Akroan Line Breaker MTG Card


Akroan Line Breaker - Journey into Nyx
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Abilities Heroic
Released2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameJourney into Nyx
Set codeJOU
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number88
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMarco Nelor

Key Takeaways

  1. Akroan Line Breaker amplifies threat levels, demanding opponents manage an increasingly powerful creature.
  2. Instant speed ability provides combat surprises, offering tactical advantages with smart spell casting.
  3. While potent, its reliance on spells and specific mana can limit flexibility and consistency in games.

Text of card

Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Akroan Line Breaker, Akroan Line Breaker gets +2/+0 and gains intimidate until end of turn.

The enemies' shields are the first to shatter, and their battle line is never far behind.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Akroan Line Breaker doesn’t draw you cards directly, it shines by creating repeatable combat threats. Every time you cast a spell, it becomes more formidable, potentially straining your opponent’s resources as they deal with an increasingly dangerous creature.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with decks focused on casting multiple spells quickly. Its heroic ability acts as a form of acceleration by boosting its power without the need for additional mana investment, allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Akroan Line Breaker’s ability to trigger at instant speed means that any instant spell you cast not only boosts its power but can also catch your opponent off guard during combat, turning the tide in your favor with well-timed plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Akroan Line Breaker’s reliance on the Heroic ability for optimal performance can be challenging. Without a steady supply of spells to trigger it, you might not capitalize on its potential, paving the way for resource inefficiency in game play.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two red mana in its casting cost, Akroan Line Breaker demands a focused mana base. This can restrict deck-building flexibility, especially in multicolored decks where mana consistency is critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a three-mana cost for a 2/1 creature, the Akroan Line Breaker may come up short in a game where early board presence is essential. Given the competitive environment, there are alternatives offering more immediate impact or resilience against removal for the same, or less, mana investment.


Reasons to Include Akroan Line Breaker in Your Collection

Versatility: Akroan Line Breaker holds its own due to its flexibility. It can serve as an aggressive early play in red-based decks, particularly those capitalizing on the heroic mechanic that rewards targeting the creature with spells. This adaptability is a strong case for its inclusion in various red-centric builds.

Combo Potential: When combined with a suite of low-cost spells or auras that can target it consistently, Akroan Line Breaker becomes a formidable threat. Its ability to grow in power with each triggered ability opens doors for numerous synergistic opportunities within themed decks that amplify its impact on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive play, or where the heroic mechanic is supported, Akroan Line Breaker becomes a valuable asset. Its inherent trait to become stronger with each spell cast can quickly turn the tides, making it well-suited for decks looking to capitalize on swift combat strategies and overwhelm opponents with tempo.


How to beat

Akroan Line Breaker stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a formidable force, especially when it comes to aggressive decks that leverage the heroic mechanic. This card excels when it’s constantly targeted by spells that trigger its ability, potentially making it a larger threat with each interaction. To effectively counter this, removal spells are your best ally. These spells, if timed correctly, can remove Akroan Line Breaker before its power becomes overwhelming.

One of the key strategies is to keep mana open to react when your opponent attempts to target the Line Breaker with a spell. Cards with instant speed removal like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can nip this threat in the bud. Additionally, employing creatures with deathtouch can serve as a deterrent, as they can take down the Line Breaker regardless of its power. Furthermore, utilizing sweepers that can clear multiple creatures, such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, can reset the board and remove the Line Breaker along with any momentum it may have built.

Anticipating and interrupting combos centered around the Akroan Line Breaker is crucial. With the right timing and removal spells, this powerful creature can be kept in check, ensuring that it doesn’t tip the scales too far in your opponent’s favor.


Cards like Akroan Line Breaker

Akroan Line Breaker is an intriguing creature that finds its place among heroic cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Satyr Hoplite, another creature benefiting from the heroic mechanic. With Akroan Line Breaker, each time you target it with a spell, it not only becomes larger but also deals extra damage to opponents during that turn. In contrast, Satyr Hoplite gains no additional offensive capability beyond its increased power.

Phalanx Leader stands out in this family of heroic creatures, as targeting it bolsters your entire battlefield, not just itself. This wider buffing effect can provide a more substantial board presence compared to the single-target focus of Akroan Line Breaker. Then there’s Vanguard of Brimaz, creating token creatures upon triggering its heroic ability, offering a different avenue for expanding your forces.

In summary, while Akroan Line Breaker brings aggressive potential with its combat-oriented heroic triggers, Magic: The Gathering aficionados will recognize the diverse applications of heroic mechanics among these cards, each offering strategic value in their own unique way. Akroan Line Breaker stands out for its direct damage increase, highlighting a more confrontational approach to gameplay.

Satyr Hoplite - MTG Card versions
Phalanx Leader - MTG Card versions
Vanguard of Brimaz - MTG Card versions
Satyr Hoplite - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Phalanx Leader - Theros Promos (PTHS)
Vanguard of Brimaz - Born of the Gods (BNG)

Cards similar to Akroan Line Breaker by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Akroan Line Breaker MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Akroan Line Breaker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Akroan Line Breaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Akroan Line Breaker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2014-04-26 Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
2014-04-26 Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times.
2014-04-26 Heroic abilities won't trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell's targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.

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