Auriok Bladewarden MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	3
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Dorman

Key Takeaways

Enhances creatures at instant speed, offering a surprise element in combat and strategic blocking.
Limited to decks with white mana, it’s a situational card that shines in certain deck builds.
Combines well with power-based strategies, becoming a versatile piece in creature-focused decks.

Text of card

: Target creature gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is Auriok Bladewarden's power.

The Auriok have learned through constant struggle that allies are more precious than water.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Auriok Bladewarden may not draw you cards directly, but his ability to boost another creature’s power can turn the tide in your favor. His presence allows you to cycle through your deck more efficiently as he can make combat trades more favorable, which can indirectly lead to gaining card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While this particular card doesn’t deal with mana or treasure tokens, the ability to increase a creature’s power at instant speed can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. By enhancing the strength of your creatures, you’re effectively able to put more power on the board without expending additional cards or mana.

Instant Speed: Auriok Bladewarden’s key feature that acts at instant speed is its power-boosting ability. Deploy it during combat to catch an opponent off guard or to make surprise blocks. This can lead to advantageous trades or protect valuable creatures, which is a strategic element for maintaining board presence.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Auriok Bladewarden does not have a direct discard requirement, but it’s important to consider that playing it in combination with certain strategies might lead to a situation where you need to let go of valuable cards to maximize its potential.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a specific amount of white mana, which might limit its inclusion to mono-white or two-color decks that can reliably produce white mana, potentially excluding it from more diverse mana base decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Auriok Bladewarden’s mana cost is not excessively high, it costs two white mana which may be considered high for its stats and effect, especially when compared to other cards with similar abilities but lower costs or greater impacts on the game state.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Auriok Bladewarden complements a wide array of deck types, but excels in those centered around creatures. Its ability to boost another creature’s power is particularly handy in aggressive or token strategies where board presence is key.

Combo Potential: This card can become a linchpin within combos that scale with creature power. It pairs well with equipment or creature abilities that trigger upon attacking or dealing damage, thereby multiplying the effectiveness of your tactical moves.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature interaction is prevalent, Auriok Bladewarden’s capability to alter combat math in your favor can be a game-changer. Its utility shines against decks that rely on dealing damage through smaller creatures, making it a strategic asset in such metas.

How to beat

Auriok Bladewarden is a detailed card within the Magic: The Gathering universe that can become a formidable asset for those who wield it skillfully. Featuring the power-boosting ability, this card offers a tactical advantage by increasing the strength of other creatures. To effectively challenge an Auriok Bladewarden, the key is to mitigate its power-enhancing effects.

Direct removal spells are a definitive solution. Swift removals like Path to Exile or Fatal Push allow you to bypass the Bladewarden’s ability before your opponent can utilize it to their advantage. Alternatively, controlling the battlefield with board wipes such as Wrath of God can prevent the Bladewarden from ever becoming a threat. Utilize these strategies to ensure the Auriok Bladewarden doesn’t turn the tides of battle against you.

Comprehending the card’s strengths and weaknesses is imperative in crafting a winning strategy against it. Removal serves as the cornerstone in overcoming the challenges posed by Auriok Bladewarden, solidifying your path to victory in the landscape of MTG gameplay.

Cards like Auriok Bladewarden

Auriok Bladewarden, a specialized creature card in Magic: The Gathering, shares certain traits with other cards yet maintains a unique position in the power-boosting echelons of the game. Cards like Armament Master also offer a way to increase power, targeting specifically Kor allies and requiring equipped items for its power boost effect. The Bladewarden, juxtaposed with the Master, zeroes in on individual targets and does not necessitate additional equipment or tribal synergies for its ability to shine.

Issuing a direct power increment, cards such as Bloodsworn Steward use a more global approach, increasing a commander’s power by an impressive +2/+2. The Bladewarden, by contrast, bestows a more modest but targeted +X/+X based on its own power and performs this boost without being restricted to a commander. Cards within the Leonin family, like Leonin Sun Standard, can affect multiple creatures but require mana to do so, while Auriok Bladewarden’s ability is a costless activation that can be crucial during combats.

Tallying up the strategic uses and flexible deployment methods, Auriok Bladewarden certainly has a noteworthy spot among cards that specialize in bolstering creature power in Magic: The Gathering, offering precision power boosts that could be pivotal in battles.

Cards similar to Auriok Bladewarden by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Auriok Bladewarden MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Auriok Bladewarden and other MTG cards: