Veteran Armorer MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 34
2013-06-07 - Number 34
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Other creatures you control get +0/+1.
"Give me a sword and I'll kill a few enemies. But give me a hammer and a fiery forge, and I'll turn the tide of battle."
Cards like Veteran Armorer
Veteran Armorer is a stalwart piece in the world of creature support in Magic: The Gathering. Bearing resemblance to other creature buffs, such as Glorious Anthem, the armorer shines by offering a static boost to your team’s toughness. In contrast, Glorious Anthem increases both power and toughness of your creatures but with a higher mana cost. Veteran Armorer’s prowess lies in its ability to be both an enhancement and a creature.
Stepping into the arena of comparison is Always Watching, which not only buffs creatures’ stats but also bestows vigilance, though at a noncreature spell slot. Veteran Armorer, durable as it is in defense, doesn’t bestow vigilance but provides its services with no additional mana investment once on the battlefield. Another notable comparison is Benalish Marshal; while this card offers a full buff to other creatures, it also demands a strict white mana cost, which can be less flexible than the accommodating nature of Veteran Armorer’s single white mana requirement.
In reviewing the options for creature support, Veteran Armorer may not be the mightiest in terms of raw power enhancement but stands as a valuable defensive fortification. With its low cost and creature presence, it retains a solid position in the decks that aim to protect and preserve their board against the tide of battle.
Cards similar to Veteran Armorer by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Veteran Armorer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Aggro | Pauper | Pauper Jungle | |
| White weenie | Pauper | 1° Tappa - Season 6 - Road to Paupergeddon Winter edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Veteran Armorer doesn’t directly provide traditional card advantage, its ability to bolster your other creatures simply by being on the battlefield can free up your manoeverability in using other cards for aggressive or defensive strategies. Having a stronger board presence indirectly leads to card advantage as your creatures can become less susceptible to your opponent’s single-target removals, effectively negating their card investment.
Resource Acceleration: Veteran Armorer itself may not generate additional mana, but by strengthening your creatures’ toughness, it ensures that your resources remain on the board longer. This continuous preservation of your creatures means you are effectively accelerating your resource advantage in the long run by not having to spend additional mana recasting creatures as often.
Instant Speed: Although the Veteran Armorer’s ability is not activated at instant speed, the static buff to other creatures it provides is always “on,” making any instant speed interactions your creatures are involved in more favorable. Moreover, dropping the Armorer pre-emptively can discourage opponents from attacking or blocking in a way that they would have if the power/toughness boost was not in effect, subtly adding to your instantaneous board strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect to consider is that certain deck strategies might require a card like Veteran Armorer to be discarded for an effect or cost, which isn’t ideal for every game scenario. This becomes especially tricky when your hand is already depleted or when each card’s presence in play is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Veteran Armorer demands a precise mana combination to cast, requiring both white and generic mana. This necessity restricts the card to decks with a white color identity, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored or colorless decks that don’t align with white’s strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not overly expensive, Veteran Armorer’s mana cost might be considered high for its stat line and ability. With competing creatures and spells offering more impactful effects or higher stats at similar or lower costs, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of including it in your deck against other available options.
Reasons to Include Veteran Armorer in Your Collection
Versatility: Veteran Armorer is a solid addition to various deck archetypes since it boosts the toughness of all your other creatures. This can be particularly beneficial in decks designed around defensive strategies or those that utilize creatures with abilities tied to their staying power.
Combo Potential: With the Armorer’s ability to increase the survivability of your creatures, it pairs well with cards that have effects when damage is dealt or when creatures die. It’s a linchpin in combos that rely on creatures staying alive to generate effects or value turn after turn.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta full of board wipes and damage-based removal, Veteran Armorer can be a crucial asset. Its ability to toughen up your team means your creatures are more likely to withstand commonly played sweepers, keeping your side of the battlefield intact against adversaries.
How to beat
Veteran Armorer is a useful card for bolstering your creatures’ defenses in MTG. Its ability to provide a static buff to your team’s toughness can make your creatures difficult to remove in combat scenarios. When facing this card, it is vital to adjust your strategy accordingly. Utilizing removal spells that do not depend on damage is a smart approach. Cards like Path to Exile or Go for the Throat can circumvent the toughness boost and eliminate the Veteran Armorer without engaging in combat.
Another effective tactic is to employ board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which do not discriminate based on creature size. These can reset the playing field, rendering the Armorer’s buff inconsequential. Alternatively, taking advantage of flying creatures, or those with unblockable abilities, allows you to circumvent the fortified ground forces and apply direct pressure to your opponent.
Ultimately, while Veteran Armorer can present a temporary roadblock, with the right removal or evasion strategies, you can neutralize its impact and maintain the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Veteran Armorer MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Modern Masters, 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 Veteran Armorer and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Veteran Armorer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2013-06-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 34 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ralph Horsley | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 34 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Veteran Armorer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |