Markov Baron MTG Card
2023-05-12 - Number 14
2023-05-12 - Number 114
2023-05-12 - Number 198
2023-05-12 - Number 64
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Noble |
| Abilities | Convoke,Lifelink,Madness |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Convoke (Your creatures can help cast this spell. Each creature you tap while casting this spell pays for or one mana of that creature's color.) Lifelink Other Vampires you control get +1/+1. Madness (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)
Cards like Markov Baron
Markov Baron grants vampire deck enthusiasts a compelling option for creature-based strategies. As we delve into the realm of Magic: The Gathering, it finds its niche among other prominent vampire lords, much like Stromkirk Captain. The Captain offers a different form of bolstering, providing a +1/+1 and first strike advantage to other vampires. This passive enhancement contrasts Markov Baron’s more aggressive approach of allowing a vampire to fight another target creature.
Bearing resemblance in the tribal buff category, we encounter the iconic Bloodline Keeper. This card also empowers your vampire army, but it does so by generating additional vampire tokens, thereby expanding your forces and potential for dominance. What sets Markov Baron apart from the Keeper is the immediate removal potential versus the gradual board presence expansion that the Keeper facilitates.
While comparing these alternatives, it becomes clear that Markov Baron offers a unique blend of aggression and board interaction for vampire-themed decks. It’s this diversity and adaptability that secures its place in the arsenal of MTG tribal strategies, particularly for players looking to steer their vampires to victory through calculated confrontations.
Cards similar to Markov Baron by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Markov Baron. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Vampires | Pioneer | Orzhov Vampires | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-08 |
 | Rakdos Vampires | Standard | Rakdos Vampires | 2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Markov Baron offers unique capabilities that can dominate the board with the potential to summon additional vampire tokens. This effectively bolsters your arsenal, keeping your hand full while deploying threats on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable card comes with the ability to ramp up your resources efficiently. By cheating creatures onto the field, Markov Baron helps to save mana and escalate your board presence, providing a significant advantage as early as possible in the game.
Instant Speed: While Markov Baron itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with cards that operate at instant speed. The power to flash in vampires or activate abilities during your opponent’s turn can catch them off-guard, making Markov Baron a strategic addition to decks that operate on both your turn and your opponent’s.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the notable downsides of the Markov Baron is its demand for a card to be discarded when you play it. This can be a major setback, especially if your hand is already depleted or if you’re holding onto key pieces for your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With its precise mana cost involving black mana, the Markov Baron may not be versatile for all deck types. This card is best suited for decks that can easily produce black mana, potentially restricting its inclusion only to mono-black or black-centric multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Markov Baron comes with a high mana cost, which means it competes with other high-impact cards that could be used in your deck. When considering the balance of your curve and the speed of the current meta, it could be too slow, providing an opportunity for faster decks to gain an advantage.
Reasons to Include Markov Baron in Your Collection
Versatility: Markov Baron offers flexibility in deck building, with its traits complementing a range of vampire and aristocrat strategies. This adaptability can be a significant advantage, allowing players to tweak their decks according to the game’s demands.
Combo Potential: This card can effortlessly integrate into combos with its ability to manipulate counters and take advantage of bloodline perks. Pairing Markov Baron with cards that flourish from +1/+1 counters can lead to powerful synergies and game-changing turns.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where vampire decks are common, Markov Baron can shine. Its potential to swiftly alter the battlefield dynamics makes it a worthy contender in both casual and more competitive settings, ensuring your deck stays competitive.
How to beat
The Markov Baron card presents a real challenge for MTG players with its potent abilities and impactful presence on the battlefield. This formidable card is known for amplifying vampire strategies, making it essential for players to have a plan of action against it. One effective strategy is to prioritize the removal of the Baron before its controller can fully benefit from its abilities. This means employing instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt your opponent’s plays even during their turn.
Another tactic involves taking advantage of cards that limit or negate the abilities of your opponent’s creatures. Using cards with exile effects can be particularly useful, as they prevent any abilities from triggering upon the creature’s death, which is important when facing a creature with potent effects like the Markov Baron. It’s also beneficial to control the tempo of the game by using cards that can tap or otherwise incapacitate the Markov Baron, ensuring it cannot attack or block, and thus mitigating its impact until you can address it permanently.
Remember, in a game of MTG, understanding your opponent’s deck and potential threats, like the Markov Baron, is as important as knowing your own. By keeping a cool head and using your cards effectively, you can triumph over the challenges set by this powerful vampire lord.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Markov Baron MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine: The Aftermath and March of the Machine: The Aftermath, 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 Markov Baron 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 Markov Baron Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-05-12 and 2023-05-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-05-12 | March of the Machine: The Aftermath | MAT | 14 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ina Wong | |
| 2 | 2023-05-12 | March of the Machine: The Aftermath | MAT | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ina Wong | |
| 3 | 2023-05-12 | March of the Machine: The Aftermath | MAT | 198 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Xiaobotong | |
| 4 | 2023-05-12 | March of the Machine: The Aftermath | MAT | 64 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Xiaobotong |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Markov Baron has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Markov Baron card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-05-12 | A card with madness that's discarded counts as having been discarded even though it's put into exile rather than a graveyard. If it was discarded to pay a cost, that cost is still paid. Abilities that trigger when a card is discarded will still trigger. |
| 2023-05-12 | A spell cast for its madness cost is put onto the stack like any other spell. It can be countered, copied, and so on. As it resolves, it's put onto the battlefield if it's a permanent card or into its owner's graveyard if it's an instant or sorcery card. |
| 2023-05-12 | Cards are discarded in a Magic game only from a player's hand. Effects that put cards into a player's graveyard from anywhere else do not cause those cards to be discarded. |
| 2023-05-12 | Casting a spell with madness ignores the timing rules based on the card's card type. For example, you can cast a creature with madness if you discard it during an opponent's turn. |
| 2023-05-12 | If you choose not to cast a card with madness when the madness triggered ability resolves, it's put into your graveyard. Madness doesn't give you another chance to cast it later. |
| 2023-05-12 | If you discard a card with madness to pay the cost of a spell or activated ability, that card's madness triggered ability (and the spell that card becomes, if you choose to cast it) will resolve before the spell or ability the discard paid for. |
| 2023-05-12 | If you discard a card with madness while a spell or ability is resolving, it moves immediately to exile. Continue resolving that spell or ability, noting that the card you discarded is not in your graveyard at this time. Its madness triggered ability will be placed onto the stack once that spell or ability has completely resolved. |
| 2023-05-12 | Madness works independently of why you're discarding the card. You could discard it to pay a cost, because a spell or ability tells you to, or because you have too many cards in your hand during your cleanup step. You can't discard a card with madness just because you want to, though. |