Barge In MTG Card

Barge In can shift board control through surprise combat advantages, despite not offering direct card draw. Instant speed allows strategic flexibility, making Barge In a versatile pick in rapidly changing games. Unique among combat tricks, it can support aggressive strategies and maintain pressure with trample.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Throne of Eldraine
Set code	ELD
Number	112
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Behm

Text of card

Target attacking creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Each attacking non-Human creature gains trample until end of turn.

The giant had heard of locks, but he had yet to discover a door he couldn't open.

Cards like Barge In

Barge In is a unique combat trick in Magic: The Gathering that boosts the attacking capabilities of your creatures. It’s akin to cards such as Sure Strike, which also provides a temporary power bump. Yet, Barge In stands out because it has the added benefit of granting trample to a target attacking creature. This enables you to push through excess damage even when the target is blocked. Sure Strike, while it gifts a larger power increase and first strike, does not offer the trample ability that can be crucial in certain combat scenarios.

Comparatively, we have Run Amok, another instant that buffs an attacking creature and gives it trample as well. However, Barge In is lower on the mana curve with only a single red mana requirement, making it easier to cast in fast-paced games. On the other side, there’s Invigorated Rampage, offering flexibility with its two modes but at double the casting cost of Barge In. While it gives a greater power boost and can target two creatures, the lower cost of Barge In can be more efficient in a tightly curated aggressive deck.

Given these points, Barge In can be an important card for players looking to optimize their attack phase without committing too much mana, making it a valuable asset in aggressive red strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Barge In by color, type and mana cost

March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Barge In. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Naya Feather	Gladiator		Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 13 2024
R	Pauper		Pauper Challenge 64 2023-12-10 (1)
Gruul Aggro	Pioneer	Gruul Dinosaurs	NRG Series $5,000 Trial - Madison, Wisconsin (Pioneer)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Barge In does not directly permit you to draw cards, it still offers a nuanced form of card advantage. By enabling a less powerful creature to take down a more robust blocker or push through for the final points of damage, it can help you maintain a creature advantage on the board, which is just as critical in the long run.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration isn’t typically associated with combat tricks, but Barge In provides an indirect form. By saving your creatures during combat or making them more formidable, you effectively accelerate your game plan by ensuring your offensive resources remain on the table and can be used for subsequent attacks.

Instant Speed: The real strength of Barge In lies in its instant speed. This allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during combat to surprise your opponent, potentially creating favorable exchanges or swinging the game in your favor. Being able to adapt to the board state at instant speed gives you significant strategic flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unleash Barge In’s potential, players often need to discard another card, which can strain your hand, especially when resources are running thin.

Specific Mana Cost: Barge In demands red mana, which restricts its inclusion primarily to red or multicolored decks, potentially excluding it from a wide range of other deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an aggressive strategy, spending two mana might be less appealing compared to other low-cost cards that could advance your board state or disrupt your opponent more effectively.

Reasons to Include Barge In in Your Collection

Versatility: Barge In offers instant speed interaction, which means it can be a surprise element in combat. This can turn the tide in creature-heavy decks or those that want to capitalize on sudden trample ability to push through extra damage.

Combo Potential: For decks that focus on increasing the power of a single creature, Barge In enhances that strategy by not only giving a creature a power boost but also ensuring that excess damage isn’t wasted. This can pair well with cards that benefit from damage dealt or creatures dying as a result of trample over smaller blockers.

Meta-Relevance: With aggressive strategies often having a place in various metagames, Barge In ensures that your attackers can bypass chump blockers to maintain pressure on the opponent. It’s excellent for a meta with plenty of smaller creatures or if you need to close out games quickly against slower, control-oriented decks.

How to beat

Barge In is an intriguing combat trick that can unexpectedly turn the tides in a player’s favor, introducing an additional element of surprise to Magic: The Gathering matches. Similar to other combat tricks, Barge In can provide a creature with a sudden boost that might catch an opponent off guard. Despite its potential, there are strategies to effectively counter this card and mitigate its impact during play.

To combat Barge In, it’s essential to be wary of unspent mana and an opponent’s untapped red mana, especially during the combat phase. Holding up instant-speed removal or bounce spells that can disrupt your opponent before they declare attackers can be an effective way to diminish Barge In’s advantage. Cards like Essence Scatter or Unsummon are practical options to consider in such situations, allowing you to either neutralize the targeted creature or return it to an opponent’s hand.

Ultimately, staying ahead in the mind game and maintaining awareness of combat trick possibilities such as Barge In can give you the upper hand. By analyzing the battlefield and predicting your opponent’s moves, you can ensure that Barge In doesn’t catch you unprepared and turn a promising game in your opponent’s favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barge In MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Barge In and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barge In has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Barge In card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-10-04	If the target attacking creature is an illegal target by the time Barge In tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. Your attacking non-Human creatures won't gain trample.