Citizen's Crowbar MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Artifact — Equipment |
Abilities | Equip |
Released | 2022-04-29 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Streets of New Capenna |
Set code | SNC |
Number | 8 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Slawomir Maniak |
Text of card
When Citizen's Crowbar enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 green and white Citizen creature token, then attach Citizen's Crowbar to it. Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has ", , Sacrifice Citizen's Crowbar: Destroy target artifact or enchantment." Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Citizen's Crowbar
In the realm of versatile artifact destruction, Citizen’s Crowbar emerges as a solid choice within Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparisons with Shatter, a classic staple in red decks devoted to eliminating artifacts. While Shatter offers the straightforward approach of destroying target artifact for two mana, Citizen’s Crowbar introduces flexibility with its sacrifice option, granting the potential for accelerated use.
Another close relative in utility is Naturalize, allowing players to destroy an artifact or enchantment at a similar mana cost. However, Citizen’s Crowbar forgoes the possibility to address enchantments, choosing instead to focus exclusively on artifacts. This specialization can be advantageous in artifact-heavy metagames. Additionally, the Crowbar gives a nod to Smash to Smithereens, providing the coveted artifact obliteration but misses the opportunity to inflict direct damage to the opponent, a notable aspect in aggressive strategies.
To summarize, Citizen’s Crowbar fits strategically into the family of artifact removal cards in Magic: The Gathering. With functionalities specific to artifacts and different tactical possibilities, it has aspects that make it stand out, especially in scenarios where artifacts dominate the field and instant speed is key.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Citizen's Crowbar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | ||
Esper Stoneblade | Legacy | Esper Stoneblade | Legacy League 2024-04-05 | |
Selesnya Midrange | Pioneer | Selesnya Tokens | Sat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023 | |
Azorius Tokens | Standard | Azorius Tokens | Standard Last Chance 2023-11-29 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Citizen’s Crowbar can potentially provide a sustainable card advantage by enabling its controller to recycle it for repeated use, especially in decks designed to retrieve artifacts from the graveyard.
Resource Acceleration: When paired with cards that discount artifact costs or benefit from artifact synergies, this card can act as a catalyst, accelerating your resource development and paving the way for more powerful plays.
Instant Speed: Its ability to be activated at instant speed gives players the flexibility to respond to threats or opportunities dynamically, making it a versatile tool in any game situation.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Citizen’s Crowbar necessitates the discarding of a card, which could be a setback when your hand is already depleted. This requirement often makes it difficult for players to maintain card advantage, a key aspect in many MTG strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Citizen’s Crowbar’s ability is tied to a particular mana cost, which means deck builders have to ensure consistent access to that mana type, potentially limiting deck versatility. It can be a challenge to include in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Relative to other options in the game, Citizen’s Crowbar comes with a higher mana investment for its effects. Whether the trade-off is worth it depends on the deck’s strategy and the available card pool, but some players may find more cost-efficient alternatives to provide similar benefits without such a steep mana requirement.
Reasons to Include Citizen’s Crowbar in Your Collection
Versatility: Citizen’s Crowbar is a noteworthy inclusion for a broad range of decks, with its ability to act as both an artifact and a source of creature removal or permanent control.
Combo Potential: Its capacity to enable or complement artifact-centric combos is significant, particularly for deck builders who are looking to harness the synergies between artifact manipulation and gameplay mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the meta, Citizen’s Crowbar maintains its relevance as it can adapt to various competitive environments, disrupting your opponent’s strategies by targeting vital permanents.
How to beat
Citizen’s Crowbar has emerged as a noteworthy card in MTG, distinctively owing to its ability to destroy artifacts or enchantments. It presents a moderate challenge for players who rely heavily on such permanents to maintain an edge in the game. Strategies for overcoming this card include prioritizing the protection of key pieces in your setup. Consider employing counterspells to negate the activation of the Crowbar, or cards that give your permanents indestructible for the turn to nullify its impact.
Diversifying your threats also plays a crucial role in mitigating the setback caused by Citizen’s Crowbar; by not putting all your eggs in one basket regarding artifacts and enchantments, the removal power of the Crowbar diminishes. Additionally, the use of instant-speed removal to destroy or exile Citizen’s Crowbar before its ability resolves may significantly disrupt an opponent’s plans, giving you the upper hand in controlling the flow of the game.
To summarize, while Citizen’s Crowbar can be a powerful tool in your opponent’s arsenal, a thoughtful strategy that includes protection, diversification, and timely disruption can effectively diminish its threat and maintain supremacy on the battlefield.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering MTG encompasses adapting to ever-evolving tactics and optimizing your deck to face any challenge that comes your way. Citizen’s Crowbar is a card that caters to the strategist looking for adaptable artifact control. While weighing its pros and cons, consider its unique position in rotations and its ability to shape the ebb and flow of matches. Don’t let its complexities deter you; embrace its potential for card advantage and combo executions. For those intrigued by its versatility and keen on refining their artifact strategies, delve deeper with us. Discover how Citizen’s Crowbar can sharpen your deck’s edge and secure your place as a formidable player in the MTG landscape.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Citizen's Crowbar MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Citizen's Crowbar 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 Citizen's Crowbar has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Citizen's Crowbar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2022-04-29 | If another player gains control of the equipped creature but doesn't gain control of the Equipment, they will not be able to activate the ability the Equipment grants because they can't pay a cost that includes sacrificing a permanent they don't control. |