Orcish Bowmasters MTG Card


Orcish Bowmasters can significantly impact the board by removing creatures instantly, using their damage-dealing ability. They pose the disadvantage of demanding a card discard, which can be detrimental to your game plan. Despite their higher casting cost, their versatility makes them a potent addition to creature-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Orc Archer
Abilities Amass, Flash
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flash When Orcish Bowmasters enters the battlefield and whenever an opponent draws a card except the first one they draw in each of their draw steps, Orcish Bowmasters deals 1 damage to any target. Then amass Orcs 1.


Cards like Orcish Bowmasters

Orcish Bowmasters brings a uniquely aggressive edge to Magic: The Gathering’s lineup of creatures. When sizing up against counterparts such as Prodigal Pyromancer, the Bowmasters’ reach ability allows them to be a form of defense against flying creatures, an advantage the Pyromancer does not have. Yet, for immediate impact, the Prodigal Pyromancer offers ping damage without the need for activation costs.

Diving into further comparisons, Thermo-Alchemist stands out with its prowess in repeatedly dealing damage as you cast spells, whereas Orcish Bowmasters require a tap, limiting its offensive capabilities each turn. Unlike the Bowmasters, Thermo-Alchemist wields the potential for multiple activations in a single turn cycle, maximising the impact within spell-heavy decks.

Assessing these similar cards, the Orcish Bowmasters showcase a blend of offense and defense, outshining some in terms of creature control. When integrated thoughtfully into a deck, their archery skills can turn the tide of battle, positioning them as a strategic addition for players who value versatility on the battlefield.

Prodigal Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Thermo-Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Thermo-Alchemist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Orcish Bowmasters by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Orcish Bowmasters. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
JundJund ModernJundModern League 2024-05-15
Rakdos Death's ShadowRakdos Death's Shadow ModernDeath's ShadowModern League 2024-05-15
Rakdos ScamRakdos Scam ModernRakdos ScamModern Preliminary 2024-05-15
YawgmothYawgmoth ModernYawgmothModern League 2024-05-15
Mono-Black ScamMono-Black Scam ModernMono-Black ScamModern League 2024-05-15
DoomsdayDoomsday LegacyDoomsdayLegacy Preliminary 2024-05-15
Dimir ArtifactsDimir Artifacts LegacyBlue ArtifactsLegacy League 2024-05-15
Abzan StonebladeAbzan Stoneblade LegacyAbzan StonebladeLegacy Preliminary 2024-05-15
ReanimatorReanimator LegacyReanimatorLegacy League 2024-05-15
Jund SagaJund Saga ModernJund SagaModern League 2024-05-15

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orcish Bowmasters provide a strategic edge, allowing you to potentially eliminate opposing creatures and streamline your path to victory without losing card equity from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Through the lens of resource advantage, the Orcish Bowmasters may not directly accelerate mana resources, but their ability to control the board can save valuable mana that would otherwise be spent on removal spells.

Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to threats during your opponent’s turn, disrupting their plays and maintaining a tactical upper hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orcish Bowmasters come with a downside of requiring players to discard a card, making it a potentially risky play when your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost necessitates both red and generic mana, which could be restrictive especially in multicolored decks looking for flexibility in their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the abilities it provides, the Orcish Bowmasters have a mana cost on the steeper side. Players might find other cards that offer similar or better effects with a lower investment, making it a less favorable option in some strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Orcish Bowmasters can adapt to various deck strategies due to their ability to deal direct damage to creatures or planeswalkers, providing a tool for both offensive strikes and defensive maneuvers.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, the direct damage ability of Orcish Bowmasters can be amplified or repeated, allowing for synergies with cards that untap creatures, adding a tactical edge to your gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment favoring creature-based decks, Orcish Bowmasters stand out as a relevant inclusion. Their direct damage can shift the state of the board, making them a valuable asset against decks that rely on key creatures to maintain control.


How to beat

Orcish Bowmasters poses a challenge with its ability to deal damage directly to creatures. As an effective removal option in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, this creature card can turn the tide of battle by picking off your smaller creatures. To counter Orcish Bowmasters, consider using spells that grant hexproof or shroud to protect your valuable creatures from being targeted.

An alternative strategy is to employ instant-speed removal to dispatch the Bowmasters before their ability can be activated. Fast-paced decks might outrun the Bowmasters by establishing an overwhelming presence on the board early in the game, thereby diluting their impact. Additionally, employing countermeasures such as Counterspell can prevent the Bowmasters from ever entering the fray, effectively neutralizing the threat before it becomes a problem.

Amidst the multiple strategies in Magic: The Gathering, knowing how to disarm specific threats like Orcish Bowmasters effectively amplifies your tactical edge. It’s these nuances that can tip the scales in your favor, ensuring your creatures survive to claim victory. Balance and foresight are key to master the battlefield and emerge as the ultimate planeswalker.


BurnMana Recommendations

As a dedicated warrior of the MTG battleground, harnessing the full potential of your cards is paramount. Orcish Bowmasters, with their targeted removal can disrupt opponent strategies, turning the tide in your favor. To optimize your deck, understanding the nuances of such cards and their synergies can be game-changing. If you’re intrigued by the Bowmasters and their battlefield prowess, or you’re hunting for strategic ways to upgrade your MTG experience, we’ve got you covered. Delve deeper into deck-building strategies and discover more about Orcish Bowmasters and similar cards to sharpen your competitive edge. Join us to enrich your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orcish Bowmasters MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Orcish Bowmasters and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Orcish Bowmasters Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 4332015NormalBorderlessTyler Jacobson
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 5542015NormalBlackMaxim Kostin
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth PromosPLTR 103s2015NormalBlackMaxim Kostin
42023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 1032015NormalBlackMaxim Kostin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Orcish Bowmasters has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army.
2023-06-16 Amass abilities are now written as "amass
-ubtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N."
2023-06-16 If a spell or ability causes an opponent to put cards into their hand without specifically using the word "draw," it's not a card drawn.
2023-06-16 If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.
2023-06-16 In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
2023-06-16 Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason.
2023-06-16 Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs.
2023-06-16 To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.