Arcbound Lancer MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Beast
Abilities	First strike,Modular
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Power	0
Toughness	0
Number	98
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Avon

Key Takeaways

Arcbound Lancer is a potent standalone card that enhances others upon leaving the battlefield.
The card is a strategic fit in artifact-centric decks, melding well with counter synergies.
While costly, its resilience to removal helps maintain its relevancy in evolving metas.

Text of card

First strike Modular 4 (This comes into play with four +1/+1 counters on it. When it's put into a graveyard, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipped with modular 4, Arcbound Lancer enters the battlefield as a strong standalone threat and, upon death, empowers another artifact creature with its counters. This built-in resilience secures continuous utility, effectively providing card advantage as opponents must overcome multiple threats consecutively.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration in the traditional sense, Arcbound Lancer fits seamlessly into artifact-oriented decks that often utilize synergies to unlock additional mana sources. This aspect helps to leverage existing board states for more efficient plays.

Instant Speed: The beneficial effects of Arcbound Lancer’s modular ability can be maximized at instant speed within the MTG framework. By interacting with sacrifice outlets or other instant-speed mechanics, players can distribute +1/+1 counters strategically, seizing the opportune moment to bolster their battlefield presence in response to shifting game dynamics.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Arcbound Lancer doesn’t specifically require you to discard a card, equipping it with modular capabilities means you might need to sacrifice other artifacts or creatures to fully utilize its potential, which could result in a net loss of resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Arcbound Lancer demands a considerable investment of mana, specifically seven and one of which must be generic. This restricts its immediate playability and requires a commitment to building up your mana base before you can cast it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a steep casting cost of seven mana, Arcbound Lancer is quite expensive compared to alternative creatures. This high cost can often lead to it sitting in your hand while faster, more efficient threats are played by opponents.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Arcbound Lancer fits seamlessly into decks harnessing the power of +1/+1 counters, especially in modular-focused builds that allow for the transfer of counters. Its compatibility with a variety of strategies makes it a valuable asset for artifact and aggro decks alike.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes with cards that capitalize on counters or artifacts entering or leaving the battlefield. The modular keyword ensures that when it leaves play, its investment isn’t wasted, potentially supercharging another artifact creature in the process.

Meta-Relevance: With the persistence of artifact-centered decks in competitive play, Arcbound Lancer remains relevant. Its inherent resilience against removal due to its modular ability can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, making it a card worth considering as the meta evolves.

How to beat

Arcbound Lancer enters the realm of modular creatures with a bang, boasting a hefty presence. Its unique feature is the ability to enter the battlefield with numerous +1/+1 counters on it, which promises a boost in power for any artifact strategies you are running. As a card reliant on these counters, it also synergizes well with other artifacts, taking advantage of their strategies.

However, the trick to conquering the Arcbound Lancer lies in its dependence on counters and artifacts. Removal spells that can swiftly eliminate the Lancer before its counters can be transferred are highly effective. In addition, artifact destruction spells or effects that strip counters can drastically reduce the Lancer’s impact. By targeting the Lancer’s synergistic nature with artifact-oriented or counter-based disruption, you can prevent it from becoming a significant threat on the battlefield.

Moreover, the Lancer struggles against mass removal spells which can clear the board before the counters become a problem. Understanding the importance of timing and keeping your powerful removal spells for key moments such as the deployment of Arcbound Lancer can ensure that this formidable creature doesn’t become an insurmountable obstacle in your path to victory.

Cards like Arcbound Lancer

Arcbound Lancer finds its niche within the modular creature lineup of Magic: The Gathering. Like its kin in the Arcbound series, such as Arcbound Reclaimer, the Lancer enters with a hefty complement of +1/+1 counters. Furthermore, the Lancer boasts first strike, a trait shared with Arcbound Slith, giving it an edge in combat scenarios.

Delving into other cards, we encounter Steel Overseer, which can augment all of your artifact creatures with additional +1/+1 counters, thereby enhancing a card like Arcbound Lancer. While not possessing modular or first strike, the Overseer serves as a powerful engine in any artifact-centric deck. Another relative on the field is Spincrusher, a less-known denizen of the artifact creature arena, showcasing a unique defensive dexterity though lacking the aggressive potential of the Lancer with its growing power.

With a comprehensive view, Arcbound Lancer stands out with its combination of offensive capabilities and a growth potential that solidifies its place in decks focused on synergy between artifact creatures and counter proliferation. It’s a card that performs a specific role, and when aligned with the right strategy, excels within its mechanical family.

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

Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions

Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions

Pilgrim of the Fires - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arcbound Lancer 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 Lancer and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arcbound Lancer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Arcbound Lancer 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.