Inspiring Bard MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 189
2022-07-07 - Number 214
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Bard |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Inspiring Bard enters the battlefield, choose one — • Bardic Inspiration — Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. • Song of Rest — You gain 3 life.
"Wake up, my friends! There are deeds to be done and treasures to be won!"
Cards like Inspiring Bard
Inspiring Bard finds its place in MTG as a multifaceted creature that can impact the battlefield uniquely. It bears resemblance to certain cards, such as Centaur Courser, which is also a three-mana creature with a power and toughness of 3/3. However, Inspiring Bard offers an additional utility with its ability to either beef up another creature or gain you life—flexibility that is valuable in many deck strategies.
Elvish Visionary is another creature that echoes the utility offered by Inspiring Bard, granting card draw when it enters the battlefield. Although the Visionary has a lower power and toughness, the immediate card advantage can sometimes outweigh the conditional benefits granted by the bard’s entrance. Sage of Lat-Nam provides a different spin, allowing you to draw cards by sacrificing artifacts rather than when entering the battlefield.
Evaluating different options, Inspiring Bard’s versatility in both aggro and life-gain decks makes it a card worth considering. Its ability to tailor to the game state, either as a combat trick or a lifeline, presents strategic choices that can align seamlessly with a player’s tactical approach during a match.
Cards similar to Inspiring Bard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Inspiring Bard offers an edge by allowing you to draw a card when it enters the battlefield. This ability can be crucial for outpacing your opponent by ensuring a steadier flow of options each turn.
Resource Acceleration: The effect of Inspiring Bard can also translate into resource acceleration. By granting you a bonus life when it enters play, it can give you the necessary buffer to set up your board without having to worry about your life total immediately.
Instant Speed: While Inspiring Bard itself isn’t an instant, its ability to provide immediate benefits upon entering the battlefield at sorcery speed still keeps your gameplay nimble. This quality helps you maintain tempo and adaptability as you orchestrate your strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Inspiring Bard does not force you to discard cards, but in a game where card advantage is crucial, it lacks a mechanism to replenish your hand, which can be a downside compared to other options that help maintain or grow your hand size while contributing to board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Inspiring Bard’s specific mana cost makes it a better fit for decks with a strong green presence. If your deck doesn’t generate enough green mana consistently or is more color-diverse, casting Inspiring Bard could be challenging or delay its play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that sits on the higher end for its effects, Inspiring Bard may not be the first pick for players aiming for efficiency. There are alternatives in MTG that can provide similar or better benefits at a lower cost and might be better suited for decks focusing on tempo or those with tight mana curves.
Reasons to Include Inspiring Bard in Your Collection
Versatility: Inspiring Bard is a card that can be slotted into a variety of decks, particularly those that hinge on life gain. With its ability to provide you with a modest life boost or enhance one of your creatures, it offers great flexibility during gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card can be crucial for combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or life gain. Used in tandem with cards that benefit from these mechanics, Inspiring Bard elevates its utility, contributing to powerful synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the current meta, Inspiring Bard may be a hidden gem. In a game dominated by aggression, its life-gain capability can be the linchpin for sustaining your presence on the board, while its creature buffing can turn the tides by enhancing key creatures.
How to beat
Inspiring Bard presents an interesting challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to imbue your opponents’ creatures with additional power and toughness. It is reminiscent of other cards that boost creatures, however, Inspiring Bard has the unique twist of potentially providing a life gain if you opt for that mode upon casting.
To effectively counteract the advantages of Inspiring Bard, efficient creature removal is key. Cards such as Murder or Doom Blade can be used to remove the Bard before its effects can be fully utilized. Cards that negate spell effects like Counterspell or Cancel can also be invaluable by stopping Inspiring Bard in its tracks, preventing any buff or life gain. Likewise, spells that force opponents to sacrifice creatures can circumvent the Bard’s boon, with Diabolic Edict and Innocent Blood being classic examples.
In essence, while Inspiring Bard might initially seem as a boost for your opponent’s forces, a strategic application of removal, countering spells, or forced sacrifice can effectively neutralize this musical mediator and maintain the balance of the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Inspiring Bard MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Inspiring Bard 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 Inspiring Bard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Eelis Kyttanen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eelis Kyttanen | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 214 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eelis Kyttanen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Inspiring Bard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |