Auriok Survivors MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Released | 2011-05-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | New Phyrexia |
| Set code | NPH |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 3 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | James Ryman |
Key Takeaways
- Auriok Survivors recovers important equipment, giving players resourceful battlefield control and card advantage.
- Enables quicker threat deployment by effectively using the graveyard as an extension of your hand.
- The card’s retrieval ability pairs well with instant-speed equipment for unexpected combat dynamics.
Text of card
When Auriok Survivors enters the battlefield, you may return target Equipment card from your graveyard to the battlefield. If you do, you may attach it to Auriok Survivors.
"We are Mirrodin's children. We will reclaim her—one scrap at a time, if we have to."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Auriok Survivors come with a unique ability that can potentially turn the tide of the game by retrieving an equipment from your graveyard to your hand. This synergistic effect not only recovers valuable resources but also keeps your hand filled with options to outmaneuver your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By efficiently utilizing your graveyard as a resource, you increase the pace at which you can deploy threats on the board. This form of acceleration ensures you’re not just depending on the top of your deck to supply you with the tools you need for victory.
Instant Speed: While Auriok Survivors itself is not an instant, the equipment it retrieves can be attached at instant speed with the right setup, allowing for surprise shifts in power during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, making it a versatile addition to any strategic lineup.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Among the drawbacks of the Auriok Survivors is that some variants require the player to discard a card to activate an ability. This could potentially deplete your hand and leave you with fewer options, especially if already low on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: The Auriok Survivors demand a specific blend of mana to cast. If you’re running a multi-color deck, this could potentially complicate your mana curve and cause delays in playing the card at a crucial moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s on the higher end of the spectrum, Auriok Survivors might not align well with more aggressive strategies that benefit from lower-cost creatures. In a fast-paced game, the mana investment might not justify the capabilities and effects they bring to the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Auriok Survivors in Your Collection
Versatility: Auriok Survivors can be a robust addition to decks focused on artifact synergy or recursion strategies. Its ability to retrieve an equipment card directly into the battlefield allows for unexpected swings in board presence, making it versatile and surprising.
Combo Potential: In combination with cards that benefit from artifacts entering the battlefield or cards that become more potent with equipped creatures, Auriok Survivors can become a central piece in a powerful combo engine, enhancing your deck’s performance and consistency.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of metagames, Auriok Survivors could prove invaluable in situations where equipment-themed decks are on the rise or when facing opponents that target your essential artifacts, allowing you to maintain momentum and pressure.
How to beat Auriok Survivors
Auriok Survivors is an intriguing creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to bring back Equipment cards from the graveyard directly into play. To counter this card effectively, players should consider employing strategies that limit graveyard interactions. Cards like Rest in Peace or Grafdigger’s Cage can be instrumental in preventing Auriok Survivors from leveraging its equipment-retrieving capacity.
Another strategy revolves around minimizing the number of artifacts on the battlefield. This can be accomplished with artifact removal spells like Shatter or Naturalize, ensuring that the Survivors have fewer targets to resurrect. Additionally, since Auriok Survivors has a relatively high mana cost, using counter spells such as Mana Leak or Essence Scatter as they’re cast can effectively thwart your opponent’s plans without them gaining any benefit from the unique ability of Auriok Survivors.
Ultimately, understanding and anticipating your opponent’s strategy, combined with choosing the right countermeasures, can elevate your gameplay and lead you to prevail over powerful cards such as Auriok Survivors in your MTG matches.
Cards like Auriok Survivors
Auriok Survivors bring a unique dynamic to the battlefield in MTG, mirroring traits found in other recovery cards. They bear a resemblance to creatures such as Salvage Scout, which also retrieves artifacts from the graveyard. However, the Auriok Survivors offer a bulkier body on the field, albeit at a higher mana cost. Notably, they can potentially bring back powerful equipment cards turn after turn without additional costs, a subtle yet impactful advantage.
Equally notable is Sram, Senior Edificer, another creature with a strong artifact synergy. While Sram doesn’t directly return artifacts from the graveyard, it rewards players with card draw upon casting an artifact, potentially providing more sustained value over the course of a game. Trusty Retriever is another card that echoes the retrieval theme, but it presents a one-time effect rather than a repeatable one, offering flexibility between choosing an artifact or an enchantment at a lower mana value.
While each card serves its function in artifact-centric decks, Auriok Survivors stand out for their potential to churn out big plays by reusing powerful equipment each turn, carving a niche within the ‘return from graveyard’ theme that certain MTG players might find more beneficial.
Cards similar to Auriok Survivors by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Auriok Survivors MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Survivors 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 Auriok Survivors has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Auriok Survivors card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | If Auriok Survivors is no longer on the battlefield when its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, the Equipment will return to the battlefield and remain unattached. |
