Auriok Glaivemaster MTG Card


It indirectly leads to card advantage by making opponents allocate more resources to combat it. Offers crucial early game plays by accelerating resource usage, especially pertinent for equipment decks. Enhanced by equipment, its instant-speed interaction potential can unexpectedly strengthen its offensive and defensive capabilities.
Auriok Glaivemaster - Darksteel
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Released2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameDarksteel
Set codeDST
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number1
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohn Matson

Text of card

As long as Auriok Glaivemaster is equipped, it gets +1/+1 and has first strike.

"Give me a bit of steel and I'll deliver it into the hearts of my enemies."


Cards like Auriok Glaivemaster

Auriok Glaivemaster steps onto the battlefield as a flavorful infantry character within Magic: The Gathering. It echoes the traits of other low-cost creatures like Elite Vanguard, sharing the same mana cost but differing in secondary abilities. Unlike Elite Vanguard, Auriok Glaivemaster receives a boost if equipped, making it a formative addition in an equipment-themed deck.

It’s mirrored by cards like Leonin Den-Guard, which also gains strength when armored with equipment. Though at a similar mana value, Leonin Den-Guard’s base stats are higher, potentially giving it an edge in combat from the get-go. With Auriok Glaivemaster, the emphasis is on the synergy with other card types and the strategic advantage it can provide once properly equipped.

Regarding boosting potential, we see a comparison with the Kor Duelist. When equipped, it doubles its assault capabilities, showcasing that every equipment-related creature brings unique tactical nuances to a game. Auriok Glaivemaster’s ability to become a first striker sets it apart, balancing the playing field with the potential for a more defensive strategy in early-game scenarios.

Thus, in constructing a deck with a focus on equipment synergies, Auriok Glaivemaster positions itself as a base that, with the right support, can mature into a formidable threat that upholds its value among similar MTG cards.

Elite Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Leonin Den-Guard - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Elite Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Leonin Den-Guard - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Auriok Glaivemaster by color, type and mana cost

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Bushi Tenderfoot // Kenzo the Hardhearted - MTG Card versions
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Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions
Eager Cadet - MTG Card versions
Bushi Tenderfoot // Kenzo the Hardhearted - MTG Card versions
Hada Freeblade - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Auriok Glaivemaster doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to potentially become a bigger threat can force the opponent to use more resources to handle it, indirectly leading to card advantage. Pairing with equipment enhances the value of each card.

Resource Acceleration: An early drop in decks focused on equipment, Auriok Glaivemaster can speed up your gameplay, ensuring that any equipment cards drawn later have an immediate target. This acceleration is crucial to outpace opponents in the critical early stages of the game.

Instant Speed: Although Auriok Glaivemaster itself is not an instant, its ability to benefit from equipments at instant speed can catch opponents off guard. Attaching equipment during the combat phase or at the end of an opponent’s turn can improve its combat capabilities suddenly and turn the tides of battle in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Auriok Glaivemaster doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, it may compel players to utilize Equipment cards to make it effective. Constantly equipping and possibly re-equipping after board wipes can diminish your hand, indirectly functioning as a discard requirement.

Specific Mana Cost: Auriok Glaivemaster demands white mana, which can restrict its inclusion strictly to white or at least white-inclusive decks. Players not running white may find this a hindrance to the card’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering that Auriok Glaivemaster is a 1/1 creature for a single white mana, it stands at a reasonable cost. Nevertheless, the investment in making it a formidable presence on the battlefield—requiring additional mana and cards for Equipment—can be viewed as high when compared to other creatures that are effective without additional support.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Auriok Glaivemaster can seamlessly adapt to a variety of deck builds. As a Humans or Soldiers tribal synergies enabler, it shines in decks that capitalize on these types.

Combo Potential: Its ability to gain first strike when equipped makes it synergize well with equipment cards, transforming it into a formidable early-game threat that can also scale well into the later stages of a match.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the fluctuating nature of metagames, Auriok Glaivemaster’s low casting cost and combo versatility allow it to remain a relevant addition, providing options for players navigating through an equipment-heavy meta or seeking cost-effective creatures.


How to beat

Auriok Glaivemaster is an intriguing creature card that becomes particularly potent in MTG when equipped with artifacts. It gains substantial power, morphing into a more formidable threat on the battlefield. To strategically outmaneuver this card, one effective method involves inhibiting its ability to bond with equipment. Artifact removal spells are your allies here, disrupting the synergy and reducing the Glaivemaster to a mere 1/1 creature.

Another tactic is to control the board through sweepers or targeted removal before the glaive-wielding warrior can be adequately armed. Patience is key; allowing an opponent to invest resources into equipping Auriok Glaivemaster before neutralizing both the creature and the equipment with a well-timed removal can swing momentum in your favor.

Ultimately, the Glaivemaster’s strength is directly tied to the presence of equipment on the field. Sever that connection, and you essentially disarm the card’s primary advantage, tilting the scale of the duel back into your control. Recognizing the crucial timing to execute these plays makes all the difference in triumphing over Auriok Glaivemaster in your MTG matchups.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Auriok Glaivemaster MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Auriok Glaivemaster and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Auriok Glaivemaster has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal