Liberated Dwarf MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Dwarf
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	95
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Greg Hildebrandt

Key Takeaways

Liberated Dwarf creates card advantage and accelerates mana, propelling your game forward.
Instant speed allows flexible play, reacting smartly to opponents’ actions.
Despite its advantages, its discard mechanic and specific mana costs can hinder versatility.

Text of card

o R, Sacrifice Liberated Dwarf: Target green creature gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

Freed from their chains, these dwarves are bound only by honor.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Liberated Dwarf provides an excellent opportunity for players to gain the upper hand by creating card advantage. Its ability can potentially generate additional card draws, giving players more options and extending their hand size as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Beyond card draw, the Liberated Dwarf is particularly valuable for its ability to ramp up your mana resources. By offering an efficient cost-to-effect ratio, it accelerates your game by allowing you to deploy your heavy-hitting spells earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Liberated Dwarf at instant speed gives players the flexibility to react during their opponent’s turn. This tactical advantage means you can adapt to the evolving game state, making smarter decisions with the benefit of seeing your adversary’s moves first.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Liberated Dwarf comes with a discard mechanic which can deplete your hand, making it unfavorable when you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost requires red mana, which might not synergize well with multicolored decks, potentially limiting the card’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment compared to similar cards, players might find the Liberated Dwarf less appealing when deck building, as there may be more cost-effective alternatives for the same role in the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Liberated Dwarf fits into multiple deck archetypes due to its ability to add mana of any color, making it a flexible addition to multicolored decks seeking efficient mana-fixing capabilities.

Combo Potential: With its ability to sacrifice itself for mana, Liberated Dwarf works seamlessly in strategies that capitalize on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield, potentially unlocking explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that values speedy development and the versatility to adapt to various threats, Liberated Dwarf’s ability to accelerate your game plan makes it a relevant pick in many competitive scenes.

How to beat

Liberated Dwarf introduces a unique angle to the red creature collection in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to grant mana when it becomes the target of a spell, it holds potential for both offensive and defensive strategies. This kind of versatility means you’ll need to approach its defeat with situational awareness.

To counter the Liberated Dwarf effectively, stifle its ability to trigger its mana-generating prowess. Consider card removal options that do not target or employ mass removals over single-target spells, which could inadvertently fuel your opponent’s mana pool. Timing is also crucial; eliminating them before your opponent has the opportunity for mana ramp could prove vital. Employing passive control cards, such as those that prevent abilities from triggering, can neutralize Liberated Dwarf without providing the benefit to your opponent.

In essence, preventing the Liberated Dwarf from becoming a conduit for mana acceleration underlines the strategy to outmaneuver this card. Success hinges on your ability to implement timely removals and strategic control, ensuring that the resource advantage remains in your favor in the magical realm of MTG.

Cards like Liberated Dwarf

The Liberated Dwarf is an intriguing aspect of Magic: The Gathering’s pool of creature cards. When considering dwarves with potent ability sets, the comparisons lead to cards like Magda, Brazen Outlaw. While Magda brings to the table a chance to tutor for artifacts or Dragons whenever a dwarf becomes tapped, the Liberated Dwarf offers a different kind of utility through its freedom ability, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy.

Another card worth mentioning is Depala, Pilot Exemplar. This dwarf also has a synergy with vehicles, encouraging a different strategic route. Unlike the Liberated Dwarf, Depala provides both a power boost and a deck filtering advantage for vehicles and dwarves. However, the Liberated Dwarf focuses on offering a single mana of any color once freed, presenting a versatile approach to mana fixing that can be fundamental in multicolored decks.

Dwarves in Magic: The Gathering fill varied roles, and while the Liberated Dwarf doesn’t boast the recurring search mechanism of Magda or the broad support of Depala, its mana liberation can smoothly pave the way for more powerful plays and pivotal game moments.

Magda, Brazen Outlaw - MTG Card versions

Depala, Pilot Exemplar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Liberated Dwarf by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions

Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions

Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)

Orcish Conscripts - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)

Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)

Goblin Guide - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Skirk Prospector - Vintage Masters (VMA)

Akki Avalanchers - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Liberated Dwarf MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Liberated Dwarf and other MTG cards: