Barad-dûr MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 253s
2023-06-23 - Number 751
2023-06-23 - Number 704
2023-06-23 - Number 340
2023-06-23 - Number 253
2023-06-23 - Number 425
2023-06-23 - Number 54
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Land |
| Abilities | Amass |
Text of card
Barad-dûr enters the battlefield tapped unless you control a legendary creature. : Add . , : Amass Orcs X. Activate only if a creature died this turn.
"Those who pass the gates of Barad-dûr do not return." —Gandalf
Cards like Barad-dûr
Barad-dûr finds its niche within Magic: The Gathering as a land card with a unique twist. It bears similarity to cards like Dark Depths, which also transform into powerful permanents that can turn the tide of a match. Much like Barad-dûr, Dark Depths does not produce mana in its initial state, with the eventual payoff being a colossal Marit Lage token. Barad-dûr, in this respect, sets itself apart by offering versatility in mana generation post-transformation.
Cards such as Urza’s Saga share a kindred spirit with Barad-dûr when it comes to lands evolving through stages. Urza’s Saga ramps up its abilities with each passing turn, culminating in the creation of a construct and the tutor of an artifact. Similarly, Barad-dûr also progresses through stages, but it’s fixated on a single, monumental payoff. Lands like Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle show another angle—providing immediate value in terms of direct damage to any target, juxtaposing Barad-dûr’s eventual powerful board presence.
Analysing Barad-dûr against its contemporaries, it stands out for its strategic depth and endgame potential, making it a formidable land card that can define player strategies in Magic: The Gathering through its transformation capabilities.
Cards similar to Barad-dûr by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Barad-dûr provides a dynamic way to sift through your deck and ensure you get the cards you need when you need them. Its ability to manipulate draws boosts your chances of maintaining a solid hand throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: With Barad-dûr on the field, you not only get to streamline your deck but also potentially quicken your mana availability. Its interactions with other cards can lead to exponential growth in your resources, paving the way for massive plays earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: The power to react at instant speed with Barad-dûr’s abilities gives you a strategic edge. Use your mana effectively by waiting for the most opportune moment to take advantage of its card filtering or acceleration, keeping your opponents guessing and your options flexible.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With Barad-dûr, the discard requirement could leave players at a disadvantage, particularly when hand size is already diminished or the card selection critical to maintain board presence and strategy execution.
Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for a precise combination of mana types to cast Barad-dûr may not blend smoothly into all deck archetypes, potentially causing inconsistencies in mana bases that aim for a wider color spectrum.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the power and utility offered, Barad-dûr’s mana expense might be viewed as steep, making it a less favorable choice when other lower-costing alternatives might achieve similar objectives with greater ease and flexibility within the curve of a deck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Barad-dûr can serve multiple roles in various deck archetypes, acting as both a formidable deterrent and a powerful asset for control strategies.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to manipulate the battlefield, combined with certain deck synergies, can unlock devastating combinations that can swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where long-term tactics prevail, Barad-dûr’s enduring presence on the field can offer the strategic advantage needed to outlast opponents.
How to beat
Overcoming the presence of Barad-dûr in the Magic: The Gathering arena can be a challenge given its ability to fortify the defenses of its controller. This formidable card requires a strategic approach to dismantle. Assessing when to deploy your removal spells is key to nullifying Barad-dûr’s influence on the game. Efficient use of instant-speed removal can catch an opponent off-guard, stripping away their protection before they can establish dominance.
Additionally, direct enchantment removal or bounce spells effectively counteract Barad-dûr’s impact, allowing for a window of opportunity to press your advantage. Understanding when to hold back and when to aggressively target this defensive bulwark can turn the tides of battle. It’s essential to remember that the priority should be reducing the obstacle it presents to your victory rather than simply reacting to its appearance on the field.
Keep these tactics in mind and with precise timing and the right spells, the towering might of Barad-dûr can be effectively toppled, putting you on a clear path to triumph in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Barad-dûr MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Promos and Tales of Middle-earth Art Series, 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 Barad-dûr and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Barad-dûr Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | Tales of Middle-earth Promos | PLTR | 253s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sean Vo | |
| 2 | Tales of Middle-earth Art Series | ALTR | 54 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 751 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Jonas De Ro | |
| 4 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 704 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sean Vo | |
| 5 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 340 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Jonas De Ro | |
| 6 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 253 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sean Vo | |
| 7 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 425 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Tyler Jacobson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Barad-dûr has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Barad-dûr card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-06-16 | Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army. |
| 2023-06-16 | Amass abilities are now written as "amass -ubtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N." |
| 2023-06-16 | If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters. |
| 2023-06-16 | In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types. |
| 2023-06-16 | Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason. |
| 2023-06-16 | Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs. |
| 2023-06-16 | The legendary creature must already be on the battlefield as the land enters the battlefield. If it enters the battlefield at the same time, the land will enter tapped. |
| 2023-06-16 | To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types. |