Liu Bei, Lord of Shu MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 11
2009-09-07 - Number 19
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Horsemanship |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Horsemanship As long as you have Guan Yu and/or Zhang Fei in play, Liu Bei gets +2/+2.
"Only wisdom and virtue can truly win men's devotion." —Liu Bei
Cards like Liu Bei, Lord of Shu
In the landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Liu Bei, Lord of Shu occupies a unique position among legendary creatures. It’s often compared to other legendary creatures that rally and empower their fellow creatures, such as Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite. Elesh Norn brings a commanding presence by granting a static bonus to your creatures and weakening opponents’ creatures, something Liu Bei can’t match. However, Liu Bei’s strength lies in its potential for explosive growth in power, gaining +2/+2 for each other creature you control as the battle unfolds, a trait not seen in Elesh Norn.
Another card worthy of comparison is Lovisa Coldeyes, who similarly bolsters certain creature types, giving them haste and a power boost. While Lovisa’s buffs are more restricted by creature type, Liu Bei doesn’t discriminate and can potentially support a wider range of decks. Conversely, Lovisa’s effect is immediate, whereas Liu Bei requires a build-up further into the game.
In regard to building a synergistic army, Liu Bei, Lord of Shu stands out as a dynamic force multiplier that thrives on a populated battlefield, setting it apart from peers that offer more consistent, yet potentially more limited, enhancements.
Cards similar to Liu Bei, Lord of Shu by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Liu Bei, Lord of Shu thrives in gaining card advantage by synergizing with other “Three Kingdoms” cards, potentially offering a steady flow of card draw or retrieval from your graveyard as you maintain a strong board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This legendary creature can unexpectedly ramp up your mana resources when paired with the right deck mechanics. For instance, enabling access to powerful spells or creatures earlier in the game than your opponents can prepare for.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Liu Bei can benefit from cards with instant speed to protect it or maximize strategic plays during critical moments of the game. This could manifest through instants that counter threats to Liu Bei or provide buffs at pivotal times.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Liu Bei, Lord of Shu comes with a discard condition that might not always align with your game strategy, especially if your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: This legendary commander’s converted mana cost demands a specific combination of Green and White, which could be restrictive for decks that aren’t fine-tuned for such a cost structure.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to bring Liu Bei, Lord of Shu onto the battlefield is on the higher end, which means you may lag in tempo against opponents who use lower-cost creatures to build momentum.
Reasons to Include Liu Bei, Lord of Shu in Your Collection
Versatility: Liu Bei, Lord of Shu adapts to a wide array of strategies due to his synergistic abilities that support both human and warrior-centric decks. His dynamic stats make him a flexible threat on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that exploit creature-based combos, especially in combinations that react to the number of creatures you control, bolstering both offense and defense.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are prevalent, Liu Bei, Lord of Shu can serve as both a significant attacker and a resilient blocker, making him relevant in various competitive scenes.
How to beat
Liu Bei, Lord of Shu stands out as an impactful commander in Magic: The Gathering, often anchoring decks that thrive on honor and unity. This legendary creature card gains a power boost when playing alongside other commanders, making it a formidable part of any tribal or Voltron strategy. Its resilience is further enhanced by its horsemanship ability, able to dodge conventional blockers with ease.
Defeating this three-colored powerhouse requires targeted removal or board wipes that can bypass the protective veil granted by horsemanship. Efficient exile spells are an excellent choice, as they permanently remove Liu Bei from the fray without triggering death-related abilities. Alternatively, countering Liu Bei upon casting can prevent this leader from influencing the battlefield altogether.
Focusing on disrupting the synergistic elements that bolster Liu Bei’s strength is also a solid strategy. Interrupt the unity of the deck by dismantling key pieces that can enhance Liu Bei or generate an advantage for your opponent. In combination, these tactics can turn the tide of battle against Liu Bei, Lord of Shu, and secure victory within the intricate dance of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Liu Bei, Lord of Shu MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Masters Edition III, 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 Liu Bei, Lord of Shu and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Liu Bei, Lord of Shu Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Qiao Dafu.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 11 | 1997 | Normal | White | Qiao Dafu | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 19 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Qiao Dafu |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Liu Bei, Lord of Shu has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Liu Bei, Lord of Shu card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Despite the similarities between horsemanship and flying, horsemanship doesn’t interact with flying or reach. |