Viscerid Armor MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 41b
1996-06-10 - Number 41a
2008-09-22 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gets +1/+1. o1o U: Return Viscerid Armor to owner's hand.
One Viscerid's death is often another's gain.
Cards like Viscerid Armor
Viscerid Armor is a unique enchantment in the diverse environment of Magic: The Gathering. When looking at similar cards, we notice Armor of Thorns as an enchantment that also offers a temporary power boost to your creatures. Both cards grant a protective buff; however, Viscerid Armor’s versatility shines with its ability to be sacrificed, providing utility even when you’re in a pinch. Another enchantment to consider is Holy Strength. Although Holy Strength provides a constant bonus without the self-sacrifice feature, it lacks the flexibility Viscerid Armor offers.
Further along that spectrum, Fencer’s Magemark stands out with its capability to grant bonus power not only to the enchanted creature but also to other creatures you control that share a creature type with it. Unlike Viscerid Armor, Fencer’s Magemark lacks the option for immediate sacrifice, thus limiting its reactive use during the game. Additionally, Spider Umbra offers resilience with its totem armor ability which can save the creature it’s enchanting from destruction. Viscerid Armor does not protect creatures from destruction, but it does borrow the reusable aspect by returning to your hand to be cast again.
In essence, while Viscerid Armor may not offer permanent buffs or creature-saving features, its strategic value lies in its dual purpose as both an enhancer and a sacrifice-ready tool, situating it as a smart choice for players seeking flexible in-game options.
Cards similar to Viscerid Armor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Viscerid Armor not only presents a potential to thwart an attacker or enhance a creature but it also cycles from your hand, letting you replace it with another card from your deck. This maintains your card flow and can help dig for more strategic options.
Resource Acceleration: By providing instant access to creature enhancement, Viscerid Armor can function as a form of resource acceleration. It enables your creatures to become more formidable threats sooner, potentially overpowering your opponent’s blockers or surviving what would otherwise be a deadly encounter.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Viscerid Armor offers the strategic benefit of flexibility and surprise. You can adapt to battlefield changes in real-time, using the spell to alter combat outcomes or respond to your opponent’s actions when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Viscerid Armor prompts you to discard a card, which can be a setback when your hand is already depleted. This self-imposed card disadvantage can hinder your gameplay, especially if you are not running a deck that benefits from or can mitigate graveyard interactions.
Specific Mana Cost: Equipping Viscerid Armor demands a blue mana, which confines its utility to blue-inclusive decks. If you are not running a deck that generates blue mana efficiently, you might find it challenging to integrate and use this armor to its fullest potential within your strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it can provide a decent boost, the combined casting and equip cost is on the higher end for what it delivers. There are other equipment cards or auras available in MTG that might offer similar or better effects with less mana investment, making Viscerid Armor a less optimal choice for players keeping an eye on mana curve efficiency.
Reasons to Include Viscerid Armor in Your Collection
Versatility: Viscerid Armor offers a unique tweak to creature enhancement, as it can be moved between creatures at instant speed. This allows for reactive gameplay and can fit into a diverse range of strategies, ensuring that it’s never a dead card in your hand.
Combo Potential: This card is a key component in decks that capitalize on sacrificing creatures for value. Its ability to easily attach to another creature means it can continuously feed engines that get stronger with each cycle of death and resurrection.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies dominate, having a card that can swing combat in your favor repeatedly can be incredibly impactful. Add to that the low mana cost for equipping, and Viscerid Armor proves its worth as a card that can consistently affect the board state.
How to beat
Viscerid Armor is an intriguing card in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, offering a unique blend of protection and adaptability. It shines in the realm of creature enhancement, bestowing a significant toughness boost. But like every card in MTG, it has its vulnerabilities. When facing a creature equipped with Viscerid Armor, the key is to alter your strategy to deal with an enemy that’s become a fortified threat.
Removal spells that circumvent toughness, for instance, are an excellent way to counteract the resilience Viscerid Armor offers. Effects that say “destroy target creature” or “exile target creature” can effectively bypass any enhancements Viscerid Armor applies. Moreover, spells or abilities that force a creature to sacrifice blank the Armor’s effects, as they do not care about the creature’s stats. Observing the battlefield and holding your removal until Viscerid Armor is deployed can often take your opponent by surprise and swing the momentum in your favor. It’s about timing and the strategic deployment of your own resources to dismantle the layered defenses that Viscerid Armor provides.
In conclusion, having the right removal tools and the strategic foresight to use them at the opportune moment is crucial to overcoming the protective barrier that Viscerid Armor creates in MTG games. Armed with these insights, players can navigate past the enhanced durability and maintain control of the game state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Viscerid Armor MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Viscerid Armor 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 Viscerid Armor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 41b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 41a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 72 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Viscerid Armor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |