Opaline Bracers MTG Card


Opaline Bracers - Fifth Dawn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip,Sunburst
Released2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set nameFifth Dawn
Set code5DN
Number141
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAnthony S. Waters

Key Takeaways

  1. Boost creatures power tactically on the battlefield with Opaline Bracers’ equip feature.
  2. Allows adaptable mana expenditure, fitting well into varied MTG game stages.
  3. Opaline Bracers can be equipped at instant speed, surprising opponents.

Text of card

Sunburst (This comes into play with a charge counter on it for each color of mana used to pay its cost.) Equipped creature gets +X/+X, where X is the number of charge counters on Opaline Bracers. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Opaline Bracers has the potential to provide a strategic upper hand by equipping any creature with a significant power boost. This can translate into maintaining superiority on the battlefield and warding off opposing threats more effectively.

Resource Acceleration: The modular nature of its equip cost allows for a flexible resource allocation, aligning well with decks that generate an abundance of mana or have unused mana in the late game. This enables faster development and deployment of threats.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Opaline Bracers can be leveraged at instant speed thanks to its ability to be equipped anytime you could cast an instant. This provides dynamic combat tricks and the element of surprise, bolstering your creatures when least expected by an opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Opaline Bracers does not explicitly demand a discard, it may indirectly lead to discard decisions. Maximizing its equipment ability often means playing more artifacts, which in some hand states might cause you to prioritize and discard other valuable cards to maintain artifact density.

Specific Mana Cost: The Bracers require a mana investment that is colorless, but don’t be misled; this could still impact your strategy. Playing in artifact-heavy decks can limit your options for including utility cards of various colors which might offer crucial tempo and control.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial four mana to cast Opaline Bracers can be steep in formats where speed is of the essence. What’s more, the additional two mana for each equip means you’re sinking six mana into a creature that can be vulnerable to a variety of common removal spells, potentially setting your board presence and tempo back significantly.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Opaline Bracers can be a dynamic addition to various decks, shining in builds that capitalize on artifact synergy or require scalability with mana investment over the course of a game.

Combo Potential: These bracers, when combined with creatures that have tap or untap effects, enable interesting interactions, offering avenues for creative and potentially game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifact strategies are prevalent or creature enhancements are key to overcoming opponents, Opaline Bracers’ capacity to scale and fortify creatures makes it a card worth considering for adaptation and competitive play.


How to beat Opaline Bracers

Opaline Bracers can give any creature a power boost, which, at first glance, makes it seem like an invaluable asset in MTG. This is particularly true in artifact-centric decks where its sunburst ability could potentially provide a substantial increase in stats. But how does one navigate around this potentially game-changing equipment?

Efficient artifact removal spells are a key strategy. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize allow a player to remove troublesome artifacts at a low cost, tipping the scales back in their favor. Directly countering an opponent’s strategy by playing enchantments such as Stony Silence will prevent the activation of abilities of artifacts like Opaline Bracers altogether, rendering them useless on the battlefield.

Alternatively, focus on maintaining control of the board. By removing or neutralizing creatures before they can be equipped with the Bracers, you avoid the power surge problem directly. Remember, without a creature to attach to, Opaline Bracers loses much of its threat. Strategizing with creature removal or bounce spells can keep Opaline Bracers-carrying threats at bay.

In essence, by responding quickly to the presence of Opaline Bracers with removal or control tactics, its impact can be mitigated, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.


Cards like Opaline Bracers

Opaline Bracers is a unique accessory for creatures in the artifact genre of Magic: The Gathering. Taking a closer look, the bracers share similarities with equipment like Bonesplitter, as both are capable of boosting a creature’s power. Yet, Opaline Bracers stand out with their versatile sunburst ability, granting +1/+1 counters for each color of mana spent to cast it, potentially making creatures significantly stronger compared to the static +2/+0 boost from Bonesplitter.

Another comparable card is Vulshok Morningstar, which also increases a creature’s power and toughness. However, unlike Opaline Bracers, the Morningstar offers a consistent +2/+2 without the need for a diverse mana investment. The bracers, conversely, cater to multicolored decks that can optimize its sunburst effect, surpassing the Morningstar’s bonus in the right circumstances.

Evaluating these equipments highlights Opaline Bracers for their maximum potential in the right deck. It requires strategic mana allocation but can result in a larger benefit to creature stats than its counterparts. The bracers are a testament to the depth of strategy available in Magic: The Gathering, especially for players looking to make the most of their mana array.

Bonesplitter - MTG Card versions
Vulshok Morningstar - MTG Card versions
Bonesplitter - Arena League 2003 (PAL03)
Vulshok Morningstar - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Opaline Bracers by color, type and mana cost

Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Magnetic Mine - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Eye of Doom - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Coercive Portal - MTG Card versions
Aetherworks Marvel - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Juggernaut - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Dancing Scimitar - Revised Edition (3ED)
Grinning Totem - Mirage (MIR)
Phyrexian Processor - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Patagia Golem - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Lodestone Myr - Mirrodin (MRD)
Krark-Clan Ironworks - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Ur-Golem's Eye - Commander 2014 (C14)
Jester's Cap - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bottled Cloister - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Rod of Ruin - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Gnarled Effigy - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Scrapbasket - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Magnetic Mine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Icy Manipulator - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Eye of Doom - Commander 2013 (C13)
Well of Lost Dreams - The List (PLST)
Coercive Portal - Conspiracy (CNS)
Aetherworks Marvel - Kaladesh Promos (PKLD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Opaline Bracers MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Opaline Bracers and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Opaline Bracers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks