Ampryn Tactician MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	2015-07-17
Set symbol
Set name	Magic Origins
Set code	ORI
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	2
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cynthia Sheppard

Key Takeaways

It enhances creature strategies by offering a crucial temporary power boost upon its entry.
Strategic timing can maximize Ampryn Tactician’s potential, turning the tide of games.
Despite high mana costs, its wide impact makes it a potential game-changer for many decks.

Text of card

When Ampryn Tactician enters the battlefield, creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.

"It's all a game. You shouldn't get too attached to the pieces."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Ampryn Tactician itself doesn’t provide direct card draw, it creates a tactical advantage when timing the deployment of creatures. By casting other creatures before it, you can ensure they reap the benefits from its ‘enters the battlefield’ ability, potentially swinging the game in your favor with a well-planned board presence.

Resource Acceleration: The Tactician does not offer a direct mana boost; however, its ability to empower your existing army can be a form of resource acceleration. The +1/+1 to all your creatures upon entry can save mana that you might have used on other buffs or combat tricks, consolidating your resources for more impactful plays.

Instant Speed: While Ampryn Tactician is not an instant, it embodies the strategic element of surprise akin to many instant-speed spells. Playing the Tactician pre-combat can immediately alter the board state, turning unassuming creatures into significant threats and potentially deterring opponents’ planned blocks or attacks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ampryn Tactician doesn’t force you to discard directly, its four mana cost might push you into scenarios where you’re choosing between discarding other cards for mana or playing out your hand less efficiently.

Specific Mana Cost: An inclusion of two Plains in the casting cost makes Ampryn Tactician restrictive for non-monowhite or two-color decks, potentially hampering the deck-building versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost total of four, including the specific white mana requirement, there are alternatives that offer creature buffs or other benefits at a lower cost, making Ampryn Tactician a less competitive option in some scenarios.

Reasons to Include Ampryn Tactician in Your Collection

Versatility: Ampryn Tactician isn’t limited to a single deck archetype and can be a useful addition to any collection looking to bolster their creature-based strategies. Its ability to give all your creatures a temporary boost can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, enhancing board presence or working in tandem with cards that benefit from creatures getting a power increase, enabling some unexpectedly powerful moves.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence is key, the immediate impact Ampryn Tactician has on your creatures can be a game-changer, offering a surprise advantage against opponents.

How to beat

Ampryn Tactician may not be the most intimidating creature in MTG, but its ability to give other creatures you control +1/+1 until end of turn can certainly tip the scales in your opponent’s favor. To counter this strategy, it’s essential to disrupt their board before the Tactician can leverage its ability. Removal spells that target multiple creatures like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act help to clear the board of any threats, including the Tactician itself.

A control-oriented approach can also keep the Tactician at bay. Counterspells such as Negate or Essence Scatter ensure that the Tactician never hits the battlefield, thus preserving your position. Alternatively, spot removal such as Murder or Doom Blade can be used in response to the Tactician’s cast. This preemptive strike cuts off its buff to others, keeping the game in your control.

Finally, consider using creatures with flash that can block or trade with the Tactician, or cards that reduce the effect of buffs on your opponent’s creatures. The key is to maintain flexibility and respond to threats like Ampryn Tactician swiftly and efficiently.

Cards like Ampryn Tactician

In the landscape of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering, Ampryn Tactician stands as a solid contender for battlefield influence. Its ability to buff other creatures you control with a +1/+1 upon entry mirrors the effect of renowned cards like Veteran Armorsmith. Although the Armorsmith is cheaper at two mana and provides a consistent bonus for as long as it’s on the field, it only affects Soldier type creatures, whereas Ampryn Tactician extends its boost to all creature types you control.

Another comparable card is Captain’s Call, with both cards sharing the same mana cost. While Captain’s Call doesn’t offer a temporary boost, it instead creates three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens, effectively broadening your army directly upon casting. However, Ampryn Tactician itself comes as a single body that can turn the tide by empowering your entire board presence in one fell swoop, making it particularly lethal in decks poised to swarm the opponent.

Between these options, Ampryn Tactician offers a unique blend of on-cast utility and creature-based empowerment, establishing it as a strong play in MTG decks focusing on synergy and concerted strikes.

Cards similar to Ampryn Tactician by color, type and mana cost

Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions

Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ampryn Tactician MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins, 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 Ampryn Tactician and other MTG cards: