Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 115a
1999-05-01 - Number 115
1999-05-01 - Number 115b
2009-09-07 - Number 108
2002-06-24 - Number 36130
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Soldier Warrior |
| Abilities | Haste,Horsemanship |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Despite lacking card draw, Lu Bu’s powerful attacks create a beneficial board state, indirectly providing card advantage.
- Its haste allows immediate game impact, similar to instant effects, surprising opponents and altering the board quickly.
- Mana-intensive with color specificity, Lu Bu requires careful deck construction but rewards with a strong battlefield presence.
Text of card
Haste; horsemanship (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with horsemanship.)
"Dong Zhuo's man, Lu Bu, warrior without peer, / Far surpassed the champions of his sphere."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms doesn’t directly let you draw additional cards, its significant combat prowess can lead to advantageous board states. Eliminating opposing creatures can effectively serve as card advantage when it translates to maintaining more cards in play than your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Commanding a hefty six mana to cast, Lu Bu doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration. However, its presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from engaging in battles, potentially allowing you to develop your resources unhindered and utilize mana spent on other spells more efficiently.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Lu Bu’s hastening ability means it can impact the game immediately upon being cast. This can surprise an unprepared opponent and offers a tactical advantage akin to instant speed interaction, as it can swing life totals or eliminate key threats right away.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms is the necessity to discard another card when you cast it. This can be particularly taxing in gameplay situations where your hand is already depleted, thus potentially putting you at a disadvantage by further reducing your options.
Specific Mana Cost: Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms requires a specific combination of mana colors to cast, which can be restrictive. This can complicate deck-building for players who wish to integrate Lu Bu into multi-color decks, possibly forcing alterations in mana base or strategy to accommodate this card’s inclusion.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a significant chunk of your mana resources, this card comes with a high cost that may impact your ability to play other spells in the same turn. Considering the competitive environment of MTG, where optimal resource use is crucial, there might be more mana-efficient options available for achieving similar or better effects, potentially limiting Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms’ playability in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms in Your Collection
Versatility: Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms is a dynamic card that can be easily slotted into various deck archetypes. Its impressive power level can turn the tides in aggressive strategies as well as offering significant board presence in midrange builds.
Combo Potential: With abilities that synergize well with equipment and aura spells, Lu Bu can be the centerpiece of powerful combo decks. Its potential to become a commanding force with the right support cards makes it a fearsome contender in many matches.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creatures with high impact and immediate board influence, Lu Bu stands out as a card that can compete with top-tier threats. Its ability to challenge opponents and demand answers upon entry makes it a game-changer in the current dynamic of competitive play.
How to beat
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms is a powerful creature in MTG that comes with an impressive combination of abilities, making it a formidable opponent on the battlefield. One key to overcoming this card lies in understanding that Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms’ strength is his offense rather than his defense. Thus, strategies that remove or neutralize him before he can declare an attack are typically most effective.
Removal spells are your best line of defense against Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms. Instant-speed removal like “Path to Exile” or “Terminate” allow you to handle him during your opponent’s turn or in response to an attack. Board wipes such as “Wrath of God” can also clear the battlefield of threats like Lu Bu, irrespective of how many creatures your opponent has amassed.
Controlling the game’s pace is crucial. Counterspells prevent Lu Bu from entering the battlefield at all. If he does manage to get into play, enchantments or abilities that tap him down or prevent combat damage can strip him of his power temporarily, turning the tide of battle. With the right mix of control and removal, you can ensure that Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms’ tenure on the battlefield is short-lived.
Cards like Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms represents a unique niche in MTG as a legendary creature with formidable aggression and strategic depth. When eyeing cards similar to Lu Bu, we can’t help but draw parallels with cards like Aurelia, the Warleader. Both are legendary creatures that amplify combat phases, yet Aurelia provides a repeating benefit, offering a second combat phase, while Lu Bu’s strength lies in his immediate impact on the board with horsemanship, making him difficult to block.
In terms of raw power, there’s a likeness between Lu Bu and creatures like Gisela, Blade of Goldnight, another heavy hitter with the potential to change the state of the game quickly. While Gisela doubles damage to opponents and halving damage to you, Lu Bu comes across as a more straightforward offensive play with lesser defenses but similar potential for swift and devastating attacks.
In conclusion, Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms stands out amongst MTG cards for its aggressive playstyle and evasive ability. Although alternatives may offer some form of combat enhancement, Lu Bu’s unique horsemanship trait and significant power level carve out a specialized, formidable space for him in red creature decks, making him a force that can catch opponents off guard with his unblockable prowess.
Cards similar to Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms MTG card by a specific set like Portal: Three Kingdoms Promos and Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Printings
The Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Gao Jianzhang.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal: Three Kingdoms Promos | PPTK | 115a | 1997 | normal | white | Gao Jianzhang | |
| 2 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 115 | 1997 | normal | white | Gao Jianzhang | |
| 3 | 1999-05-01 | Portal: Three Kingdoms Promos | PPTK | 115b | 1997 | normal | white | Gao Jianzhang | |
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36130 | 1997 | normal | black | Gao Jianzhang | ||
| 5 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 108 | 1997 | normal | black | Gao Jianzhang |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Despite the similarities between horsemanship and flying, horsemanship doesn’t interact with flying or reach. |
