Chromatic Armor MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 1995-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ice Age |
| Set code | ICE |
| Number | 283 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Poole |
Text of card
When Chromatic Armor comes into play, put a sleight counter on it and choose a color. Any damage dealt to target creature by a source of that color is reduced to 0. oo X Put a sleight counter on Chromatic Armor and change the color that it protects against. X is equal to the number of sleight counters on Chromatic Armor.
Cards like Chromatic Armor
Chromatic Armor offers a unique addition to the plethora of enchantment options within Magic: The Gathering, distinguishing itself with the versatility of granting creature protection based on the color of mana paid. This card is akin to other equipment and enchantments like Spectra Ward, which also provides a means of protection from all colors, though without the flexible mana aspect. The Spectra Ward’s static ability shields a creature from every color, whereas the Chromatic Armor adds a layer of strategy, enabling players to adapt to ever-changing board states.
Likewise, we find Alexi’s Cloak in this mix, bestowing shroud upon a creature. While it protects from targeted spells or abilities regardless of color, it lacks the dynamic nature of Chromatic Armor, which can respond to multicolored threats by allocating mana as needed. On the defense spectrum, we also see Pentarch Ward, offering both protection and card draw. Though the protection is restricted to the chosen color, it’s less flexible than the reactive shield Chromatic Armor can deploy.
Assessing the characteristics and adaptability of Chromatic Armor, it is clear that its strategic flexibility could provide significant advantage to players looking to outmaneuver their opponents’ color-based threats in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Chromatic Armor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Chromatic Armor card is a great addition to decks looking to enhance their card advantage. It can potentially draw multiple cards throughout the game, keeping your hand full and options open.
Resource Acceleration: This multicolored piece of equipment can significantly ramp up your mana resources. By providing you with various mana colors, it facilitates casting spells quicker and more efficiently, which can be crucial for outpacing your opponents.
Instant Speed: One of the key features of Chromatic Armor is its ability to be equipped at instant speed. This flexibility allows players to adapt to the flow of the game, making strategic moves during either player’s turn for optimal gameplay and surprise factor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Chromatic Armor, equipping your creature comes with the downside of needing to discard a card. For players who may already be facing a shortage of options in their hand, this demand can be a significant setback, potentially leaving you in a more vulnerable position on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Chromatic Armor’s utility is also limited by its specific mana requirements. To cast and make full use of this card, you need a rather diverse mana base, which can be challenging for decks that aren’t tailored to accommodate such demands. This can restrict the card’s inclusion to multicolored decks or those with a good amount of mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s higher than some might expect for such an effect, Chromatic Armor may not always be the most mana-efficient choice when deck building. There are alternatives in the realm of equipment or aura spells that may offer a more cost-effective way to enhance your creatures without putting as much strain on your mana resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Chromatic Armor offers a broad range of applications across various deck archetypes. Its ability to grant protection from colors of your choice makes it a strong defensive option regardless of your opponent’s strategy.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Chromatic Armor can be the linchpin in powerful combos. Its color protection enhances creatures in a way that can interact favorably with multicolor spells or abilities, synergizing well with many strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given that the MTG landscape often features a diverse mix of deck styles, Chromatic Armor remains relevant. It can be especially crucial in metas dominated by decks that rely heavily on targeted spells or abilities, providing a resilient solution for your creatures.
How to beat
Chromatic Armor can be an intricate card to navigate around in Magic: The Gathering. This enchantment provides a unique layer of protection, allowing the enchanted creature the ability to be immune to all colors as long as you have a land for each color. This effectively makes it a formidable shield against most targeted removals and spells that rely on color-specific interactions.
To counteract Chromatic Armor, players need to look at colorless options or utilize spells and abilities that don’t target creatures directly. Board wipes that affect all creatures, such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation,” circumvent the color-protection by not singling out the enchanted creature specifically. Utilizing sacrificial effects, which force the opponent to choose a creature to sacrifice, can also provide a solution without engaging with the color protection. “Diabolic Edict” and “Liliana of the Veil” are perfect examples of this strategy.
Mastering your approach against Chromatic Armor hinges on understanding the mechanics of protection in MTG and exploiting weaknesses in the opponent’s defenses. By adjusting your strategy to include non-color dependent interactions, you can tilt the scales back in your favor and overcome this tricky enchantment.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chromatic Armor MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Chromatic Armor 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chromatic Armor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |