Barrow-Blade MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 237
2023-06-23 - Number 688
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +1/+1. Whenever equipped creature blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, that creature loses all abilities until end of turn. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Barrow-Blade
The Barrow-Blade card enriches the pantheon of equipment pieces in MTG, offering another avenue for players to enhance their creatures’ battlefield capabilities. It draws a parallel to cards like Short Sword and Marauder’s Axe, both of which function to boost a creature’s power. However, Barrow-Blade forges ahead with its unique trait that provides the equipped creature with an additional toughness bonus, potentially altering the outcome of combat scenarios.
Likewise, Bone Splitter resonates with Barrow-Blade’s purpose of empowering creatures, though it solely increases the creature’s power without the toughness benefit. While cheaper in terms of equip cost, it lacks the defensive edge that Barrow-Blade can furnish upon a creature. Conversely, the Colossus Hammer presents a case for extreme augmentation, tremendously increasing both power and toughness, albeit with a significant equip cost that demands tactical consideration within a match.
Ultimately, when evaluating the strategic utility of various equipment cards, Barrow-Blade stands out for its balanced offensive and defensive enhancement. Its inclusion in a deck means betwixt the lines of aggression and resilience, often tipping the scales in close combat encounters in the multifaceted game of MTG.
Cards similar to Barrow-Blade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Barrow-Blade card offers a significant edge by potentially replacing itself in your hand. This means that when you deploy the Barrow-Blade, you could end up no worse off in terms of card quantity, maintaining a robust hand size to keep pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Equipped with an ability to bolster your mana pool, the Barrow-Blade can accelerate your resources. This acceleration permits a quicker deployment of more formidable spells, tipping the scales of the match in your favor by ramping up the pressure earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Barrow-Blade at instant speed offers flexible timing. This trait allows players to adapt to the evolving battlefield, making strategic decisions at critical moments to surprise an adversary or to best align with the current game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of the Barrow-Blade card is the necessity to discard another card, which could be a significant pitfall when your hand is already depleting. This can be especially detrimental in formats where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The Barrow-Blade requires a precise combination of mana to play, which might not always be convenient. Decks that don’t run on a streamlined mana base might struggle to find the right resources at the needed time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating this card, it becomes apparent that its mana cost is on the higher end for its effects. In competitive play, players often look for cards that optimize efficiency, thus cards with a lower mana cost could be prioritized over Barrow-Blade for similar benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Barrow-Blade can adapt to various playstyles, serving as a reliable equipment that boosts creature stats. Its low casting cost makes it easy to integrate into numerous deck archetypes, from aggressive builds to more control-oriented strategies.
Combo Potential: With its potential to equip creatures at instant speed, Barrow-Blade can catch opponents off guard, synergizing well with decks that focus on combat tricks or surprise buffs, increasing the effectiveness of your tactical maneuvers.
Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where creature-based strategies are predominant, Barrow-Blade gains significance as it can turn even the smallest creature into a significant threat, aligning it with the tempo of current gameplay dynamics.
How to beat
Barrow-Blade is a noteworthy MTG card that brings versatility and resilience to the battlefield. To effectively counteract this card, it’s essential to understand its strengths. First, Barrow-Blade’s keyword abilities can create a formidable challenge. This can include anything from first strike to indestructible, depending on the scenario. Overcoming these abilities requires a strategic blend of removal spells that bypass its keywords. Cards with direct exile effects, like Path to Exile or targeted bounce spells, such as Unsummon, can clear the way by avoiding combat altogether.
Another efficient tactic is to employ board wipes that don’t target individual creatures, thus nullifying the potential protection from colors or abilities that Barrow-Blade might acquire. Strategies involving -X/-X effects or sacrificing mechanisms can prevail where direct damage or destruction may falter. It’s also wise to consider using cards that strip equipment or enchantments from creatures, thereby reducing Barrow-Blade’s impact on the game. Cards like Disenchant or Shatter can play pivotal roles in leveling the playing field.
Ultimately, the key lies in anticipation and disruption. Keeping a diverse array of answers in your deck to adapt to Barrow-Blade’s variable nature will ensure you’re prepared to dismantle its advantages and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Barrow-Blade MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Barrow-Blade 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
Printings
The Barrow-Blade Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Alexander Mokhov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 237 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 688 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alexander Mokhov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Barrow-Blade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |