Headstrong Brute MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Orc Pirate |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 147 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yongjae Choi |
Key Takeaways
- Headstrong Brute applies pressure, encouraging opponents to divert more resources for defense.
- Pirate synergy is essential for optimal play, making it less versatile in non-pirate decks.
- Maintains consistent damage in control-heavy metagames, invaluable for aggressive strategies.
Text of card
Headstrong Brute can't block. Headstrong Brute has menace as long as you control another Pirate.
"Watch your backs, keep your blades at hand, and let the orc go first!" —Captain Brandis Thorn
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Headstrong Brute’s ability to potentially bypass blockers thanks to menace allows a player to apply continuous pressure, which might lead to card advantage as the opponent is forced to allocate more resources to deal with the threat.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting resource acceleration, the Headstrong Brute can form a key piece in an aggressive strategy that disrupts the opponent’s board development, indirectly impacting the resource race in your favor.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the Headstrong Brute encourages a deck build that includes other instant speed interactions to protect it or remove potential blockers, further empowering its menacing presence on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Headstrong Brute’s reliance on having another Pirate card to avoid discarding prevents seamless inclusion in decks without pirate synergy, often making it an awkward addition to your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost demanding two red sources, it can be challenging for multi-colored decks to reliably summon the Headstrong Brute, limiting its versatility across varying deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating three mana for a 3/3 creature without intrinsic evasion or protection capabilities can be a drawback, particularly when other creatures at the same cost may offer immediate board impact or resilience against removal.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Headstrong Brute has a straightforward benefit in decks favoring aggressive strategies. This creature’s menace makes it challenging for opponents to block without sacrificing valuable resources.
Combo Potential: As a pirate, this card synergizes well with other pirate-themed cards and abilities, offering the potential for powerful combinations in a tribal deck.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right meta, where control decks are prevalent, the brute’s inability to be blocked except by two or more creatures makes it a consistent source of damage, maintaining pressure on your opponent’s life total.
How to beat Headstrong Brute
Headstrong Brute may come off as an intimidating challenger on the battlefield. In MTG, this Orc Pirate demands attention with its can’t-block nature and potential menace when commandeering a vehicle or when paired with a Pirate. It challenges players to tactically think about defense since it requires specific conditions to enable blocking.
However, deliverance lies within reach – removal spells. Spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can cleanly dispatch the brute before it becomes a menacing problem. Enchantment-based removals like Pacifism also effectively neutralize it by preventing it from attacking without having to deal with the underlying creature outright. Another strategy involves using creatures with higher toughness to absorb the damage, making the brute’s inability to block a liability for the opponent. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed spells during combat can catch an opponent off-guard, especially when they’re counting on the brute’s strength.
Overall, Headstrong Brute may flex muscles with aggression, yet its weaknesses are glaring when met with direct removal and smart defensive plays, ensuring an upper hand in matches where this orc pirate surfaces.
Cards like Headstrong Brute
Headstrong Brute is a notable creature within the red color spectrum of Magic: The Gathering, sharing space with other aggressive red creatures. Notably, Headstrong Brute possesses the menace ability, preventing it from being blocked except by two or more creatures, a trait also found in the card Kari Zev, Skyship Raider. While Kari Zev brings along a Legendary status and creates an additional Ragavan token during combat, Headstrong Brute stands out with its simplicity and the additional orc pirate synergies.
Similarly, Ahn-Crop Crasher emerges as a comparable card in terms of aggressive strategies. It boasts exertion utility, allowing you to stop a potential blocker, although this comes at the cost of taking a break the following turn. Headstrong Brute, meanwhile, offers continuous pressure without the exert mechanic hindering its attacks. Comparing both, players might lean towards Headstrong Brute for a more relentless approach in creature-focused decks.
Lastly, another similar card is the Reckless Bushwhacker, which can accelerate the tempo of your game with its surge cost, providing a swift boost to your battlefield presence. However, Headstrong Brute shines with a predictable menace ability, providing a steady and intimidating presence on the board.
Cards similar to Headstrong Brute by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Headstrong Brute MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Headstrong Brute and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Headstrong Brute has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
