Steadfast Armasaur MTG Card
Text of card
Vigilance , : Steadfast Armasaur deals damage equal to its toughness to target creature blocking or blocked by it.
"Like the mighty armasaur, we will defend against all who invade our shores." —Itzama the Crested
Cards like Steadfast Armasaur
Steadfast Armasaur offers a unique blend of defensive and offensive capabilities in Magic the Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Walking Ballista, which also possesses the ability to deal damage directly to creatures. However, Steadfast Armasaur requires a target to block or become blocked to utilize its damage-based ability, promoting more tactical play as opposed to Walking Ballista’s more flexible damage allocation.
Morphling is another card that comes to mind, as it provides versatility in combat. Despite Morphling’s broader range of abilities, Steadfast Armasaur takes the edge with its natural deterrent effect on attackers due to its potential to damage attacking creatures. This makes it a solid choice in decks that prioritize board control.
Ultimately, Steadfast Armasaur is not just about being a formidable blocker. Its ability to shape the battlefield by threatening potential damage makes it a nuanced card that brings strategic depth to MTG matches, specifically in formats where combat tricks play a significant role.
Cards similar to Steadfast Armasaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: As a vigilant dinosaur, Steadfast Armasaur can be a key player in maintaining board presence. Although it does not directly allow you to draw cards, it offers a repeatable way to deal damage to attackers or blockers, indirectly helping maintain your hand’s value by dealing with potential threats efficiently.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana acceleration, the Steadfast Armasaur’s ability to impose a tax on your opponent’s actions requires them to deal with it. This can indirectly lead to a resource advantage as opponents must spend more resources to safely attack or block, which can give you a headstart in building up your board and resources.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Steadfast Armasaur’s enrage mechanic at instant speed provides significant tactical advantages. You can decide how and when to trigger it, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy during their turn. Being able to engage and utilize this ability on demand makes this dinosaur a flexible tool during combat phases, giving you the power to influence combat outcomes considerably.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Steadfast Armasaur doesn’t force a discard, it does require a creature sacrifice if you’re unable to pay its ability cost. In a game where every creature counts, this can place you at a strategic disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The Armasaur asks for white mana in both its casting cost and activated ability. This specificity can restrict deck-building options, especially in multi-color decks where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/3 dinosaur with vigilance, the four mana required to cast Steadfast Armasaur can be considered high. There are cards at similar or lower mana costs that could potentially provide a greater immediate impact on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Steadfast Armasaur in Your Collection
Versatility: Steadfast Armasaur’s defensive capabilities make it a great fit for control-heavy decks or those seeking a reliable blocker. Its capacity to deal damage using its enrage ability even makes it a surprise offensive option when needed.
Combo Potential: This dinosaur’s enrage mechanic can be exploited with cards that trigger upon dealing damage, providing synergy with various enrage and damage-based strategies within the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that values board presence, Steadfast Armasaur’s solid stature and ability to fend off multiple attackers make it relevant, especially in formats where combat tricks and creature-heavy decks are prevalent.
How to Beat Steadfast Armasaur
Steadfast Armasaur is a creature card that brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield with its damage prevention ability. Its defensive capabilities make it a solid blocker, capable of surviving encounters that would typically result in a trade. To effectively beat Steadfast Armasaur, players should consider utilizing removal spells that can bypass its damage prevention feature. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are excellent choices as they can remove the Armasaur without having to engage it in combat.
Alternatively, flying creatures are a potent counter as Steadfast Armasaur lacks reach, making it unable to block aerial attackers. Enchantment-based removals such as Pacifism could also be effective to neutralize its combat relevance without triggering its enrage ability. Moreover, strategic gameplay that prioritizes non-combat ways to remove Steadfast Armasaur, like bounce spells or sacrifice effects, can be the key to surpassing this tenacious dinosaur’s battlefield presence.
In essence, while Steadfast Armasaur can be a formidable defender, its strengths can be mitigated with the right mix of removal strategies and evasion tactics to maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steadfast Armasaur MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Steadfast Armasaur 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Steadfast Armasaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Steadfast Armasaur card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | If Steadfast Armasaur is no longer on the battlefield as its ability resolves, use its toughness as it last existed on the battlefield to determine how damage is dealt. |
| 2017-09-29 | Tapping an attacking or blocking creature doesn’t remove it from combat. If the target of Steadfast Armasaur’s ability survives the damage, Steadfast Armasaur will deal combat damage to and be dealt combat damage by that creature as normal. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.