Ballot Broker MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Creature — Human Advisor |
Released | 2016-08-26 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Conspiracy: Take the Crown |
Set code | CN2 |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 3 |
Number | 13 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Magali Villeneuve |
Text of card
While voting, you may vote an additional time. (The votes can be for different choices or for the same choice.)
"Merchants and politicians differ only in name." —Queen Marchesa
Cards like Ballot Broker
Ballot Broker offers a distinct twist within the roster of influencer cards in Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels to other political cards like Brago’s Representative, which also centralizes the concept of voting during the game. Ballot Broker enables additional votes, much like its counterpart, but stands out by allowing a vote on any proposal, not just for wills of the council.
Examining other cards in this unique niche, Council’s Judgment emerges as a related element in the voting mechanic spectrum. It doesn’t allow extra votes like Ballot Broker, yet it gives players the power to collectively decide the fate of any nonland permanent, arguably offering a broader impact on the game state. Additionally, Expropriate is worth mentioning despite its higher mana cost; it increases stakes by potentially granting extra turns or snatching permanents based on vote outcomes, underscoring the potent force of MTG’s voting mechanics.
While Ballot Broker excels in a more focused approach, fostering alliances and collaborative strategies, these alternative voting catalyst cards present varied levels of strategic depth and game-changing potency across the political playstyle landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ballot Broker synergizes well with voting mechanics, potentially offering multiple choices and outcomes during a single decision point. This can cause you to gain incremental advantages over the course of a match, as each vote can sway the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that capitalize on the Council’s Dilemma or Will of the Council mechanics, the Ballot Broker can turn political savvy into a form of resource acceleration. By influencing votes, you can steer the game towards outcomes that may provide extra resources or deny them to opponents.
Instant Speed: Although the Ballot Broker itself may not operate at instant speed, it complements instant-speed spells and abilities that interact with voting. It ensures that during pivotal moments of decision, you have the upper hand in negotiations, setting up favorable conditions for instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ballot Broker necessitates pitching away a precious card from your hand. This can play to your detriment, especially during the late game when maintaining card advantage is critical for outmaneuvering opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a precise mix of white mana, Ballot Broker can be restrictive for multi-colored decks, often necessitating a well-tuned mana base to play without hiccups reliably.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing three mana might seem steep when you’re aiming for board presence or looking for cost-efficient ways to impact the game. Given this, some players may find other options more appealing for their strategies.
Reasons to Include Ballot Broker in Your Collection
Versatility: Ballot Broker seamlessly integrates into various deck styles, especially those that pivot on parliamentarian themes or politics within multiplayer formats such as Commander.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to influence vote mechanics can be combined with other vote-centric cards, enhancing decks that capitalize on council’s dilemma and will of the council effects.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts to incorporate more interactive and decision-based gameplay, Ballot Broker’s influence can become a crucial tool in pivotal game moments, offering a strategic edge in both casual and competitive playgroups.
How to Beat Ballot Broker
Ballot Broker emerges as a unique card in MTG, focusing on the consept of voting—a twist that can certainly sway the direction of multiplayer games. To effectively counteract Ballot Broker, it’s key to control the voting process or turn it to your advantage. Tactics such as employing cards that limit opponents’ choices or abilities to vote can stifle the potential impact of Ballot Broker.
Another strategy is to use instant-speed removal when Ballot Broker’s influence becomes too great or just before a critical vote is about to take place. Cards like Murder or Fatal Push allow you to efficiently deal with it on the fly. Alternatively, running counter spells shields you from the initial casting of Ballot Broker, keeping the political play at bay. Cards such as Negate or Counterspell can be invaluable in this regard.
Understanding the dynamics at your table and having a grip on the flow of votes are also crucial. In multiplayer settings, it’s essential to form alliances and ensure that the Ballot Broker doesn’t give any one player too much power. A well-crafted game plan that recognizes and adjusts to the political nature of the game whenever Ballot Broker is in play can be your winning strategy.
BurnMana Recommendations
Delving into the intricate tactics of MTG, the Ballot Broker emerges as a nuanced addition to any collection, flourishing within vote-driven mechanics. This card reshapes the decision-making landscape, offering unique strategies especially favoured in multiplayer encounters. It’s essential to pair it with cards that complement its council-enabling prowess, bolstering your position in the game’s political theater. Are you poised to make the votes count in your favour or eager to explore more hidden gems in MTG’s vast card pool? Dive deeper, strengthen your deck’s synergy, and uncover powerful combos with Ballot Broker. Continue your journey towards strategic dominance with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ballot Broker MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Ballot Broker 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ballot Broker has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ballot Broker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2016-08-23 | Ballot Broker’s ability is cumulative. If you control two of them, you can vote up to three times. |
2016-08-23 | The ability only affects spells and abilities that use the word “vote.” Other cards that involve choices, such as Archangel of Strife, are unaffected. |
2016-08-23 | You make all your votes at the same time. Players who vote after you will know all of your votes when making their own. |
2016-08-23 | You must make your initial vote, even if you decline to vote an additional time. |