Ironclad Slayer MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Ironclad Slayer provides ongoing card value by recovering precious auras and equipment from the graveyard.
  2. Flexibility for deck building shines with its ability to reassess lost game-changing enchantments or artifacts.
  3. The presence of Ironclad Slayer on the battlefield can significantly influence the opponent’s game strategy.

Text of card

When Ironclad Slayer enters the battlefield, you may return target Aura or Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand.

The best weapon is the one at hand.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ironclad Slayer’s ability to return an Aura or Equipment card from your graveyard to your hand ensures continued value over the course of the game. This retrieval mechanism not only offsets any lost cards but also can dissuade opponents from targeting your enhancements, knowing they could be easily recovered.

Resource Acceleration: Although Ironclad Slayer does not directly accelerate resources in traditional ways, such as ramping mana, it compensates by accelerating your access to key resources. Recovering powerful Auras or Equipment can swiftly shift the balance of power on the board, essentially functioning as a form of indirect resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Ironclad Slayer’s ability is not at instant speed, its presence prompts a more cautious approach from opponents. The mere potential of reusing potent enchantments or equipment at any point after it hits the field can affect the pace and plays of the game, giving you a psychological edge over your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the limitations of the Ironclad Slayer is that it necessitates having an Aura or Equipment card in the graveyard to utilize its ability. This prerequisite means you could be at a disadvantage if your graveyard doesn’t have the appropriate cards when the Slayer enters the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Ironclad Slayer has a casting cost that includes white mana, which might make it less flexible for multi-color decks that can’t consistently produce white mana. This requirement can sometimes restrict the card’s inclusion to primarily white or two-color decks where white is a dominant color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Ironclad Slayer may be considered a bit costly for its stats and effect. In environments where game pace is crucial, players may opt for lower-cost creatures or those with immediate impact, as opposed to waiting to derive value from the Slayer’s ability to return an Aura or Equipment from the graveyard.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ironclad Slayer offers flexibility in deck building, being a solid choice for strategies that capitalize on auras and equipment. Its ability to return these cards from your graveyard to your hand makes it a valuable recurring asset in the right setup.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a key piece in combo decks, where it can repeatedly bring back essential auras or equipment. Whether it’s to re-equip a powerful artifact or to reanimate an enchantment that boosts your winning condition, Ironclad Slayer keeps your game plan in motion.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where removal spells can disrupt your equipment or aura-based strategies, having a way to get those pieces back is crucial. Ironclad Slayer ensures that you maintain pressure and have the tools you need to adapt to various meta challenges.


How to Beat Ironclad Slayer

Ironclad Slayer is a unique creature in the MTG realm, appreciated for its ability to return an Aura or Equipment card from the graveyard to its owner’s hand. If you’re facing this resilient card, it’s vital to manage your opponent’s graveyard and interrupt the Slayer’s recursion capability. Employing cards with exile effects can effectively remove targeted Auras or Equipment before the Slayer has the opportunity to resurrect them. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Relic of Progenitus can also prevent the card’s ability from being a recurring concern in the matchup.

Another strategy is to limit the Slayer’s battlefield presence. Ensuring that removal spells or counters are held in reserve for the moment the Ironclad Slayer enters the battlefield can prove crucial. This way, you prevent the card’s ability from ever being activated. Board wipes can also reset the game state, taking the Slayer and other creatures out of the equation at once. By carefully planning your moves and keeping control of the graveyard, you can successfully navigate past Ironclad Slayer’s strategic advantage.

Ultimately, denying your opponent’s ability to benefit from Ironclad Slayer’s recursion can give you the upper hand, making their strategy far less effective and positioning you for a win. By understanding and disrupting the synergies of your opponent’s deck, you maintain control over the flow of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Ironclad Slayer stands as a unique piece in MTG, its knack for retrieving Auras and Equipment from the graveyard making it a strategic asset. As you build your collection and refine your deck, consider the versatility and resilience that Ironclad Slayer can offer. Tailor your deck to take advantage of its abilities and stay ahead in your matches, continually developing your strategy to harness the full potential of your cards. Are you ready to deepen your understanding and optimize your gameplay with Ironclad Slayer’s unique capabilities? Dive in with us and discover the advanced tactics that can help you claim victory in your next duel.


Cards like Ironclad Slayer

Ironclad Slayer stands out in the Magic: The Gathering universe as a utility creature with a very specific function. Unlike generic creatures, Ironclad Slayer allows a player to return an Aura or Equipment card from their graveyard to their hand, a trait echoing cards like Auramancer. Auramancer shares a similar function, able to retrieve only Aura cards, leaving Equipment cards untouched, which can be crucial depending on the deck’s strategy.

Another card worth mentioning is Trusty Retriever, a more flexible option, offering a choice between an Artifact or an Enchantment when it enters the battlefield. However, it lacks the human synergy that Ironclad Slayer possesses, which can be beneficial in human-centric decks. Additionally, Trusty Retriever comes with a slightly higher mana cost which could be a deciding factor during gameplay.

Analyzing Ironclad Slayer in the context of these similar cards showcases its unique advantages within MTG, particularly in decks that capitalize on equipping creatures or enchantment synergies. The ability to selectively retrieve key components offers strategic depth and recycling potential, solidifying Ironclad Slayer’s unique role in players’ decks.

Auramancer - MTG Card versions
Trusty Retriever - MTG Card versions
Auramancer - Odyssey (ODY)
Trusty Retriever - Jumpstart (JMP)

Cards similar to Ironclad Slayer by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Elvish Healer - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Snow Hound - Ice Age (ICE)
Elvish Healer - Ice Age (ICE)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Stern Marshal - Portal (POR)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Kitsune Palliator - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Field Marshal - Coldsnap (CSP)
Kithkin Healer - Lorwyn (LRW)
Kor Hookmaster - Zendikar (ZEN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ironclad Slayer MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Commander Legends, 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 Ironclad Slayer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ironclad Slayer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 312015normalblackRyan Pancoast
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3762015normalblackRyan Pancoast
32023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 352015normalblackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ironclad Slayer has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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