Abu Ja'far MTG Card
1993-12-17 - Number 1
1995-07-01 - Number 1
1995-08-01 - Number 1
2002-06-24 - Number 62479
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Abu Ja’far provides board control and can trade with multiple creatures when it dies.
- The card’s low cost and strategic value can deter opponents from attacking early.
- It poses a unique presence that integrates well with instant speed spells in MTG.
Text of card
If Abu dies without regenerating while participating in an attack or defense,all creatures Abu is blocking or being blocked by are also killed and may not regenerate.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Abu Ja’far can be considered a unique addition to your hand due to its ability to provide defensive advantage. When this card is placed in a graveyard from play, it can destroy any creatures that dealt damage to it this turn, potentially sweeping multiple threats off the board and effectively trading one card for several of an opponent’s.
Resource Acceleration: While Abu Ja’far itself does not directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost allows for a swift deployment, preserving mana for other strategic plays. Its presence on the battlefield could deter opponents from attacking, thereby indirectly protecting your more vital resource-generating cards.
Instant Speed: Abu Ja’far’s value is further realized in its synergy with instant speed mechanics. Instant speed removal or bounce spells can be paired with Abu Ja’far to force unfavorable trades for an opponent, or to surprise an aggressor by eliminating their attackers before the damage phase, making it a tactical card in reactive strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Abu Ja’far’s unique ability necessitates a discard from your hand to activate, putting you at a potential disadvantage by depleting your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mono-white mana cost can pose limitations, reducing its flexibility and league play as it naturally fits into fewer deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that might be considered steep for its abilities, players often pass up Abu Ja’far for more cost-effective creatures that bring immediate board presence or value.
Reasons to Include Abu Ja’far in Your Collection
Versatility: Abu Ja’far offers a unique defensive edge for decks that can take advantage of creatures with the ability to deter attackers through its death-triggered removal of any creature it has blocked. This can fit into strategies focused on controlling the board and protecting your life total.
Combo Potential: With its ability to destroy blocking or blocked creatures when it dies, Abu Ja’far can be a key piece in sacrifice-centric combos. This opens up possibilities to easily remove problematic creatures on the board in conjunction with sacrifice outlets.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creature decks are prevalent, Abu Ja’far can serve as a cost-effective tool to regulate the pace of the game and hold off early onslaughts, making it a valuable addition to decks aiming to reach a later stage of the game where they can dominate.
How to beat
Abu Ja’far may seem like a sleeper card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering due to its death-trigger ability that can destroy all creatures that damaged it during the turn. Navigating around this ability is key in ensuring your board presence remains unharmed. To effectively counter this seemingly modest one-drop card, there are several strategies one can employ. Since Abu Ja’far’s ability only triggers upon death, employing exile effects or using spells that bypass creature destruction like ‘Path to Exile’ can cleanly remove it without setting off its effect.
Alternative tactics include preventing combat damage with effects like ‘Holy Day’ to dodge lethal engagements, or using ‘Pacifism’ to prevent Abu Ja’far from attacking or blocking altogether. Additionally, cards with the ‘Indestructible’ attribute avoid the devastating effect of Abu Ja’far’s death-trigger. Managing this card with care and precision will prevent it from turning your creatures to dust and keep you in control of the battlefield.
Understanding the interactions and timing your removals or protective spells precisely can help maintain your army against Abu Ja’far’s potent ability.
Cards like Abu Ja'far
In the rich ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering, Abu Ja’far offers a unique twist on creature abilities. Renowned for its lethal defensive trait, this card destroys any creature it blocks or is blocked by. Its nearest rivals might be cards like Typhoid Rats or Deadly Recluse, both of which also carry the deathtouch ability, granting them a similar threatening presence on the battlefield. However, Abu Ja’far’s ability isn’t classified as deathtouch, making it an interesting alternative.
Another card that warrants comparison is Benalish Hero, which shares the same mana cost and has banding. Although banding is a more complex and versatile ability, it doesn’t guarantee a creature’s destruction like Abu Ja’far’s ability does. Moreover, it does not deter attackers or blockers in the same way, given that banding’s strength lies in strategic defense rather than elimination.
Assessing these comparisons, Abu Ja’far stands out for its simple yet effective ability to ensure the removal of adversaries at the cost of sacrificing itself, a feature that is both a deterrent to opponents and a strategic linchpin in many MTG defenses.
Cards similar to Abu Ja'far by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Abu Ja'far MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Chronicles, 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 Abu Ja'far 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 Abu Ja'far Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 1995-08-01. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 1 | 1993 | normal | black | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 1 | 1993 | normal | white | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
| 3 | 1995-08-01 | Rinascimento | RIN | 1 | 1993 | normal | black | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 62479 | 2015 | normal | black | Ryan Alexander Lee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Abu Ja'far has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
