Balduvian Trading Post MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 137
2008-09-22 - Number 226
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
When Balduvian Trading Post comes into play, sacrifice an untapped mountain or bury Balduvian Trading Post. oc T: Add o1o R to your mana pool. o1, oc T: Balduvian Trading Post deals 1 damage to target attacking creature.
Cards like Balduvian Trading Post
The allure of Balduvian Trading Post in MTG lies in its multipurpose utility as both a land and a damage dealer. It mirrors the functions of cards like Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep, allowing you to tap for mana or activate an ability to gain control over the game. However, what distinguishes Balduvian Trading Post is its ability to deal damage to attacking creatures, providing a defensive edge reminiscent of Maze of Ith’s creature nullification, without the land producing any mana.
Diving deeper, the comparison with Keldon Megaliths is inevitable. While both cards offer direct damage capabilities, Keldon Megaliths requires no creatures on the battlefield and is limited to hitting players. Balduvian Trading Post, on the other hand, focuses on protecting you from incoming threats by targeting attacking creatures. The versatility of the trading post is what sets it apart from its counterparts as it weaves land utility with instant impact on the board state.
Lastly, when pitted against utility lands within MTG, Balduvian Trading Post delivers strategic value for players seeking to combine mana generation with tactical defense, solidifying its unique position in the multiverse of land cards.
Cards similar to Balduvian Trading Post by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Balduvian Trading Post offers an alternative draw engine in gameplay, enabling players to discard cards they currently don’t need in exchange for new ones from their deck. This can be a pivotal move for finding key cards or simply refreshing your hand, essential in the long game.
Resource Acceleration: This land stands out in its ability to not only provide mana but to function as a utility card. While it doesn’t directly generate additional resources, its trading ability can streamline a player’s strategy by filtering out unnecessary cards and increasing the chances of drawing into more useful resources.
Instant Speed: The Post’s defensive ability can be activated at instant speed, providing a flexible and timely response to incoming threats. This feature allows players to remain adaptable, holding back on deploying the ability until the most opportune moment, which can significantly impact the pace and outcome of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Balduvian Trading Post demands a card be discarded upon activation of its ability. For players who are managing their hand with care, this cost could deplete valuable resources and hinder strategic plays.
Specific Mana Cost: Activation of the land’s abilities requires not just generic but also red mana. This requirement confines the card to decks that can produce red mana, reducing its versatility in multicolor or non-red decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that includes both mana and a discard, the Post’s abilities are costly when compared to other lands or cards with similar functionality. This can make it a less attractive option in a deck where efficiency and speed are crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Balduvian Trading Post is an adaptatable addition to a broad spectrum of decks. With its ability to produce mana or serve as a defensive mechanism, it ensures that players have options regardless of the state of play.
Combo Potential: Its damage dealing ability can be easily integrated into strategies that capitalize on direct damage or “ping” tactics. Moreover, it can be a crucial piece in decks that utilize damage triggers for additional effects or synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of game formats, Balduvian Trading Post maintains relevancy by providing both a land that doesn’t come into play tapped and a repeatable source of damage. This is especially pertinent in metas where utility lands are key to outmaneuvering opponents.
How to Beat
Balduvian Trading Post is a dual-purpose land in the Magic: The Gathering arena that presents a unique challenge when faced across the table. It provides not only mana but also has a built-in damage ability that can be tricky to navigate for the unprepared player. To effectively disarm this versatile card, strategy and tact are paramount.
First, prioritize land destruction or strategies that disrupt mana bases to limit its dual utility. Cards like Ghost Quarter or Field of Ruin can target and replace the Trading Post, curbing your opponent’s tactical advantage early on. It’s also beneficial to apply pressure with creatures that must be answered, forcing your opponent to choose between using the Post’s ability and advancing their board state.
Another avenue is utilizing counterspells to thwart the initial casting of spells that your opponent aims to protect with the Post’s direct damage function. By keeping their mana tied up in an attempt to preserve their spells, you gain tempo and the upper hand. In summary, with thought-out timing and strategic land interaction, Balduvian Trading Post’s influence can be mitigated, clearing the path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Balduvian Trading Post MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters Edition II, 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 Trading Post and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Balduvian Trading Post Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Tom Wänerstrand.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 137 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 226 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tom Wänerstrand |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Balduvian Trading Post has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Balduvian Trading Post card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | This card produces two different types of mana. If an effect that adds one mana to your mana pool of the same type as the mana produced by this card, you choose which of the two types it produces. |
| 2004-10-04 | You sacrifice the Mountain before this card is put onto the battlefield, and do so no matter how it is put onto the battlefield. |