Aetherborn Marauder MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 71
2020-11-12 - Number 76
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Aetherborn Rogue |
| Abilities | Flying,Lifelink |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Aetherborn Marauder’s ability to shift +1/+1 counters can be a game-changer, bolstering its power.
- The card’s versatility in black-focused decks adds depth to counter and lifelink strategies.
- It competes with similar cards but offers unique benefits with its counter manipulation.
Text of card
Flying, lifelink When Aetherborn Marauder enters the battlefield, move any number of +1/+1 counters from other permanents you control onto Aetherborn Marauder.
"I don't know what that is or who it belongs to, but it's shiny and I want it."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Aetherborn Marauder enables you to enhance your board presence while potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy. By transferring counters from other permanents onto the Marauder, you effectively consolidate power onto a single creature, optimizing the value you get from your cards.
Resource Acceleration: While Aetherborn Marauder doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it does allow for a swift change in battlefield dynamics. The ability to move counters can be interpreted as a form of resource acceleration, as it permits the immediate upgrade of the Marauder, saving you turns and potentially leading to faster victories.
Instant Speed: Aetherborn Marauder’s Lifelink ability at instant speed grants you the flexibility to respond to threats or opportunities at a moment’s notice. This can be crucial in turning the tides during combat, making it a versatile tool not just in offense but also for defence, as gaining life can often be pivotal in close matchups.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Aetherborn Marauder does not have a discard requirement, but its ability does necessitate forsaking counters on other permanents you control. This could potentially weaken your board presence, especially if you rely on +1/+1 counters for a competitive edge.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost is defined – two generic and two black mana. This specific cost means that it fits primarily into black-focused decks or those with a reliable mana base to accommodate black mana, possibly limiting its integration into multi-color or colorless decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Aetherborn Marauder may come into play later than desired. There are creatures with lower mana costs that provide immediate value upon entering the battlefield or have similar power and toughness without requiring the setup of distributing +1/+1 counters.
Reasons to Include Aetherborn Marauder in Your Collection
Versatility: Aetherborn Marauder is a multifaceted card that can adapt to various deck builds. Its ability to manipulate +1/+1 counters makes it a flexible addition to decks focusing on counter strategies or those looking for an aerial threat.
Combo Potential: The lifelink and counter-moving mechanics of Aetherborn Marauder offer unique combo opportunities. It can pair well with cards that generate or double counters, enhancing its impact on the game and providing significant life swings.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the card’s ability to shift the battlefield’s dynamics significantly and interact with prevalent counter-centric decks, Aetherborn Marauder can be a valuable asset in a meta where such strategies are prominent.
How to Beat Aetherborn Marauder
Aetherborn Marauder is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to manipulate +1/+1 counters. This card can challenge players due to its potential for quickly growing into a substantial threat. As it enters the battlefield, it allows you to move any number of counters from other permanents onto it, giving it the capacity to become formidable in a blink.
To effectively counteract Aetherborn Marauder, consider using removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size, like Murder or Go for the Throat. Board wipes such as Wrath of God are also efficient at clearing the table of the Marauder along with any other creatures. With the correct timing, countering when the Marauder is cast with spells like Counterspell will prevent it from hitting the board altogether. Alternatively, steadfastly controlling the number of counters present on the field can stifle the Marauder’s power-boosting ability, making it a less daunting obstacle.
Understanding the interaction of Aetherborn Marauder with +1/+1 counters and preparing your deck with the appropriate responses will ensure that you maintain dominance over the battlefield and prevent your opponent’s marauder from turning the tide of the game.
Cards like Aetherborn Marauder
Aetherborn Marauder stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature with its life-linking abilities and power redistribution feature. A card that invites comparison is Night Market Lookout. While both are Aetherborn and tap for an effect, the Lookout siphons life with each tap, but doesn’t offer the same flying ability or the potential power increase of the Marauder.
Meanwhile, consider Yahenni, Undying Partisan, who also thrives in environments abundant with creature deaths, growing stronger with every demise. Yahenni differs with a self-protecting sacrifice option rather than Aetherborn Marauder’s power shifting mechanism.
Lastly, Gifted Aetherborn gives you a stable creature with both deathtouch and lifelink at a lower cost, but lacks the high-risk, high-reward energy counter play of the Marauder. When you weigh the benefits against their mana costs and abilities, Aetherborn Marauder offers a tantalizing option for players looking to manipulate energy counters and life totals for strategic advantage.
Cards similar to Aetherborn Marauder by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Aetherborn Marauder MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Aetherborn Marauder 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
Printings
The Aetherborn Marauder Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 71 | 2015 | normal | black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 76 | 2015 | normal | black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Aetherborn Marauder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Aetherborn Marauder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | If a creature has been dealt damage, that damage remains marked on it until the cleanup step. If Aetherborn Marauder takes counters from a creature that has been dealt damage, that creature will be destroyed if the damage is now lethal. |
| 2016-09-20 | You choose which counters to move as Aetherborn Marauder's triggered ability resolves. |
| 2016-09-20 | You may choose to move zero +1/+1 counters. |
| 2016-09-20 | You may move +1/+1 counters from any number of other permanents you control, not just from one. |
