Copper Carapace MTG Card
2011-02-04 - Number 102
2015-05-22 - Number 205
2019-11-07 - Number 1565
2020-09-26 - Number MM2-205
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and can't block. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
"We will fight as they do: our flesh protected behind metal." —Tae Aquil, Viridian weaponsmith
Cards like Copper Carapace
In the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, Copper Carapace finds its niche as a budget-friendly equipment card. It’s similar to other equipment cards like Bonesplitter, which boosts a creature’s attack at a low equip cost. What sets Copper Carapace apart is its added ability to grant the equipped creature an increased toughness, making it a two-fold enhancement for attack and defense. Bonesplitter does not offer the same toughness boost, focusing solely on augmenting the creature’s power.
Another card akin to Copper Carapace is the Trusty Machete. This equipment also costs one mana to play, but it has a slightly higher equip cost. It provides a more balanced power and toughness enhancement to creatures. In comparison, Copper Carapace restricts the equipped creature from blocking, which Trusty Machete does not, allowing for more flexibility in defensive play.
When considering equipment options for creature enhancement in Magic: The Gathering, Copper Carapace emerges as a strong choice for aggressive strategies, emphasizing an increase in creature size at the expense of some defensive capabilities. Its unique blend of power and toughness bonus at a minimal cost makes it particularly formidable in offensive gameplay.
Cards similar to Copper Carapace by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Copper Carapace doesn’t directly influence the number of cards in your hand, it enables creatures to become more formidable threats. This equipment boosts the power of your creatures which can lead to more efficient trades on the battlefield, potentially giving you a card advantage by removing opposing threats while maintaining your own.
Resource Acceleration: Copper Carapace costs little to cast and equip, making it a cost-effective way to amplify your creatures’ offensive capabilities early on. The low investment can accelerate your resources by allowing for stronger board presence without the need for high mana output, leaving more room for casting other spells or abilities.
Instant Speed: While Copper Carapace itself is not an instant, it offers flexibility within decks that operate at instant speed. It can be equipped at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action where timing is less crucial, enabling uninterrupted play for instant-based strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Copper Carapace does not have a discard requirement, it’s essential to keep in mind that equipping this artifact requires a player to invest additional mana beyond its casting cost, which can be a significant trade-off when trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Copper Carapace has a generic mana cost for casting, but its equip cost requires specific color allegiance, which could be restrictive for multi-colored decks and those looking for flexibility in mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an equip cost that is as high as its casting cost, players may find Copper Carapace less attractive compared to other equipment cards that offer more for the same or lower total investment. Considering the fast-paced nature of modern MTG games, this cost factor can be a noticeable drawback.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Copper Carapace is an equipment card that can effortlessly blend into various deck archetypes. As a low-cost artifact, it can be a quick way to boost the power of your creatures, making it a handy card in both aggressive and control strategies.
Combo Potential: Beyond its immediate buff to creature stats, its ability to equip for zero mana when you control a creature with metalcraft highlights its synergy within artifact-centric decks. The potential for easy swaps onto creatures with untap abilities or those that benefit from being equipped makes it a savvy inclusion for inventive combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where creature combat is prevalent, the added strength and toughness from Copper Carapace can turn even the meekest creatures into formidable threats. This can be especially relevant in metas where board presence and aggressive starts are key to clinching victory.
How to Beat Copper Carapace
Overcoming the challenge posed by Copper Carapace in Magic: The Gathering hinges on smart use of artifact removal or creature control strategies. This equipment card encumbers the equipped creature, preventing it from blocking. However, it also gives a significant power boost, making any creature it equips a notable threat on the battlefield.
Efficient answers to Copper Carapace include instant-speed removal spells like Disenchant or Abrade, which not only dismantle the equipment but can also disrupt the opponent’s tempo. Cards like Naturalize serve a dual purpose, offering the chance to destroy other artifacts or enchantments as well. For those leaning on creature superiority, simply outmatching the power boost with larger creatures or those with reach can effectively neutralize the threat.
Strategic use of bounce effects to return the equipped creature back to hand with spells like Unsummon can also tilt the scales in your favor momentarily. It’s important to remember that the player using Copper Carapace sacrifices the ability to block with the equipped creature, potentially leaving themselves open for counterattacks. Therefore, keeping the pressure on and forcing tough decisions may ultimately render Copper Carapace’s benefits moot.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Copper Carapace MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Copper Carapace 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
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Printings
The Copper Carapace Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-02-04 | Mirrodin Besieged | MBS | 102 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 205 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1565 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | MM2-205 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Franz Vohwinkel |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Copper Carapace has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |