Beast of Burden MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 122
1999-02-15 - Number 122
1999-02-15 - Number 122†
2001-04-11 - Number 287★
2001-04-11 - Number 287
2003-07-28 - Number 292★
2003-07-28 - Number 292
2005-07-29 - Number 288
2005-07-29 - Number 288★
2005-08-22 - Number J25
2002-06-24 - Number 32198
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Golem |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | * |
Text of card
Beast of Burden has power and toughness each equal to the total number of creatures in play.
"If it is meant to be nothing but a machine," Karn finally asked Jhoira, "why did Urza build it to be like me?"
Cards like Beast of Burden
The card Beast of Burden holds a unique place in Magic The Gathering as it directly reflects the number of creatures on the battlefield. In terms of similar cards, Soul of New Phyrexia is a creature that shares the same dynamic nature, changing its power and toughness according to the game state. Unlike Beast of Burden, it offers a formidable ability to make your permanents indestructible for a turn, albeit at a higher mana cost.
Another card worthy of comparison is Adaptive Automaton. Though not directly mirroring the power and toughness factor, it allows for an increase in strength among other creatures of the chosen type, providing a consistent and predictable bonus. On the other hand, Beast of Burden’s power fluctuates with the ever-changing battlefield, making it a variable player can manipulate.
Lastly, we have Crystalline Giant, a card that grows in capability each turn through a random keyword acquisition. While it doesn’t modify its power and toughness as directly, this incremental growth in abilities can sometimes outweigh a simple numerical increase that Beast of Burden offers.
When comparing these alternatives, Beast of Burden offers an interesting combination of simplicity and variable strength that can make it a wild card in creature-heavy decks in Magic The Gathering.
Cards similar to Beast of Burden by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Beast of Burden shines in decks that swell their board with numerous creatures. This power fluctuation can overwhelm opponents, especially in multiplayer formats where creature presence is abundant, potentially swinging games in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Beast of Burden itself doesn’t directly offer mana ramp, its heavy reliance on a developed board state encourages strategies that do. Decks that deploy Beast of Burden often incorporate methods to generate creatures rapidly, indirectly accelerating your resource availability.
Instant Speed: Although Beast of Burden operates at sorcery speed, it synergizes well with spells and abilities that create creature tokens at instant speed. This allows for tactical flexibility, enabling you to increase Beast of Burden’s power unexpectedly during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One factor to consider is that Beast of Burden, while not requiring a discard itself, may prompt a player to prioritize playing other creatures to enhance its power. This could lead to a potential disadvantage if it ever comes to a situation where choosing what to keep in hand and what to play becomes critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Beast of Burden demands a specific mana configuration to be cast—six colorless mana. This can be challenging in multi-colored decks that may struggle to meet this requirement or could otherwise utilize the mana for more pressing spells in the midst of a game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost for deploying Beast of Burden is substantially high at six mana. Considering this investment, in an environment where the battlefield is regularly swept clear of creatures, its utility may diminish, potentially making it a burdensome card to hold onto without the right board state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Beast of Burden’s power adjusts dynamically to the number of creatures on the battlefield, making it a formidable threat in creature-heavy decks or any board state where creatures are abundant.
Combo Potential: Its ever-changing strength can be leveraged in combination with cards that benefit from high power values, like those that might deal damage or draw cards equal to a creature’s power.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where the board is often crowded with tokens or multiple creatures, Beast of Burden shines by continuously growing in strength, presenting a challenge for your opponents to address.
How to beat
Beast of Burden presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, as it gains strength with every creature present on the field, not just your own. With its power and toughness each equal to the number of creatures on the battlefield, it can quickly become a formidable foe. To counter this dynamic threat, removal spells are your best bet. Consider using instant speed removals like Path to Exile or Fatal Push to dispatch the Beast before it becomes too large.
Another strategy is to limit creature play when facing an opponent with Beast of Burden. By playing fewer creatures, or using board wipes like Wrath of God, you reduce the potency of the Beast’s power. Additionally, taking advantage of sacrifice effects can be an effective tactic. Cards that compel an opponent to sacrifice a creature enforce a choice that could weaken the Beast of Burden’s presence significantly.
In essence, controlling the number of creatures on the battlefield and having the right removal tools at your disposal are crucial tactics in overcoming Beast of Burden. Keeping these strategies in mind will ensure that this seemingly unstoppable force meets its match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Beast of Burden MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Urza's Legacy Promos, 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 Beast of Burden 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 Beast of Burden Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 122 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy Promos | PULG | 122 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 3 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy Promos | PULG | 122† | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 287★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 287 | 1997 | Normal | White | Chippy | |
| 6 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 32198 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | ||
| 7 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 292★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 8 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 292 | 2003 | Normal | White | Chippy | |
| 9 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 288 | 2003 | Normal | White | Chippy | |
| 10 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 288★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 11 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | J25 | 2003 | Normal | White | Chippy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Beast of Burden has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |