Broodstar MTG Card

Broodstar’s affinity reduces its cost, making it a potentially cheap heavyweight in artifact-rich decks. Perfect for synergy with instant-speed artifact plays, it can unexpectedly alter the game’s pace. Restrictive blue mana cost and potential early-game expense are downsides to consider in deck construction.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 31

Planechase (HOP)
2009-09-04 - Number 8

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number MRD-31

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	10
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Beast
Abilities	Affinity,Flying
Power	*
Toughness	*

Text of card

Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs less to play for each artifact you control.) Flying Broodstar's power and toughness are each equal to the number of artifacts you control.

Cards like Broodstar

Broodstar from Magic: The Gathering offers a unique twist on artifact-centered strategies. Its affinity for artifacts mechanic significantly reduces its cost, much like the renowned Thoughtcast. Thoughtcast grants card draw at a potentially lower cost, but lacks the physical board presence offered by Broodstar. Both play into the strength of artifact-heavy decks, maximizing value from the number of artifacts in play.

Another comparable card is Myr Enforcer, which also benefits from the affinity for artifacts cost reduction. While Myr Enforcer provides substantial power and toughness on the battlefield with no additional abilities, Broodstar’s potential size increase and flying attribute make it a formidable presence in the air. Cranial Plating is a notable equipment that synergizes well with Broodstar, as it can exponentially increase its power based on the number of artifacts controlled.

Examining the synergy and impact of cards like Broodstar helps players craft powerful artifact-based strategies in their Magic: The Gathering decks. The pairing of cost reduction and formidable abilities makes Broodstar a valuable asset, especially when the battlefield is teeming with artifacts.

Cards similar to Broodstar by color, type and mana cost

Octavia, Living Thesis - MTG Card versions

Myojin of Seeing Winds - MTG Card versions

Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Broodstar’s affinity for artifacts can significantly reduce its casting cost, while its power and toughness are each equal to the number of artifacts you control. This provides a strong incentive to play with a high number of artifacts, thus increasing the likelihood of having an abundance of options available to you. This card can swing the game in your favor by making each artifact you draw and play potentially lower Broodstar’s cost and bolster its power.

Resource Acceleration: In a deck built around artifacts, Broodstar quickly becomes a formidable asset. By potentially costing less mana for a significant creature, it acts as a natural accelerant. Not only does this allow for more efficient use of resources, but it also frees up mana for other strategic plays or leaving enough open for counterspells and removals.

Instant Speed: While Broodstar itself doesn’t function at instant speed, it synergizes well with artifacts that do. Cards that allow you to flash in artifacts can instantly boost Broodstar’s size as a surprise during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. This can lead to advantageous blocks or unexpected lethal attacks, heavily swaying the tide of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not directly requiring discard, Broodstar’s affinity mechanic means that it benefits you to have more artifacts in play. Therefore, having to discard artifacts goes against the benefit of reducing Broodstar’s mana cost, potentially diluting its power if you’re forced to trim your artifact count due to game conditions.

Specific Mana Cost: Broodstar requires blue mana to cast. This cost confines it to decks that either run blue or have a sufficient mana base to accommodate blue spells. Also, because Broodstar’s affinity for artifacts discounts only the colorless portion of its mana cost, you’ll always need at least two blue mana to cast it, which can be restrictive.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost of eight mana, Broodstar’s cost can be a hurdle, especially in the early game or in a game state where artifact count is low. Even though its affinity ability can reduce this cost significantly, in situations where you’re unable to develop your board with artifacts, you may find Broodstar prohibitively expensive compared to other threats you could deploy.

Reasons to Include Broodstar in Your Collection

Versatility: Broodstar’s ability to benefit from the number of artifacts you control makes it adaptable to a variety of deck styles. Be it aggressive artifact-centric builds or defensive control strategies, this card scales well as the game progresses.

Combo Potential: With its affinity for artifacts, Broodstar can be played for much less mana in the right deck. This opens up potential for combos with cards that generate a swarm of artifact tokens, significantly reducing its casting cost and presenting a formidable threat early on.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-changing MTG landscape, having a card that can quickly become a major powerhouse as you amass artifacts can give you an edge. Particularly in environments where artifacts are prevalent, Broodstar can serve as an ace up your sleeve, capable of swinging the tide of battle in your favor.

How to Beat Broodstar

Broodstar manifests in the MTG arena as a formidable presence, boasting a cost-reducing affinity for artifacts which can make it an intimidating opponent on the battlefield. Its power and toughness are proportionate to the number of artifacts you control, making it potentially massive in the right deck. However, even the most colossal creatures have their Achilles’ heel.

To topple this metal behemoth, the key lies in disrupting the very foundation it relies on: artifacts. Artifact removal spells such as Shatter or Disenchant can be effective tools for dismantling your opponent’s board, directly weakening Broodstar consequently. Similarly, cards like Relic of Progenitus provide an avenue to control your opponent’s graveyard and prevent the recursion of destroyed artifacts. Counter magic also offers a preemptive solution to stop Broodstar from hitting the field in the first place, a strategy blue mages are well versed in.

Board wipes, a staple in many decks, can reset the battlefield entirely. Supreme Verdict and Wrath of God are just a couple of examples that can sweep away Broodstar along with the artifacts bolstering its power. In essence, focusing on artifact control and strategic removal can enable any mage to triumph over the might of the Broodstar.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Broodstar MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Planechase, 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 Broodstar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Broodstar Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Glen Angus.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD	31	2003	Normal	Black	Glen Angus
2	2009-09-04	Planechase	HOP	8	2003	Normal	Black	Glen Angus
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	MRD-31	2003	Normal	Black	Glen Angus

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Broodstar has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal