Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 39
2023-11-17 - Number 357
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Artifact Land |
| Abilities | Transform |
Text of card
(Transforms from Thousand Moons Smithy.) : Add . Whenever you cast an artifact or creature spell using mana produced by Barracks of the Thousand, create a white Gnome Soldier artifact creature token with "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of artifacts and/or creatures you control."
Cards like Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand
Diving into a side-by-side evaluation, Barracks of the Thousand emerges as a unique asset in Magic: The Gathering. A notable comparison can be made with Outpost Siege, a card that similarly grants an advantage as the game progresses. Both cards emphasize incremental value, but Barracks of the Thousand provides a sturdy line of defence by offering creature tokens. Outpost Siege, in contrast, lacks the ability to directly affect the battlefield with creatures.
Aspiring to the ranks of token-generating enchantments, Legion’s Landing is another card that aligns with Barracks of the Thousand. While Legion’s Landing transforms into a land that can create creature tokens, Barracks of the Thousand consistently assembles a growing army. However, Legion’s Landing shines with its low cost and immediate impact the moment it transforms.
When examining the strategic depth these cards offer, Barracks of the Thousand stands prominent within its own niche. By consistently expanding a player’s forces round by round, it offers a durable tactical edge akin to the celebrated Elspeth, Sun’s Champion, albeit with a focus on quantity over quality. These comparisons reveal the solid potential Barracks of the Thousand holds in the realm of creature token generation in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Barracks of the Thousand elevates your tactical approach in MTG by generating additional tokens each turn. This creates a sustained advantage by increasing the number of creatures you control, enhancing board presence, and pressuring opponents over time.
Resource Acceleration: By consistently amassing soldier tokens, this card aids in developing your forces without dipping into your mana reserves. This leaves more resources available for playing impactful spells or activating abilities, thereby accelerating your strategy and expanding your options on the battlefield.
Instant Speed: The ability to produce tokens at instant speed can be game-changing. Barracks of the Thousand enables reactive play, allowing you to create blockers or apply extra pressure at opportune moments. This level of flexibility makes it challenging for opponents to anticipate your moves and strategically plan their turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Barracks of the Thousand mandates a discard which can be a nontrivial setback, especially if your hand is starved for options or you’re operating a synergy-dependent strategy. Being compelled to discard can derail plans and reduce your ability to respond to an opponent’s moves.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Barracks of the Thousand is not only specific but also a bit restrictive. Aligning with decks that can efficiently produce the necessary mana is imperative. This specificity could potentially exclude it from a diverse range of decks and hinder its utility across varied strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana value you invest into Barracks of the Thousand competes with other prominent cards available in the same mana range. Players might ponder if the benefits derived from Barracks of the Thousand justify its cost, especially when considering the array of alternative plays at this stage of the game.
Reasons to Include Barracks of the Thousand in Your Collection
Versatility: Barracks of the Thousand is a robust addition to decks that are oriented towards creature strategies. Its ability to boost your creatures can be a game-changer in various archetypes, from token decks to those focusing on soldier synergy.
Combo Potential: With its unique ability to create soldier tokens, this card can be harnessed in combination with other cards that capitalize on the presence of numerous creatures. Whether you’re looking to enhance sacrifice mechanics or empower creature-based strategies, this card provides a steady stream of units to fuel your engine.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that has seen creature-based decks rise in dominance, having a card that can consistently generate an army puts you in a commanding position. Barracks of the Thousand aligns well with this trend, ensuring your collection remains competitive as the meta evolves.
How to beat
Barracks of the Thousand brings a unique dynamic to deck building in Magic: The Gathering, where the focus is often on optimizing creature enhancements. This formidable enchantment provides a steady stream of Soldier tokens, bolstering your defenses or mounting an ever-growing offensive line. To effectively counteract this card, one must employ diligent board control strategies.
Removal spells are a key asset in dismantling the advantages provided by Barracks of the Thousand. Options such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the multitude of tokens generated, resetting the board. Alternatively, spot removal like Path to Exile can manage the growth of tokens before they overwhelm you. In the realm of enchantment removal, cards like Disenchant or Naturalize offer a direct solution to eliminate Barracks of the Thousand from the battlefield.
Digging further, keeping pressure with counter spells to prevent Barracks of the Thousand from ever hitting the board is a smart preemptive measure. Remaining vigilant and understanding the rhythm of your opponent’s playstyle can give you the upper hand in ensuring this enchantment never fully activates its potential. In conclusion, managing the game tempo and implementing strategic removals can undermine the strength of Barracks of the Thousand, ensuring your path to victory remains clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Manuel Castañón.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 39 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Manuel Castañón | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 357 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Manuel Castañón |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | An artifact creature you control counts only once towards the Gnome Soldier's power and toughness. |
| 2023-11-10 | Barracks of the Thousand's triggered ability will resolve before the spell that caused it to trigger. |
| 2023-11-10 | The Gnome Soldier's ability will count the Gnome Soldier itself, so it will be at least 1/1. |
| 2023-11-10 | The power and toughness of the Gnome Soldier token will change as the number of artifacts and/or creatures you control changes. |