Leather Armor MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 248
2020-09-26 - Number AFR-248
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +0/+1 and has ward . (Whenever equipped creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .) Equip . Activate only once each turn.
Lightweight, flexible, and protective.
Cards like Leather Armor
Leather Armor finds its niche in the wide array of equipment cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards such as Mage Armor or Holy Strength, which also grant toughness boosts to creatures. Unlike these enchantment buffs, however, Leather Armor equips to offer durability and can be reassigned to different creatures as the battle unfolds.
Another equipment, the famous Bonesplitter, serves as a point of contrast. While Leather Armor emphasizes defense, Bonesplitter focuses on offense, offering a significant boost to a creature’s power. The tactical choice between enhancing a creature’s survivability or its offensive capabilities can drastically affect the outcome of the game. Then there’s the trusty Shield of the Avatar, which also caters to defense but with a unique protective feature based on the number of cards in your hand. This adds a strategic layer that Leather Armor does not provide, as its protection is constant and not situational.
Taking everything into account, Leather Armor competes favorably with other defensive gears in Magic: The Gathering. Its reusability and consistency make it a viable option for players looking to fortify their creatures against their opponents’ offensive onslaughts.
Cards similar to Leather Armor by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Leather Armor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Vampires | Pioneer | Abzan Amalia Combo | UOL MKM Pioneer League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Leather Armor is designed to give the equipped creature a small boost without costing a card from your hand, upping the value of your creatures on the battlefield. Additionally, its Ward ability can dissuade opponents from targeting your creature, indirectly leading to potential card advantage by preserving your board state.
Resource Acceleration: While Leather Armor itself doesn’t produce additional mana, its low casting cost allows for a quick deployment. This leaves resources available for you to cast other spells, setting the stage for a more resourceful play sequencing and the ability to keep up the pace with your opponents.
Instant Speed: The ability to equip Leather Armor at instant speed provides a tactical edge. You can wait until the most opportune moment during a turn to equip, catching an opponent off guard and perhaps making favorable combat adjustments for unexpected trades or to protect a key creature from sudden removal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Leather Armor necessitates the player to discard a card to utilize its abilities. This can put players at a disadvantage during gameplay, especially when their hand is already depleted or if they’re required to relinquish a vital game piece that could be essential for later strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The card has a particular mana requirement for casting, which may not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype. Deck builders will need to carefully consider their mana base to ensure that they can consistently cast Leather Armor when needed, which could restrict its inclusion in more diverse or multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When measured against other equipment cards available in the game, Leather Armor comes with a relatively high mana cost for its abilities. Players might find that there are more cost-effective options that provide similar or even better enhancements without the hefty mana investment, making Leather Armor a less appealing choice in competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Leather Armor is a flexible card suited for a variety of decks. This equipment enhances creature resilience, making your creatures tougher to remove in combat scenarios.
Combo Potential: As a low-cost artifact, Leather Armor works well with strategies that capitalize on equipping creatures quickly or synergizing with artifact-related effects.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Leather Armor can significantly impact the board by allowing your creatures to dodge common removal spells or withstand combat with stronger opponents.
How to Beat
Leather Armor in Magic: The Gathering serves as a utilitarian piece of equipment that can easily bolster your creatures’ defenses. At first glance, it may seem like a minor obstacle with its ability to grant a creature +0/+1 and ward 1. However, its real value lies in its flexibility, being able to attach to any creature you control during your turn for no cost.
Strategies to overcome Leather Armor rely on timing and spell choice. Since the Armor can be moved at instant speed, you’ll want to address the equipped creature before the Armor is attached or in response to the attachment action. Utilizing removal that doesn’t target, such as board-wiping effects or damage-based removal like Earthquake or Pyroclasm, can bypass the ward ability. Alternatively, spells that force a player to sacrifice creatures get around Leather Armor’s protections completely. Disenchant effects can also directly remove the Armor from play. In a pinch, combat tricks that increase your creature’s power significantly can enable you to overpower the modest toughness boost provided by Leather Armor.
While not overly complex, comprehending the nuances of equipment like Leather Armor and its place in the game can give you an edge in matches, providing insight on when and how to dismantle your opponent’s strategies effectively.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leather Armor MTG card by a specific set like The List and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Leather Armor 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 Leather Armor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Martina Pilcerova.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The List | PLST | AFR-248 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Martina Pilcerova | ||
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 248 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Martina Pilcerova |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leather Armor 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Leather Armor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | If a creature with ward is equipped with Leather Armor, becoming the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls will cause both ward abilities to trigger. |