Astor, Bearer of Blades MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 194s
2022-09-09 - Number 334
2022-09-09 - Number 293
2022-09-09 - Number 194
2022-09-09 - Number 194p
2022-09-09 - Number 68
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Astor, Bearer of Blades enters the battlefield, look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal an Equipment or Vehicle card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order. Equipment you control have equip . Vehicles you control have crew 1.
Cards like Astor, Bearer of Blades
Astor, Bearer of Blades is a unique figure among creatures that resonate with the warrior archetype in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to fetch Equipment cards directly mirrors the functionality of Stoneforge Mystic. Both share the capacity to put Equipment into play, bypassing the traditional casting cost. However, Astor stands out by allowing the placement of Equipment onto the battlefield rather than into the hand, offering an immediate potential increase in battlefield presence.
Where it differentiates further is through cards like Godo, Bandit Warlord, which also searches for Equipment but brings it into play attached to a creature. This is yet another avenue where Astor’s utility as an independent enabler of Equipment shines. While its initial impact is less immediately aggressive compared to Godo, Astor presents a persistent advantage by readying additional gear for incoming forces without additional mana investment. Though slightly less explosive initially, the long-term equipment strategy benefits could make Astor a preferred choice for many deck builders.
Assessing each creature’s strengths in a deck geared toward Equipment synergy, Astor, Bearer of Blades offers a reliable and mana-efficient method to prepare for an assembled arsenal on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Astor, Bearer of Blades by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Astor, Bearer of Blades. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Astor, Bearer of Blades ensures you stay ahead by giving you access to additional cards. This can be crucial in building your hand and setting the tempo of the game, keeping you one step ahead of your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Astor’s ability to manipulate equipment enhances resource acceleration by reducing costs and making your board more potent. This empowers you to deploy threats or utilize abilities earlier than expected, tipping the scales in your favor.
Instant Speed: While Astor itself might not operate at instant speed, his synergies often involve items or spells that do. This combination enables dynamic and reactive gameplay, allowing you to adapt seamlessly to the evolving state of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Astor, Bearer of Blades introduces a strategic hurdle as it necessitates discarding a card as part of its casting cost. This could potentially deplete your hand, especially detrimental during the mid to late game when each card’s value is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes two specific colors, Astor, Bearer of Blades demands a dedicated mana base. Players running multicolored decks might find the strict color requirement restrictive, making Astor less flexible outside of its native archetype.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning Astor comes at a costly four mana investment, which is considerable for its stat line and abilities. Other creatures at this cost might provide immediate impact or stronger board presence, making Astor a heavier commitment with potential drawbacks in tempo-driven matches.
Reasons to Include Astor, Bearer of Blades in Your Collection
Versatility: Astor, Bearer of Blades can seamlessly slide into numerous decks owing to its utility in bringing equipment and creatures together; it’s not merely a creature card but a catalyst for synergy, amplifying strategies centered on a well-armed battalion.
Combo Potential: Astor’s unique capacity to equip creatures the instant it enters the battlefield unlocks a range of powerful combinations, essentially enabling your warriors to be battle-ready unexpectedly, adding a layer of tactical surprise against opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with aggressive builds, Astor offers a counterbalance that can fortify your defense while maintaining offensive pressure, making it a prudent choice for adapting to the ever-evolving competitive landscape.
How to beat
Astor, Bearer of Blades stands out in MTG as a dynamic creature card that can shift the tide of battle with its equipment synergy. To effectively counter this card, focus on timing and removal. Instant speed removal spells that can be cast before the equipped creature deals damage are essential for dismantling this formidable card’s advantage. Look into leveraging spells that can bypass the protection that equipment might offer, such as board wipes or sacrifice effects.
Alternatively, consider strategies that limit your opponent’s resources, preventing them from deploying or equipping their threats in the first place. Cards that control the battlefield or hand disruption tactics can be extremely useful in this respect. Direct resource denial such as land destruction or counterplay against artifacts can also play a crucial role in outmaneuvering Astor, Bearer of Blades and stifling the momentum it could bring to your opponent’s side of the field.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming the challenge posed by Astor, Bearer of Blades lies in anticipation and preparedness. By keeping the right answers at the ready and prioritizing astute play decisions, you can negate the impact of this powerful card and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Astor, Bearer of Blades MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Promos and Dominaria United, 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 Astor, Bearer of Blades 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 Astor, Bearer of Blades Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United Promos | PDMU | 194s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass | |
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 334 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ivan Shavrin | |
| 3 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 293 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ivan Shavrin | |
| 4 | Dominaria United Art Series | ADMU | 68 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 5 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass | |
| 6 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United Promos | PDMU | 194p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Astor, Bearer of Blades has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Astor, Bearer of Blades card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Once either the equip or crew 1 ability is activated, causing Astor, Bearer of Blades to leave the battlefield won’t stop the ability from resolving. |
| 2022-09-09 | You may still activate any other equip or crew abilities that permanent has if you wish. |