Longbow Archer MTG Card

Offers defense against flying threats while able to maintain board presence efficiently. Dual white and green mana cost adds flexibility but may limit deck versatility. Valuable for decks countering flying creatures, boosting both offense and defense.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier Archer
Abilities First strike,Reach
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

First strike Longbow Archer can block creatures with flying.

"If it bears wings, I will pin it to the skies over Tefemburu." —Ruya, Zhalfirin archer

Cards like Longbow Archer

Longbow Archer stands out in MTG as an efficient creature card, providing both offensive and defensive options. Its resemblance to cards such as Elite Inquisitor is clear, with both cards brandishing first strike, allowing them to deal combat damage before creatures without this skill. However, Longbow Archer goes a step further, offering reach, which enables it to block flying creatures, making it a versatile defender in any match.

Another card worth comparing is the Silver Knight. It shares the same mana cost and first strike attribute but carries protection from red, which can be pivotal in matches against red-heavy decks. While Silver Knight is excellent in specific scenarios, Longbow Archer’s additional point of toughness and reach attribute makes it more generally useful across various deck types and strategies.

Longbow Archer competently holds its own among similar MTG cards. Its combination of first strike and reach, along with a favorable mana cost, ensures that it remains a relevant choice for players looking to enhance their deck’s defensive capabilities while maintaining a strong offensive presence.

Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Elite Inquisitor - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Longbow Archer’s reach lets you defend against flying creatures, potentially removing threats while keeping your archer intact. This defensive stance can help maintain your board presence without needing more cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: With a moderate casting cost and a solid 2/2 body, Longbow Archer presents both offensive and defensive options without heavily taxing your mana resources. Its efficiency can help set the stage for more impactful plays in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: While Longbow Archer itself isn’t an instant, its reach capability allows it to effectively interact with creatures attacking at instant speed, blunting surprise offensive moves from your adversary. This indirect benefit can be a boon in preserving life points and bolstering your battlefield strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Longbow Archer doesn’t directly require a discard, it’s worth noting that maintaining card advantage is crucial, and cards that outpace it in efficiency might force strategic discards to keep optimal plays going.

Specific Mana Cost: Longbow Archer necessitates both plains and forests to cast due to its white and green mana cost. This can potentially restrict deck flexibility, particularly in formats where mana base consistency is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two specific mana types, Longbow Archer might consume your entire turn’s mana when you could otherwise be casting multiple spells or creatures. Its cost efficiency can be underwhelming when compared to other options at similar mana values.

Reasons to Include Longbow Archer in Your Collection

Versatility: Longbow Archer offers strong defensive and offensive capabilities. Its reach allows it to block flying creatures, while first strike provides an edge during combat, making it a great addition to both aggressive and control decks.

Combo Potential: As a creature with two relevant abilities, Longbow Archer pairs well with cards that capitalize on first strike or reach. In decks that focus on ability synergies, this archer can be a crucial component.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures dominate, having a reliable blocker like Longbow Archer can significantly shift the balance of a match in your favor, making it a relevant choice for the current meta.

How to Beat

Longbow Archer is a classic creature from Magic: The Gathering, known for its reach and first strike abilities, empowering players to take on both flying creatures and ground assailants. While it presents a challenge for opponents, there are strategies to dismantle its defensiveness effectively. One method is using spells that don’t engage directly in combat, such as removal spells, including Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can bypass the Archer’s first strike feature.

Tapping into board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can also clear the field without worrying about Longbow Archer’s abilities, resetting the battleground. Furthermore, enchantments like Pacifism neutralize the Archer without prompting its reach capability. When faced with this vigilant creature, consider avoidance tactics over direct conflict, utilizing removals that operate out of the reach and first strike parameters.

At the end of the day, prevailing against Longbow Archer requires a blend of tactical evasion and decisive spellcasting, capitalizing on its vulnerabilities while sidestepping its strengths for victory on the planes of Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Longbow Archer MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Longbow Archer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Longbow Archer Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2001-04-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 121997NormalBlackEric Peterson
21999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 301997NormalWhiteEric Peterson
32000-01-01Friday Night Magic 2000FNM 31997NormalBlackEric Peterson
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 26★1997NormalBlackRay Lago
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 261997NormalWhiteRay Lago
62002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 360081997NormalBlackEric Peterson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Longbow Archer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-04-01 This card now uses the Reach keyword ability to enable the blocking of flying creatures. This works because a creature with flying can only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach.