Ironshell Beetle MTG Card
2002-05-27 - Number 121
2018-10-05 - Number 134
2020-07-17 - Number 405
2022-12-02 - Number 679
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Ironshell Beetle comes into play, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
"Why waste time creating weapons? Nature provides us with all we need." —Centaur warrior
Cards like Ironshell Beetle
Ironshell Beetle joins the family of creature enhancers in Magic: The Gathering. It draws an immediate parallel to cards like Travel Preparations, which also puts +1/+1 counters on creatures. The beetle, with its straightforward application of a single +1/+1 counter upon casting, offers a no-nonsense boost, similar to Travel Preparations’ initial effect without its flashback upside.
Another comparable card is Jade Mage, presenting an ongoing benefit of being able to repeatedly create creatures that carry +1/+1 counters. While Ironshell Beetle’s ability occurs only once, Jade Mage demands more mana investment over time for a prolonged advantage. Then there is Armorcraft Judge, who grants card draw proportional to the number of creatures you control with +1/+1 counters, potentially offering a more significant long-term benefit than the Beetle’s one-time effect.
When weighing the benefits of these creatures and their abilities to enhance gameplay with counters, Ironshell Beetle holds a place for those looking for immediate, guaranteed value with minimal cost, proving to be a reliable choice for players seeking early-game board presence or an additional power boost in MTG.
Cards similar to Ironshell Beetle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Ironshell Beetle enters the battlefield, it grants a +1/+1 counter which can be viewed as card advantage. Rather than having to play another spell to enhance a creature, this combined creature and enhancement spell provides extra value on entering, thereby potentially outpacing an opponent in terms of board presence without sacrificing additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Ironshell Beetle itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the +1/+1 counter it provides can be crucial on creatures that have abilities triggered by counters or are part of synergistic strategies that capitalize on counter distribution. This indirect resource acceleration can be a game-changer for decks that utilize +1/+1 counter mechanics.
Instant Speed: While Ironshell Beetle is not an instant itself, the benefit of having a +1/+1 counter in MTG cannot be overstated. It can be strategically played before damage is assigned during the combat phase or after your opponent has played their removal spells, pretending to be a weaker board until the optimal moment. Additionally, in a pinch, the Beetle can act as a surprise blocker or an unexpected addition to your offensive lineup.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Some cards in a deck are like hidden treasures, pivotal in turning the tide of the game. Ironshell Beetle, however, does not oblige players to discard, instead, it’s the absence of such a dynamic which may lead to a steady but less explosive gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: Tailoring a deck often requires a diverse palette of spells and creatures. The Ironshell Beetle comes with a precise mana cost, demanding one green. This may deter players running multicolored decks from including it as it doesn’t conform to flexible mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Efficiency is the key to victory. Weighing in at two mana might seem economical at first glance. However, when compared to other one-mana creatures with similar buffs or abilities, the Ironshell Beetle might not always be the choicest pick for players looking to optimize every turn.
Reasons to Include Ironshell Beetle in Your Collection
Versatility: Ironshell Beetle is not confined to a single strategy. Its simple design allows it to be included in various deck archetypes, offering a valuable one-time +1/+1 counter that can make a big impact no matter which creature you choose to strengthen. This little critter is flexible enough to fit into aggro, midrange, or even certain control decks looking for creature enhancements.
Combo Potential: While the Beetle itself may not directly enable combos, its ability to permanently augment a creature can synergize with strategies that hinge on the size and strength of your creatures. Counter-based decks with mechanics such as evolve or modular can especially benefit from the incremental boosts that Ironshell Beetle provides.
Meta-Relevance: Given that the meta often shifts, having access to utility creatures like Ironshell Beetle can be a boon. It’s particularly valuable in environments where small advantages accumulate, enabling bigger creatures to outclass opponents in combat or survive damage-based removal, a common feature in numerous meta scenarios.
How to beat
Ironshell Beetle presents an interesting challenge with its enter-the-battlefield effect, granting a +1/+1 counter to a target creature. This can turn even the smallest of creatures into a more formidable threat. To efficiently tackle this verdant insect, players should consider the timing of removal spells. Waiting for the Beetle to hit the board so that your removal spell can address not only the Beetle but also the creature it targets can be a strategic move.
Spot removal spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can eliminate the creature that receives the beetle’s bonus before it grows out of control. If the boosted creature has already become a serious threat, board wipes like Wrath of God could reset the playing field. Since the Beetle’s effect is a one-time deal, countering it with spells such as Counterspell or Essence Scatter is also a worthwhile strategy to prevent its ability from ever taking place.
Ultimately, dealing with Ironshell Beetle and its potential impact on the game comes down to proactive management of the board and careful use of removal or counter spells, ensuring that the value it provides its controller is minimized or nullified.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ironshell Beetle MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Ironshell Beetle 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 Ironshell Beetle Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-05-27 | Judgment | JUD | 121 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 134 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 405 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 679 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ironshell Beetle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ironshell Beetle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | You may choose Ironshell Beetle as the target of its own ability. |