Lurebound Scarecrow MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Scarecrow |
| Released | 2008-05-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadowmoor |
| Set code | SHM |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 256 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Text of card
As Lurebound Scarecrow comes into play, choose a color. When you control no permanents of the chosen color, sacrifice Lurebound Scarecrow.
It's a fool's race to run if all is lost if it be won.
Cards like Lurebound Scarecrow
The Lurebound Scarecrow stands as a unique creature within the vast panorama of Magic: The Gathering. This artifact creature echoes the adaptability of cards like Watchful Automaton, which similarly provides a colorless presence to fit into any deck. However, the Lurebound Scarecrow comes with a condition, binding its fate to a specific colored permanent.
In the realm of key creature spells, we discover the specialized niche that spells like Alloy Myr occupy, offering both creature utility and mana flexibility. While Alloy Myr presents the advantage of mana production, the Scarecrow focuses on survivability, remaining in play as long as you control a permanent of the chosen color. Another artifact creature, Foundry Inspector, brings value to artifact-based strategies by making your artifacts cost less, but it doesn’t share the Scarecrow’s dependence on other permanents for its existence.
Considering performance and synergy possibilities, Lurebound Scarecrow is a distinctive choice in MTG. It can be a resilient component in decks that can reliably support its specific requirement. Its conditional endurance on the battlefield can be a double-edged sword, making it both interesting and challenging for deck builders.
Cards similar to Lurebound Scarecrow by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Lurebound Scarecrow doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its very presence on the battlefield acts as a deterrent, dissuading opponents from attacking and helping you preserve the valuable cards in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: The distinct advantage of this artifact creature comes from its ability to synergize with decks that revolve around creature types. By enabling certain combos, Lurebound Scarecrow could accelerate your gameplay, though indirectly, setting the stage for a quicker deployment of your game plan.
Instant Speed: Lurebound Scarecrow lacks the flexibility of instant speed interactions; however, its steadfast presence on the battlefield could indirectly influence how your opponent plays their instants and flash spells, potentially to your benefit. Its static ability requires strategic planning around which permanents you play to ensure it remains a viable and ongoing threat or defense.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Lurebound Scarecrow doesn’t require a card to be discarded, it does have a condition that can function as a ‘discard’ of itself. If you control no permanents of the chosen color, Lurebound Scarecrow forces you to sacrifice it, potentially leaving you without a creature on the board.
Specific Mana Cost: Lurebound Scarecrow necessitates a very specific mana investment to stay effective on the battlefield. Its reliance on colored permanents means it can be inconsistent in multicolor decks or those that cannot reliably produce the chosen color, making it less flexible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 4/4 creature, Lurebound Scarecrow might seem efficient, but when considering the restrictive condition attached, it may not be as valuable as other creatures at or below this mana cost. In formats where board presence and stability are key, its condition can be a significant drawback.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Lurebound Scarecrow offers a unique presence in any collection because of its ability to serve as a sturdy defender in a variety of decks. This construct’s solid stats make it a reliable blocker that can handle multiple roles in different deck architectures.
Combo Potential: With a cost-effective 4/4 frame, the Scarecrow exhibits potential in artifact and scarecrow synergies. It’s particularly adept at fitting into decks that can manipulate or benefit from specific color permanents, allowing for creative and unexpected combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where color-specific permanents are prevalent, the Lurebound Scarecrow can act as a strategic asset. Its conditional presence on the battlefield can be optimized for metas that require adaptable and dynamic defensive strategies.
How to beat
Lurebound Scarecrow may seem intimidating with its ability to remain on the battlefield as long as you control a multicolored creature. The trick to overcoming this particular scarecrow is to disrupt the board’s color composition. By removing or neutralizing your opponent’s multicolored creatures, you render the Scarecrow vulnerable. Simple removal spells tailored to targeting creatures of specific colors, such as Doom Blade for black creatures or Revoke Existence for artifacts and enchantments, can do the trick as they can indirectly lead to the Scarecrow’s downfall.
Another effective strategy includes utilizing cards that change creature colors or strip them entirely of their abilities. For instance, effects that turn a multicolored creature into a single color or none at all are particularly useful. Once the required multicolored creature condition is not met, Lurebound Scarecrow will have to leave the battlefield, simplifying your path to victory. Always consider both direct and indirect approaches when finding ways to beat cards that rely on other permanents’ presence.
Integrating these strategies against Lurebound Scarecrow into your gameplay can seamlessly turn the tide of the match in your favor, while also providing you valuable lessons in versatile deck building and adaptive gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lurebound Scarecrow MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Lurebound Scarecrow 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lurebound Scarecrow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lurebound Scarecrow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-05-01 | If you control a Lurebound Scarecrow but no color was chosen for it (perhaps because your Cemetery Puca turned into a Lurebound Scarecrow), the trigger condition will have an undefined value in it. It’ll never trigger, so you won’t have to sacrifice the Scarecrow. |