Empyrial Armor MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 13
1998-08-12 - Number bh13
2001-01-01 - Number 8
2010-11-08 - Number A5
2014-06-16 - Number 25
2019-11-07 - Number 90
2002-06-24 - Number 36024
2020-09-26 - Number WTH-13
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gets +X/+X, where X is equal to the number of cards in your hand.
"An angel appeared in the smoldering skies above the fray, her clothes as flames, her armor as fire." —"Hymn of Angelfire"
Cards like Empyrial Armor
Empyrial Armor holds a unique position in the realm of aura-based white enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. Its parallel could be seen when compared to Daybreak Coronet which also bestows a considerable boost to a creature. What makes Empyrial Armor stand out is the way it leverages the player’s hand size, potentially increasing a creature’s power significantly in the early to mid-game. Unlike Daybreak Coronet, Empyrial Armor doesn’t require the creature to have another aura attached, simplifying its conditions for use.
Another comparison can be drawn with Ethereal Armor, which grants a strength boost based on the number of enchantments you control, including itself. It also provides First Strike, adding a degree of tactical advantage. However, while Ethereal Armor can scale very well in an enchantment-rich deck, Empyrial Armor shines in a strategy focused on maintaining a robust hand size throughout the game.
Evaluating the strategic depth and application, Empyrial Armor can certainly find its niche within white aura strategies. Its ability to amplify power based on hand size offers a different angle of play compared to its counterparts, reaffirming its relevance in the specific deck builds tailored to exploit its strength.
Cards similar to Empyrial Armor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Empyrial Armor grants a significant boost to a creature’s power based on the number of cards in your hand, encouraging a strategy that keeps your hand filled. This creates inherent card advantage as it turns any card in hand into potential damage without the need to deploy more cards to the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: When utilizing Empyrial Armor, the improved power on a single creature can quickly accelerate the game’s tempo. It effectively utilizes your current resource—cards in hand—to apply pressure without the immediate need for additional mana investment into other creatures or spells.
Instant Speed: While Empyrial Armor itself is an enchantment that is cast at sorcery speed, it perfectly complements decks that operate at instant speed. The Armor’s dynamic power adjustment means holding back instant speed interactions can also serve to unpredictably boost your creature’s power, possibly changing the course of combat or creating surprise lethal situations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fully benefit from Empyrial Armor’s potential, having a substantial hand size is imperative. This can be challenging in the later stages of the game when your hand may be depleted, thus reducing the Armor’s effectiveness.
Specific Mana Cost: Empyrial Armor requires white mana to be cast, which inherently restricts it to decks that include white or have a reliable source of mana fixing to accommodate its color needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it costs a moderate amount of mana, in competitive play where efficiency is key, Empyrial Armor’s mana investment might deter players on account of other available equipment or aura options that provide an immediate impact for less mana.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Empyrial Armor offers a dynamic boost in power to creatures, scaling with the size of your hand. This makes it a valuable addition in decks that maintain a large hand size, as well as in white-based aggro or voltron strategies.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this enchantment can turn even the most unassuming creature into a significant threat. Pairing it with card draw engines ensures your creature stays formidable and can sometimes even create a one-hit knockout scenario.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Empyrial Armor holds its ground by turning any creature into a potential game-ender. It’s particularly relevant in environments where hand sizes are kept large, cementing its place as a solid contender in various metas.
How to beat Empyrial Armor
Empyrial Armor emerges as a powerful aura in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, capable of turning even the most unassuming creature into a formidable threat. This White enchantment leverages the size of its controller’s hand, granting the enchanted creature a boost in power and toughness for each card held.
Nevertheless, players can employ strategies to surmount this buff. The key lies in disrupting the enchanted creature’s link to the armor, either by reducing the controller’s hand size or by directly dealing with the creature. Instants like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can effectively remove the enchanced creature before the armor’s effect becomes overwhelming. Alternatively, players might consider forcing discard through cards like Thoughtseize or Liliana’s Caress, minimizing the armor’s influence by shrinking the controller’s hand.
It’s wise to note that Empyrial Armor’s strength hinges on the controller’s hand, thus strategic hand disruption or creature elimination can serve as a compelling countermeasure. By understanding and deploying such tactics, players stand a better chance at keeping such threats at bay and maintaining dominance on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Empyrial Armor MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Empyrial Armor and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Empyrial Armor Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by D. Alexander Gregory.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 13 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 2 | 1998-08-12 | World Championship Decks 1998 | WC98 | bh13 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 3 | 2001-01-01 | Arena League 2001 | PAL01 | 8 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36024 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | ||
| 5 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A5 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 6 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 7 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 90 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 8 | The List | PLST | WTH-13 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Empyrial Armor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Empyrial Armor 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 | The value of X is recalculated constantly, so this card’s bonus varies as the number of cards in your hand varies. |