Bulwark MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Enchantment |
Released | 1998-10-12 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Urza's Saga |
Set code | USG |
Number | 178 |
Frame | 1997 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Brian Snõddy |
Text of card
During your upkeep, Bulwark deals 1 damage to target opponent for each card in your hand greater than the number of cards in that player's hand.
"It will be the goblin's first bath, and its last." —Fire Eye, viashino bey
Cards like Bulwark
Bulwark is an intriguing enchantment that offers a distinct advantage for players with a full hand in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable cards that also take advantage of a player’s hand size include Ivory Tower and Venser’s Journal. Ivory Tower grants life proportional to the number of cards in hand during the upkeep phase, though it doesn’t match the direct damage potential that Bulwark has. Venser’s Journal provides a static life gain for each card held when your turn concludes, contrasting Bulwark’s reliance on continually maintaining a large hand for optimal effect.
Another card worth mentioning is Spellbook, which allows an unlimited hand size, much like Bulwark; however, Spellbook lacks the board influence that comes with dealing damage to opponents according to hand size. It is worth noting that while Spellbook is cost-free, Bulwark comes with a mana investment. The strategy turns less on cost efficiency and more on the tactical advantage of leveraging a bountiful hand to pressure the opponent.
After examining the nuances and overall impact of hand-size-related MTG cards, Bulwark holds its ground as a powerful tool for those who can sustain a substantial hand, affecting all opponents rather than gaining individual benefits. Its uniqueness is characterized by the offensive edge it provides in the right circumstances.
Cards similar to Bulwark by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With the Bulwark card, you increase your defensive capabilities while maintaining card flow. It can effectively counter multiple threats from your opponent, helping to sustain a lead in resources and board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Bulwark may offer cost reduction mechanics or other benefits that enable faster deployment of your strategies. By reinforcing your position, you can potentially outpace your opponent by playing more impactful cards sooner.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Bulwark at instant speed offers tactical flexibility, allowing you to adapt reactively to the evolving state of the game. This gives you the upper hand, as you can wait to assess the opponent’s moves before committing to your own defensive strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Bulwark card demands a discard from your hand to activate its abilities. This can be problematic in situations where your hand is nearly empty or the cards in hand are too valuable to lose, potentially putting you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Bulwark’s activation relies on a specific combination of mana types which could be restrictive for decks that do not readily produce the necessary colors. This limits its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment to get Bulwark in play can be quite heavy, particularly when considering the tempo of the game. Decks that aim for efficiency and early board presence might find this card’s cost prohibitively high, thereby making it a less attractive option in fast-paced games or in metas that favor low-cost strategies.
Reasons to Include Bulwark in Your Collection
Versatility: Bulwark complements an array of defensive strategies, especially in decks that aim to prolong the game or stabilize against aggressive opponents. Its ability to scale with your hand size makes it adaptable to different game states.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that maximize hand size. It can work in tandem with effects that draw multiple cards or have no maximum hand size to create a robust defense virtually impenetrable by standard means.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where longer matches are commonplace, Bulwark’s capacity to continually fortify your defenses becomes increasingly valuable. It shines in metas where resilience and endurance can turn the tides of battle.
How to beat
Bulwark from Magic: The Gathering presents a challenge with its ability to fortify a player’s defenses based on the number of cards they hold. Notably, it has the potential to make combat math tricky by increasing the toughness of a player’s creatures. Unlike other enchantments that provide a static defense boost, Bulwark’s variable nature means that it can sometimes be underestimated. To surmount this obstacle, one must consider strategies that diminish the opponent’s hand size, thus weakening the effect of Bulwark. Discard spells and effects that force the opponent to draw and reveal multiple cards, such as Rankle, Master of Pranks or Nicol Bolas, the Ravager, can turn the tables on a Bulwark-reliant defense by minimizing the hand size advantage.
Another angle of approach would be leveraging spells that don’t care about toughness at all. Cards with -X/-X effects or those that say “destroy target creature” can bypass the toughness boost provided by Bulwark, rendering its advantage null. A smart player will look for opportunities to strip the power of Bulwark away, turning a once formidable defense into a mere paper wall, easily torn down and bypassed to claim victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bulwark MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Bulwark and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bulwark has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bulwark 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 | Counts cards during resolution. |