. It works well with instant speed interaction by maintaining pressure and necessitating immediate responses from opponents whenever it’s on the battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Arrogant Bloodlord doesn’t directly demand a discard, but as a high-risk creature, it can inadvertently cause card disadvantage. If it battles a creature with 1 power, you’re essentially discarding the Bloodlord from the field, which can set you back in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both generic and black mana, the Arrogant Bloodlord necessitates a heavy black mana base. This specificity can hamper its integration into multi-colored decks or those with a diverse mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two black, the Bloodlord’s vulnerability to weaker creatures may not justify the expense, especially when lower-cost creatures could potentially provide a steadier presence on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Arrogant Bloodlord in Your Collection

Versatility: While inherently a card for aggressive decks, the Arrogant Bloodlord offers value in various build styles due to its substantial power level. Its formidable presence can influence the board early in the game, making it a decent choice for those looking to pressure opponents from the onset.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with life-gain strategies and can be particularly potent in decks that manipulate life totals. The Bloodlord can be a powerhouse when combined with cards that offset its drawback or exploit it for additional benefits.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where lower cost creatures dominate, the Arrogant Bloodlord can serve as an effective deterrent. Its ability to potentially take down multiple creatures with its high power can tilt the scales in your favor, especially during the crucial early to mid-game stages.

How to beat

Arrogant Bloodlord is an interesting creature card that can pose a significant challenge on the battlefield due to its powerful stats for its mana cost. With a solid attack and defense, this vampire is a force to reckon with, especially in the early stages of a game. To efficiently manage this threat, players should consider employing cards that can neutralize or take advantage of its distinct drawback. The Arrogant Bloodlord’s ability, which causes it to destroy itself if it gets blocked by a creature with less power, can be turned against it.

One strategy to overcome the Arrogant Bloodlord is by ensuring you have low-power creatures ready to block. Using a deck with a myriad of inexpensive creatures enables you to set up a defensive wall that can trigger the Bloodlord’s ability. Instant spells that temporarily reduce the power of creatures or create token creatures during the blocking phase can also be effective. Additionally, cards that force your opponent to block when they may not want to, can lead to the self-destruction of the Arrogant Bloodlord, turning its confidence against itself.

Ultimately, while confronting the Arrogant Bloodlord head-on may seem daunting, understanding its intrinsic weakness allows savvy players to emerge victorious, making it less of a threat and more of a tactical element in your overall game plan.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arrogant Bloodlord MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Arrogant Bloodlord and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arrogant Bloodlord has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2010-06-15	If Arrogant Bloodlord becomes blocked by multiple creatures with power 1 or less, its ability triggers that many times. Each of those abilities will cause it to be destroyed separately (in case Arrogant Bloodlord isn’t destroyed the first time due to an Aura with totem armor, for example). The same is true if it somehow blocks multiple creatures with power 1 or less.
2010-06-15	If Arrogant Bloodlord blocks or becomes blocked by a creature whose power is 2 or greater, Arrogant Bloodlord’s ability won’t trigger. It still won’t trigger if the other creature’s power changes to 1 or less later in combat.
2010-06-15	The power of the other creature is checked only when it blocks or becomes blocked by Arrogant Bloodlord. Once the Bloodlord’s ability triggers, it will be destroyed at end of combat (after combat damage has been dealt) even if the other creature’s power changes before then.