Balduvian Barbarians MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 172
1999-04-21 - Number 166
2001-04-11 - Number 173★
2001-04-11 - Number 173
2003-07-28 - Number 176★
2003-07-28 - Number 176
2005-07-29 - Number 174★
2005-07-29 - Number 174
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Barbarian |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Cards like Balduvian Barbarians
Among the roster of red creature cards in MTG, Balduvian Barbarians holds a classic spot as a straightforward combat option. Standing alongside it in terms of game mechanics is the Raging Goblin. Although they share the red mana denomination, Raging Goblin offers the advantage of haste, allowing for immediate board impact upon entry. Balduvian Barbarians, however, boast a sturdier form with a higher power and toughness, establishing a more resilient presence.
Exploring similar cards, we encounter the Hill Giant, which mirrors the power and toughness of Balduvian Barbarians. Hill Giant doesn’t bring any unique abilities to the table, making it another vanilla creature that serves as a solid combat participant. While neither card offers the tactical depth of abilities or triggers, their comparable stats enable players to maintain a formidable stance in the creature combat phase.
In the environment of red creatures, Balduvian Barbarians exemplifies the simplicity of early MTG sets. While it doesn’t stand out with special abilities, its stats are on par with simple yet effective creature cards of its cost bracket, marking it as a decent choice for combat-focused decks within the game.
Cards similar to Balduvian Barbarians by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Balduvian Barbarians card may seem simplistic at first glance, but its brute strength can force opponents to expend more resources than they’d prefer, lending you a subtle edge in card economy during the battle.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana, the Barbarians can be a key piece in a strategy that wishes to quickly amass a forceful board presence, pressuring your adversary into redirection of resources which can indirectly accelerate your game plan.
Instant Speed: Although Balduvian Barbarians lack instant speed interaction themselves, they synergize well with cards that do. They benefit from the sudden buffs or protection that instant speed spells provide, making them formidable during the combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though the Balduvian Barbarians card doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it often features in strategies that may require discarding as a cost for other synergistic effects. This can lead to situations where you’re compelled to choose between playing this creature or optimizing another spell that complements your tactic.
Specific Mana Cost: The Balduvian Barbarians demand a specific mana alignment, costing two red and one other to play. This necessitates a deck with a strong red mana base, potentially limiting its inclusion to mono-red decks or those that can efficiently manage a dual or multi-color mana base without inconsistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a 3/2 creature, the Balduvian Barbarians may not represent the best value when compared to other creatures in the MTG universe. There are numerous options available that could provide greater power, toughness, or additional abilities at a similar, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Balduvian Barbarians in Your Collection
Versatility: Balduvian Barbarians is a straightforward card that can seamlessly fit into a variety of red decks. Its simplicity in design lends itself to be an excellent choice for newcomers learning the game mechanics, while also serving as a reliable creature for red-based aggro or midrange decks.
Combo Potential: While not inherently a combo piece, this card’s solid power and toughness for its mana cost can complement strategies centered around boosting creature abilities. It can serve as an unexpected ally in decks that capitalize on creature buffs or synergize with other Barbarian-type creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where early board presence can be pivotal, the Balduvian Barbarians offer a cost-effective way to apply pressure. It’s particularly relevant in budget or format-specific metas, where efficient creature drops can significantly sway the game in your favor.
How to beat
The Balduvian Barbarians card is a nod to Magic: The Gathering’s classic creatures, embodying the raw power and simplicity of red’s early creature designs. A straightforward 3/2 creature for three mana, it represents a basic but effective early game threat. One might find it similar to other cards like Hill Giant, where stats are the main focus over abilities.
To get the upper hand against Balduvian Barbarians, employ efficient removal spells or creatures with better cost-to-stats ratios and beneficial abilities. Cards such as Lightning Bolt will quickly dispatch them due to their low toughness. Moreover, chump blockers like Ornithopter or utility creatures with deathtouch, like Typhoid Rats, can handle them effectively while preserving your life total and stalling for a stronger board position.
Ultimately, the Barbarians may pose a challenge early on, but a well-constructed deck that includes robust defenses or quick removal will neutralize their threat. As MTG continues to evolve, the straightforward nature of Balduvian Barbarians is outpaced by creatures that offer greater versatility and strategic depth, making it important to have a plan for dealing with these types of cards efficiently.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Balduvian Barbarians MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Balduvian Barbarians and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Balduvian Barbarians Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 172 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 166 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 173★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 173 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jim Nelson | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 176★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 176 | 2003 | Normal | White | Jim Nelson | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 174★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Nelson | |
| 8 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 174 | 2003 | Normal | White | Jim Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Balduvian Barbarians has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |