Iron Star MTG Card

Iron Star provides life gain against red spells, adding a layer of strategy and endurance to your gameplay. Activation requires red mana, limiting its versatility but offering targeted utility in specific deck builds. In a meta dominated by red, Iron Star’s subtle edge can significantly impact the outcomes of your games.

Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
1993-08-05 - Number 250

Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
1993-10-04 - Number 251

Unlimited Edition (2ED)
1993-12-01 - Number 251

Collectors' Edition (CED)
1993-12-10 - Number 251

Iron Star - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)

Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
1993-12-10 - Number 251

Foreign Black Border (FBB)
1994-04-01 - Number 252

Revised Edition (3ED)
1994-04-01 - Number 252

Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
1994-06-21 - Number 252

Fourth Edition (4ED)
1995-04-01 - Number 326

Iron Star - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)

Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
1995-04-01 - Number 326

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 379

Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
1999-04-21 - Number 291

Seventh Edition (7ED)
2001-04-11 - Number 301

Seventh Edition (7ED)
2001-04-11 - Number 301★

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 304★

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number 304

Iron Star - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)

30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
2022-11-28 - Number 544

30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
2022-11-28 - Number 247

Card sets	Released in 18 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Text of card

o1: Any red spell cast by any player gives you 1 life.

Cards like Iron Star

Iron Star stands out among the collection of artifact life gain options in Magic: The Gathering. It is similar to other artifacts like Ivory Cup, which also provides life gain corresponding to the color it’s associated with. However, Iron Star shines when playing against red spells or mountains, as it provides a steady source of health in the face of fiery onslaughts. Ivory Cup, in contrast, is triggered by white spells, offering a more defensive utility.

Then there’s Dragon’s Claw, an artifact that grants a life-gain effect aligned with Iron Star, responding to red spells. Dragon’s Claw boasts a lower converted mana cost than Iron Star, giving quicker access to its benefits. Nevertheless, Iron Star represents an early Magic: The Gathering set, reflecting a classic and nostalgic choice for many players regardless of its slower tempo.

Ultimately, Iron Star’s vintage charm and specific utility against red-oriented decks ensure its place as a noteworthy fixture among life-gain artifacts. While other options exist, players loyal to older MTG sets might find Iron Star a heartwarming card to include in their collection for its unique character and historical value.

Cards similar to Iron Star by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Iron Star is not a direct source of card drawing, its ability to give you life each time a red spell is cast can help you outlast opponents, potentially leading to a card advantage scenario where you’re surviving long enough to use more of your cards effectively.

Resource Acceleration: Iron Star doesn’t directly contribute to mana ramp, but the life gained can be a resource in itself. This added buffer could enable more aggressive plays or the use of utility lands and spells without as much concern for your life total.

Instant Speed: While Iron Star itself is not an instant, its passive ability works at instant speed. It triggers during either player’s turn whenever a red spell is cast, granting you life immediately. This adds a reactive layer to your strategy and can interact beneficially during your opponent’s turn, aligning with the versatility instant-speed plays are known for.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Iron Star’s ability necessitates the discarding of another card, which can hinder your hand advantage and be detrimental during critical moments of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires a specific investment of red mana to activate its ability, meaning it’s less versatile and may not fit seamlessly into multi-color decks or those with a different mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When weighed against other artifacts or life-gain strategies, Iron Star’s initial casting cost alongside its activation can be deemed inefficient, especially considering the evolving pace and resource management needs of current formats.

Reasons to Include Iron Star in Your Collection

Versatility: Iron Star has the ability to fit into various deck types, making it useful for players who enjoy experimenting with different strategies. Its ability to gain life whenever a red spell is cast can be an advantageous addition to decks facing aggressive, damage-dealing opponents.

Combo Potential: This artifact can become a key piece in a life-gain combo, turning every red spell cast by an opponent into a way to fortify your own life total. Additionally, Iron Star can be an asset in decks built around artifacts or those employing strategies to capitalize on life gain.

Meta-Relevance: For players facing a meta dominated by red spells and aggressive play styles, Iron Star offers a subtle but persistent edge that can make a significant difference in longer matches. Ultimately, its inclusion can strengthen your collection’s flexibility to adapt to the evolving landscapes of local and competitive play.

How to beat

The Iron Star is an artifact that presents a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield. As a single mana artifact, it integrates seamlessly into most decks and its ability to gain life whenever a red spell is cast can be a thorn in one’s side. Thinking about it strategically, to undermine the Iron Star’s advantage, one approach is to limit the number of red spells in the game. This can be done either by adjusting your deck to minimize red magic or employing card effects that restrict your opponent’s ability to cast red spells.

Another method to tackle this artifact is through direct removal. Numerous MTG decks have access to artifact removal spells or abilities that can dispatch Iron Star quickly before its benefits stack up. Consider incorporating cards that specifically target artifacts or cards that offer versatile removal options. By keeping the pressure on and maintaining a strategic edge, you can neutralize the life-gaining benefit of the Iron Star and keep the momentum of the game in your favor.

Ultimately, understanding your deck’s strategy and adapting to the presence of artifacts such as Iron Star are key to gaining the upper hand in MTG. Stay alert, play smart, and you will find that even the most annoying artifact can be overcome with the right plan in place.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Iron Star MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Iron Star and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Iron Star Magic the Gathering card was released in 15 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

Show/hide all sets

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1993-08-05	Limited Edition Alpha	LEA	250	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
2	1993-10-04	Limited Edition Beta	LEB	251	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
3	1993-12-01	Unlimited Edition	2ED	251	1993	Normal	White	Dan Frazier
4	1993-12-10	Collectors' Edition	CED	251	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
5	1993-12-10	Intl. Collectors' Edition	CEI	251	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
6	1994-04-01	Foreign Black Border	FBB	252	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
7	1994-04-01	Revised Edition	3ED	252	1993	Normal	White	Dan Frazier
8	1994-06-21	Summer Magic / Edgar	SUM	252	1993	Normal	White	Dan Frazier
9	1995-04-01	Fourth Edition	4ED	326	1993	Normal	White	Dan Frazier
10	1995-04-01	Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border	4BB	326	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
11	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	379	1997	Normal	White	Donato Giancola
12	1999-04-21	Classic Sixth Edition	6ED	291	1997	Normal	White	Donato Giancola
13	2001-04-11	Seventh Edition	7ED	301	1997	Normal	White	Pete Venters
14	2001-04-11	Seventh Edition	7ED	301★	1997	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
15	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	304★	2003	Normal	Black	Donato Giancola
16	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED	304	2003	Normal	White	Donato Giancola
17	2022-11-28	30th Anniversary Edition	30A	544	1997	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
18	2022-11-28	30th Anniversary Edition	30A	247	2015	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Iron Star has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal