Arcbound Bruiser MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Modular
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Power	0
Toughness	0
Number	94
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Christopher Moeller

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by transferring +1/+1 counters to other artifacts when destroyed.
Enhances artifact-based strategies, supporting long-term board development.
Instant speed interactions with other artifacts provide strategic in-game flexibility.

Text of card

Modular 3 (This comes into play with three +1/+1 counters on it. When it's put into a graveyard, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)

Break in case of emergency.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The modular ability of Arcbound Bruiser sets up potential gains in card advantage by ensuring that, even if the Bruiser leaves the battlefield, its +1/+1 counters can live on through another artifact creature, streamlining your board state without losing resources.

Resource Acceleration: As the game advances, Arcbound Bruiser complements strategies focused on artifact synergies. It can be a key piece in accelerating the effectiveness of other artifact-centric cards, boosting their abilities or nurturing strategies that capitalize on artifact quantity and quality.

Instant Speed: Although Arcbound Bruiser itself is not an instant speed card, it effectively interacts with cards that are. By transferring its counters at instant speed when combined with other artifacts or abilities, it provides flexibility in responding to the dynamic state of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Arcbound Bruiser doesn’t have a discard requirement, players should be mindful of potential synergies within artifact-centric decks that could warrant sacrificing card advantage for the sake of enhancements.

Specific Mana Cost: Arcbound Bruiser’s mana cost necessitates two generic and one specific mana (of any color), which may not be overly restrictive, but can influence curve considerations in tightly tuned decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost total of three mana for a 0/0 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters, there are alternatives in the MTG universe that may offer a more immediate impact or lower-cost efficiency for aggressive strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcbound Bruiser can be a versatile piece in artifact-heavy and modular decks, adapting well to different play styles. Its inherent modular ability allows for strategic placement of +1/+1 counters, making it a flexible addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: As a modular creature, Arcbound Bruiser has great synergy with other artifact creatures. It can pass on its counters when it dies, making it crucial for combinations that capitalize on counter manipulation and conservation.

Meta-Relevance: With the fluctuating MTG meta, Arcbound Bruiser holds relevance in formats where artifact strategies remain prevalent. Its durability and the value it provides upon leaving the field keeps it pertinent in various competitive decks.

How to beat

The Arcbound Bruiser is an intriguing artifact creature in the world of MTG, often seen flexing its muscle in artifact-centric and modular decks. Its presence on the battlefield can be a real threat due to its potential growth through modular mechanics. However, understanding its strengths can lead to strategic countermeasures. Artifact removal spells such as Naturalize or Shatter are direct answers, nullifying the Bruiser before it becomes too powerful. Enchantment-based removals like Oblivion Ring can sideline it indefinitely, providing a clean solution to a growing problem.

Combat tricks also serve as a method to handle the Bruiser in battle. By using instant spells that boost your creatures’ power or provide protection, like Blossoming Defense or Gods Willing, you can outmaneuver and eliminate the Bruiser during combat. Additionally, employing board wipes like Wrath of God ensure the removal of all creatures, including those pesky artifact creatures. It’s all about anticipating the growth of the Bruiser and timing your responses effectively.

Ultimately, to secure your victory against a deck featuring the Arcbound Bruiser, prioritize versatile removals and be proactive in managing the artifact threat. By doing so, you can minimize the impact of the Bruiser and maintain control of the game state.

Understanding the Strengths of Arcbound Bruiser

Arcbound Bruiser joins the ranks of artifact creatures with modular in the versatile landscape of MTG. This card allows players to enter the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters, setting it apart in a niche of similar MTG artifacts. It bears a kinship to cards like Arcbound Worker, which also features the modular ability but with a lower initial investment and a smaller modular benefit with only a single +1/+1 counter.

Cards like Arcbound Bruiser

The Arcbound Bruiser stands as a formidable inclusion among artifact creatures in MTG. Its modular nature invites comparison to other creatures like Arcbound Stinger and Arcbound Slith. The Stinger, for instance, costs less and comes with flying, ensuring a more immediately impactful presence despite its smaller size. The Slith, conversely, possesses the potential for growth with each combat hit delivered to a player, a feature not directly shared with the Bruiser. Both alternatives exemplify the balance between cost, evasion, and growth potential within the modular creature family.

When evaluating the effectiveness of modular creatures, Arcbound Bruiser confidently holds its ground. It offers a reasonable compromise between its casting cost and the ability to distribute counters post-demise, making it a staple for decks capitalizing on synergy between artifacts and board presence.

Cards similar to Arcbound Bruiser by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcbound Bruiser MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Arcbound Bruiser and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arcbound Bruiser has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-09-25	If this creature gets enough -1/-1 counters put on it to cause its toughness to be 0 or less (or the damage marked on it to be lethal), modular will put a number of +1/+1 counters on the target artifact creature equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on this creature before it left the battlefield.