Master of Arms MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Abilities	First strike
Released	1997-06-09
Set symbol
Set name	Weatherlight
Set code	WTH
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	20
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Frazier

Key Takeaways

Enhances battlefield control by untapping creatures, which is ideal for reactive play and combo setups.
Demands careful resource management due to its discard requirement, emphasizing strategic hand conservation.
While mana-costly, it offers a unique combat dynamic that justifies its inclusion in various deck themes.

Text of card

First strike o1oo W Tap target creature blocking Master of Arms.

"Being the best usually means proving it to everyone." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Master of Arms has the ability to untap your other creatures, providing strategic advantage and potential card interactions on the battlefield. Such an effect could synergize with cards that have tap abilities, letting you gain multiple uses out of a single card within a turn.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource accelerator, the Master of Arms can indirectly contribute to this by helping to keep your blockers ready or by untapping mana dorks for additional mana generation. It fits into strategies aimed at maximizing the use of your creatures as resources.

Instant Speed: Although Master of Arms itself is not an instant, its effect synergizes well with instant-speed spells. Since it can untap your creatures, you can surprise your opponents by untapping a creature with a tap ability after they’ve made their move, disrupting their plans and gaining the upper hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Master of Arms requires you to discard a card to fully utilize its abilities, which could put you at a disadvantage if you’re running low on cards in hand. Such a requirement demands careful consideration of resource management throughout the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Master of Arms on the battlefield involves a white mana-heavy investment. This can potentially limit deck-building options, as it aligns best with mono-white or decks heavily weighted toward white mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered steep for its abilities, Master of Arms competes with other creatures and spells in the same cost bracket. Players must weigh the tactical advantage of its presence against other cards that potentially offer greater value or impact on the game state for similar investment.

Reasons to Include Master of Arms in Your Collection

Versatility: The Master of Arms card offers a unique play experience that adapts seamlessly to a variety of deck themes. As a creature, it solidifies the battlefield presence and potentially bolsters your defense line or offensive strategies depending on the situation.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to untap any creature that it blocks or becomes blocked by, opens up the field for multiple creative interactions. It creates opportunities for untapping your own creatures for additional effects or disrupting opponent combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a fluctuating MTG competitive landscape where creature-based tactics are prominent, Master of Arms can act as a deterrent to aggressive strategies. It fits well in metagames where combat tricks and creature-based standoffs dictate the pace of play.

How to beat

Master of Arms is a card that reminds players of the intricate combat phase nuances in Magic: The Gathering. Players familiar with this card should understand the importance of anticipating an opponent’s moves. To effectively counter the abilities of Master of Arms, it is essential to focus on removing it before it becomes a threat. This is especially true during your opponent’s turn, to prevent them from leveraging its ability to tap potential blockers.

Strategic use of instant-speed removal spells can help in managing Master of Arms. Cards such as Swords to Plowshares or Doom Blade can effectively handle the threat before it can impact the game. Moreover, considering a Master of Arms deck might rely on it to secure the offensive, having countermeasures ready will help steer the game in your favor. It is also wise to keep board wipes or controlling cards handy if the Master of Arms is part of a larger creature-based strategy.

By understanding the mechanics behind Master of Arms and planning your deck with direct answers to creature threats, you’ll bolster your defenses against this tricky card. Wise and timely removal can lead to maintaining control over the battlefield, leaving your opponents disarmed.

Cards like Master of Arms

Master of Arms stands out in the lineage of creature cards in MTG which emphasize tactical combat. It bears resemblance to cards like Benalish Hero with the Banding ability, allowing for strategic blocking options. Master of Arms, however, introduces a unique twist to combat engagement, as it taps a target creature when it becomes blocked. This provides a significant advantage, disrupting your opponent’s combat plans without requiring an additional cost.

Comparatively, we can look at Master Decoy from the same set, which shares the same mana value and also hails from the Tactics theme. Master Decoy can tap creatures, yet it doesn’t require being blocked or engaging in combat itself—it’s an ability that can be activated at will. While Master Decoy offers more control over the battlefield, Master of Arms excels when it’s in the thick of battle, potentially turning the tide when blocking larger threats.

Therefore, while examining combat-centric cards, Master of Arms is a compelling choice for MTG players who enjoy active defense strategies. Its ability to control combat engagements gives it a special place within the battlefield tactics spectrum in MTG.

Cards similar to Master of Arms by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Master of Arms MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Master of Arms and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Master of Arms has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Master of Arms card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.