Balduvian Berserker MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 116
2022-09-09 - Number 28
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Kor Berserker |
| Abilities | Enlist |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Enlist (As this creature attacks, you may tap a nonattacking creature you control without summoning sickness. When you do, add its power to this creature's until end of turn.) When Balduvian Berserker dies, it deals damage equal to its power to any target.
Cards like Balduvian Berserker
The Balduvian Berserker offers a unique twist on creature cards that can become a significant threat in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). While there are other creatures that can pump up their strength, the Berserker’s ability to potentially become more powerful when blocked sets it apart. Cards like Raging Goblin may be fast with its haste ability, yet it doesn’t match the Berserker’s growth potential during combat.
When compared to Kiln Fiend, another fiery aggressive creature, it is evident that each card has its strengths. Kiln Fiend gains power with each instant or sorcery spell cast, making it a powerhouse in the right deck. Conversely, the Berserker’s capability to intimidate as it gets stronger when blocked, doesn’t require additional card play and operates well with its standalone mechanics.
Lastly, the Berserker can draw comparisons with Frostwalk Bastion. Although not a creature, this snow land can become a creature with combat abilities. Yet unlike the Balduvian Berserker, it doesn’t naturally escalate its power during battle. When evaluating these similar cards, it is clear that the Berserker provides a unique angle of brute force in the red creature lineup of MTG, adding another layer of strategy for players who relish combat-driven playstyles.
Cards similar to Balduvian Berserker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Balduvian Berserker can be a key player in achieving card advantage with its potential to eliminate multiple blockers or threats over time. This can improve your board position and maintain pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: As part of a larger strategy, this creature can function in decks that capitalize on creature-based synergies, potentially accelerating your resource development through various interactions with other cards that reward you for attacking or controlling Berserkers.
Instant Speed: While the Balduvian Berserker itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it pairs well with instant speed spells that protect it or clear the way for its attack. The ability to adjust your strategy on the fly depending on the board state makes it a versatile component in any aggressive MTG deck focusing on combat advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Balduvian Berserker asks players to discard a card, which could deplete their hand especially when needing to maintain card advantage against an opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card necessitates a particular investment of red mana, making it typically viable for mono-red or certain two-color decks, potentially restricting its inclusion in more diverse multicolor strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that sits at the upper end for its creature type and abilities, there are alternatives that could occupy the same slot in your deck while providing lower cost or greater impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Balduvian Berserker in Your Collection
Versatility: Balduvian Berserker can be a dynamic addition to a variety of aggressive decks. Its ability to potentially grow stronger when blocked makes it a flexible threat in combat.
Combo Potential: This card shines in setups focused on damage triggers and “enrage”-like mechanics. Pairing it with cards that can safely deal damage to your own creatures could unlock potent synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Balduvian Berserker’s ability to deter blockers or become an overwhelming force if not dealt with promptly can give it a valid place in the current competitive scene.
How to Beat
The Balduvian Berserker is a challenging card to overcome in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This card can become a substantial threat if left unchecked due to its ability to grow stronger with each hit it takes. Crafting a strategy to combat this aggressive creature is essential.
Successful tactics involve removing it from play before it can become too menacing. Instant speed removals such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can prove effective in dispatching the Berserker swiftly before damage triggers its growth in power. Counter spells are also a solid choice, preventing the Berserker from entering the battlefield in the first place. These methods ensure that your opponent doesn’t get the opportunity to capitalize on the power spike that comes from the Berserker’s resilience.
Employing creatures with power and toughness higher than the Berserker’s can also be a preventative measure. By setting up a defensive wall, you can discourage attacks, or alternatively turn the Berserker’s aggression to your advantage by blocking and eliminating it through combat. A well-planned defense coupled with timely removals will keep your side of the battlefield safe from the Balduvian Berserker’s wrath.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Balduvian Berserker // Balduvian Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Art Series 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 Balduvian Berserker // Balduvian Berserker and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Balduvian Berserker // Balduvian Berserker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Cristi Balanescu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominaria United Art Series | ADMU | 28 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Cristi Balanescu | ||
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 116 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cristi Balanescu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Balduvian Berserker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| 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 Balduvian Berserker 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 | The attacking player chooses whether to tap a creature for an enlist ability immediately after they tap the creatures that they have chosen to attack with. You can’t choose to enlist a creature later. |
| 2022-09-09 | To determine the amount of damage it deals, use Balduvian Berserker’s power as it last existed on the battlefield, not its power in the graveyard. |
| 2022-09-09 | To enlist a creature, that creature must be untapped, it must not be attacking (even if it has vigilance), and it must have haste or have been under that attacking player’s control since the beginning of their current turn. |
| 2022-09-09 | When a player taps a creature for an attacking creature’s enlist ability, that attacking creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the tapped creature’s power. This is a triggered ability that goes on the stack immediately after attackers have been declared in the declare attackers step. |
| 2022-09-09 | You may tap only one creature for an enlist ability of an attacking creature, and a single creature can’t be tapped for more than one enlist ability. |