Bartel Runeaxe MTG Card
Text of card
Bartel Runeaxe cannot be the target of enchant creature spells. Attacking does not cause Bartel Runeaxe to tap.
Thundering down from Hammerheim, no foe could slow Bartel's charge.
Cards like Bartel Runeaxe
Bartel Runeaxe stands out in the realm of older legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This iconic figure is akin to other legends of the same era, such as Lady Orca and Sir Shandlar of Eberyn, which also have high casting costs and modest abilities compared to today’s standards. Bartel Runeaxe, distinct with its immunity to abilities of Aura spells, gives it a resilience against certain control strategies that target creatures. In contrast, Lady Orca lacks this protection, though compensates with a higher power.
Examining Telim’Tor, there’s a notable difference in the utility of these commanders; while both herald from earlier sets and provide unique abilities, Telim’Tor offers a more offensive power play by bolstering attacking creatures. Bartel Runeaxe, on the other hand, is more defensive, ensuring its own survival on the battlefield. This grants it an advantage in metagames where enchantment-based removal is prevalent.
These comparisons highlight the evolutionary path of legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering – from the simple, yet hardy heroes of the past to the multi-faceted commanders of today. Each card, including Bartel Runeaxe, has its niche depending on a player’s strategy and the deck’s overarching theme.
Cards similar to Bartel Runeaxe by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Bartel Runeaxe doesn’t draw cards directly, this viking’s inherent abilities make it a formidable presence that often requires multiple resources from your opponents to handle. This can lead to a kind of indirect card advantage, as you are effectively trading one card for potentially several of your opponent’s cards.
Resource Acceleration: As a legendary creature, Bartel Runeaxe can be a central piece in decks that focus on resource acceleration. With the right setup, such as mana-producing creatures or land-fetch spells, you can deploy Bartel Runeaxe earlier than turn four. This can put you at a massive advantage as you start capitalizing on its abilities sooner in the game.
Instant Speed: Although Bartel Runeaxe doesn’t function at instant speed, its ability to be immune to Polymorph effects—turning it into a creature without such abilities—allows you to maintain a constant board presence. Your strategy can be executed without worrying about losing your Commander to a sudden spell, making your instant speed tricks and responses more effective while Bartel stands ready.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Bartel Runeaxe doesn’t directly require you to discard cards, its spot in your deck might displace other cards that could provide a more immediate benefit. Its specific role may lead to strategic discards to optimize your deck’s performance.
Specific Mana Cost: Bartel Runeaxe demands a varied mana input — one red, one green, and one black, plus three generic mana. This tri-colored demand restricts him primarily to commander decks tailored around his color identity, potentially limiting his use across the wider range of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Six mana total, with a tri-color condition, is steep for a creature. When assessing the mana curve of your deck, particularly in formats demanding fast play or lower curves, Bartel Runeaxe might not make the cut due to more cost-effective creatures being available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Bartel Runeaxe stands out thanks to its inherent shroud ability, making it a solid choice for commander decks that need resilient threats. Its ability to shrug off targeted removal ensures it remains a persistent presence on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: While not a combo engine in itself, Bartel Runeaxe can safely support high-impact combos by staying on the board, unaffected by spot removal that could disrupt your strategy, allowing you to set up your game-winning moves.
Meta-Relevance: In metas dominated by voltron strategies and targeted removal, Bartel Runeaxe shines as it cannot be easily dealt with by such tactics. Its presence can often dictate the flow of the game, compelling opponents to find alternative ways to handle it.
How to beat Bartel Runeaxe
Bartel Runeaxe stands as a formidable commander in MTG, boasting hexproof from abilities that aren’t mana abilities, a trait not often encountered. Commanding a premium of six mana to cast, its robustness in battle is noteworthy. For players facing this Viking warrior, enchantment-based removal is futile, necessitating a strategic shift.
Combat tricks serve as apt counters, with options such as board wipes or sacrifice effects bypassing Runeaxe’s hexproof advantage. Doom Blade, for instance, is ineffectual, but a well-timed Wrath of God can neutralize the threat seamlessly. Prioritizing spells that don’t target or utilizing global effects will be key. It’s essential to adapt your strategy and reserve these resources, as Runeaxe can quickly become a recurrent menace from the command zone if not handled wisely.
In essence, while Bartel Runeaxe can dictate the flow of the battle and resist targeted removal, its invulnerability isn’t absolute. Adjusting removal tactics and maintaining a diverse arsenal, including non-targeted wrath and edict effects, is paramount to securing victory against this legendary figure.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bartel Runeaxe MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Bartel Runeaxe and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Bartel Runeaxe Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Andi Rusu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 222 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Andi Rusu | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 145 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Andi Rusu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bartel Runeaxe has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bartel Runeaxe card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Bartel Runeaxe can be targeted by the abilities of enchantments, including Auras. |
| 2004-10-04 | This card can be enchanted by moving Auras onto it. The “can’t be the target” text is different from “can’t be enchanted” in that it only applies to Aura spells when they are being cast. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.