Merry Bards MTG Card

Merry Bards’ token generation can significantly boost board presence and offer strategic advantages in gameplay. Capable of providing resource acceleration, it allows players to play spells earlier and more efficiently. However, the discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit its versatility and inclusion in some decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Bard
Abilities	Role token
Released	2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set name	Wilds of Eldraine
Set code	WOE
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	140
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Iris Compiet

Text of card

When Merry Bards enters the battlefield, you may pay . When you do, create a Young Hero Role token attached to target creature you control. (If you control another Role on it, put that one into the graveyard. Enchanted creature has "Whenever this creature attacks, if its toughness is 3 or less, put a +1/+1 counter on it.")

Cards like Merry Bards

The enchanting Merry Bards card provides a symphony of benefits for players in Magic: The Gathering. Attuned to the strategy of incremental advantage, it bears resemblance to other cards that bolster creature abilities. Take Oakenform, for instance. This card gives a single creature a significant power boost, though without Merry Bards’ flexibility to split that advantage across multiple creatures.

Another card that dances in this category is Glorious Anthem. While it offers a consistent power and toughness increase to all your creatures, it does not have the merry flexibility of distributing +1/+1 counters that Merry Bards has, which can be vital in response to removal threats. Then there’s the card Collective Effort, an echelon card that can also place +1/+1 counters on creatures. However, Collective Effort is a one-time event unlike the ongoing effect of Merry Bards.

When compared side by side, Merry Bards hits the right notes, offering versatility and the ability to impact the board across multiple turns. It stands as an unsung hero that might just orchestrate your path to victory in MTG.

Cards similar to Merry Bards by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

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Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Merry Bards can potentially provide you an additional creature on the battlefield without spending a card from your hand, increasing your options and board presence while conserving valuable resources.

Resource Acceleration: By producing a token that can tap for mana, Merry Bards potentially act as a form of resource acceleration, allowing you to cast more expensive spells ahead of schedule or ease the strain on your mana base.

Instant Speed: The ability to use Merry Bards at instant speed means, you can more effectively manage your turn, responding to opponents’ actions with precision or deploying threats unexpectedly at the end of their turn, keeping your strategy flexible and reactive.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Merry Bards card stipulates that players must discard a card to utilize its abilities. This can create a difficult decision if a player’s hand is valuable or limited, possibly leaving them at a disadvantage in terms of card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Merry Bards comes with a mana cost that is not easily splashed into just any deck. Its requirement for a particular color combination restricts its playability, favoring those who are committed to that color pair or archetype.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating cards for deck inclusion, mana efficiency is key. With a more substantial mana investment compared to other options in the game, Merry Bards might not be the first choice for players looking to maximize their mana in the early to mid-game stages.

Reasons to Include Merry Bards in Your Collection

Versatility: Merry Bards offers flexibility as it can seamlessly integrate into strategies that thrive on producing creature tokens or that require spellslinging synergy. This card is a fit for a variety of deck themes, from bard-inspired tales to token swarm strategies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to produce a token every time you cast a historic spell means it works brilliantly with combos that capitalize on spellcasting or creature generation, amplifying the effects of each cast.

Meta-Relevance: Given its adaptability and the rising popularity of token-based and historic spell decks, Merry Bards holds its ground well in a diverse meta. It can create a significant board presence over time that can be leveraged in multiple game scenarios.

How to beat

The Merry Bards card is known for its ability to amass a substantial number of tokens quickly, overwhelming opponents with a persistent board presence. Facing off against this tuneful threat requires strategic planning and appropriate countermeasures. Access to board wipes can be crucial as they efficiently clear the numerous tokens generated. Cards such as Wrath of God or Doomskar can reset the board, keeping the Merry Bards’ ability in check.

Spot removal spells, although handy, might not be as efficient due to the multitude of tokens created. Instead, focus on preventing the Merry Bards from triggering their token generation. Enchantment removal like Disenchant or targeted counterspells such as Dovin’s Veto can disrupt the tempo and give you a fighting chance. Prioritizing the removal or countering of key cards that synergize with Merry Bards can also turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Ultimately, controlling the board state and keeping their token numbers manageable will be your best bet. Efficient use of resources and timing of key spells should give you the edge needed to overcome an opponent reliant on the Merry Bards’ merry-making capabilities.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Merry Bards MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Merry Bards and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Merry Bards has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2023-09-01	A permanent can have multiple Roles attached to it if each one is controlled by a different player.
2023-09-01	Cards in the Wilds of Eldraine main set create six different Role tokens: Cursed, Monster, Royal, Sorcerer, Wicked, and Young Hero. A seventh Role token, Virtuous, is created by Ellivere of the Wild Court, the commander of the “Virtue and Valor” Commander Deck.
2023-09-01	Hexproof and shroud won’t prevent a Role from becoming attached to a permanent if the ability creating that Role attached to that permanent doesn’t target it.
2023-09-01	If a permanent has more than one Role attached to it controlled by the same player, each of those Roles except the one with the most recent timestamp is put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action.
2023-09-01	If two or more Roles controlled by the same player become attached to a permanent at the same time (perhaps due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), that player chooses which one to keep and which are put into their owners’ graveyards.
2023-09-01	In rare cases, a spell or ability might attempt to create a Role token enchanting a permanent that it can’t legally enchant (because of an ability like protection from enchantments). In such cases, the Role token isn’t created.
2023-09-01	Roles are colorless enchantment tokens. Each one has the Aura and Role subtypes and the enchant creature ability.
2023-09-01	Some spells and abilities that create Role tokens require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won’t resolve. The Role token won’t be created.
2023-09-01	You don't choose a target for Merry Bards's ability at the time its enters-the-battlefield ability triggers. Rather, a second "reflexive" ability triggers when you pay this way. You choose a target for that ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal.