Arrows of Justice MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2013-02-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Gatecrash |
| Set code | GTC |
| Number | 211 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | James Ryman |
Key Takeaways
- Offers flexibility as instant-speed removal in multicolored MTG decks.
- Powerful against aggro decks but can strain mana resources.
- A strategy piece, Arrows of Justice rewards smart play and timing.
Text of card
Arrows of Justice deals 4 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.
Archers from the Horizon Military Academy hone their skills by targeting pickpockets blocks away.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Arrows of Justice offers strategic flexibility, as it can both damage an attacking or blocking creature, potentially removing an opponent’s threat and shifting the balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This spell’s moderate casting cost makes it a practical inclusion in multicolored decks, offering a swift response to threats without setting back your mana curve significantly.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Arrows of Justice at instant speed grants dynamic defensive potential, enabling you to disrupt your opponent’s combat plans or eliminate key creatures during the heat of battle when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Arrows of Justice demands a card from your hand as part of its casting cost. This trade-off means sacrificing valuable resources which could hinder your game plan, particularly if your hand is already running thin.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s effectiveness is constrained by its explicit mana requirement. With a need for both red and white mana, it narrows down the decks it can efficiently slot into, making it less flexible for players who prefer a more varied mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When analyzing its mana investment versus impact, Arrows of Justice possesses a relatively steep cost. In the current environment where every mana point counts, there are other removal options available that could potentially offer more bang for your buck or align better with a wider array of strategic approaches.
Reasons to Include Arrows of Justice in Your Collection
Versatility: Arrows of Justice is a flexible card that can be slotted into various decks that may need a solid removal option. Its ability to be cast with either white or red mana makes it a versatile choice for multicolored decks.
Combo Potential: This card can be paired with cards that trigger upon dealing damage, destroying a creature or even just casting a spell during combat. This potential to be part of multiple combo lines enhances its value in creative deck-building.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based aggro decks are prevalent, Arrows of Justice can serve as a powerful tool. Its capacity to take down significant threats at instant speed means it can swing the tide of battle in your favor at critical moments.
How to beat
Arrows of Justice is a versatile removal card in Magic: The Gathering that can be a stumbling block if you’re not prepared. It’s critical to understand that this card needs a multicolored creature target and that it operates at instant speed, giving your opponent flexibility during combat or on your turn. A savvy player might counter this by focusing on monochromatic creatures or investing in hexproof or shroud abilities to make their creatures harder to target.
Furthermore, plan your strategies around mana availability. Since Arrows of Justice requires both red and white mana, an opponent with limited color sources might struggle to cast it. Exploit this by putting pressure on their mana base. Cards that disrupt land or provide protection, like Ranger’s Guile, can be exceptionally valuable against such targeted removals.
Lastly, be mindful of the battlefield and potential combat tricks. With instant spells, timing is crucial. You may bait out Arrows of Justice by presenting less valuable targets first, keeping the essential creatures safe. By considering these strategies, you can navigate around the potential impact of Arrows of Justice in your MTG games and maintain the upper hand.
Cards like Arrows of Justice
Arrows of Justice offers a precision strike in MTG, giving players a chance to deal damage efficiently to attacking or blocking creatures. It finds its kinship with cards like Lightning Helix, which also delivers a swift damage output and provides additional lifegain, which Arrows of Justice lacks. However, Arrows of Justice affords flexibility in its casting options, payable with either red or white mana, making it a versatile choice in multicolored decks.
Examining Reprisal, another similar card, we see a pattern of destroying large creatures. While Reprisal doesn’t deal damage directly like Arrows of Justice, it removes creatures with power 4 or greater without an option for the opponent to respond with buffs or indestructibility. The absence of this restriction in Arrows of Justice gives it a broader range of targets, albeit at a cost of only being able to target attackers or blockers.
Ultimately, Arrows of Justice adds strategic depth to your removal arsenal in MTG. When comparing utility and adaptability, it carves its niche among damage-dealing removal spells with its flexible casting cost and immediate impact on combat scenarios.
Cards similar to Arrows of Justice by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Arrows of Justice MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Arrows of Justice and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Arrows of Justice has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Arrows of Justice card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | An “attacking creature” or “blocking creature” is one that has been declared as an attacker or blocker this combat, or one that was put onto the battlefield attacking or blocking this combat. Unless that creature leaves combat, it continues to be an attacking or blocking creature through the end of combat step, even if the player it was attacking has left the game, the planeswalker it was attacking has left combat, or the creature or creatures it was blocking have left combat, as appropriate. |
| 2013-01-24 | Arrows of Justice may be cast during the end of combat step, after combat damage has been dealt. |
