Armored Transport MTG Card


Armored Transport - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number226
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCliff Childs

Key Takeaways

  1. Armored Transport survives battles, preserving board presence without extra card investment.
  2. Its role in artifacts and crewing strategies indirectly accelerates resources.
  3. Unable to be combat-destroyed, it enables strategic instant speed play.

Text of card

Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to Armored Transport by creatures blocking it.

"If only our jails were as secure." —Arrester Lavinia, Tenth Precinct


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Armored Transport may not directly allow you to draw cards, its resilience in combat means that it can reliably survive encounters that would usually result in card loss. This ensures that you maintain your board presence without dipping into your hand for replacements.

Resource Acceleration: While Armored Transport doesn’t provide a direct increase in mana resources, it can be an integral part of strategies that benefit from having artifacts in play or from the act of crewing vehicles. This can lead to indirect resource acceleration when synergizing with cards that capitalize on artifacts or vehicle presence on the board.

Instant Speed: Armored Transport itself may not have an instant speed ability, but its mere presence can impact the game at instant speed. It’s a reliable blocker due to its inability to be destroyed in combat, allowing you to confidently pass the turn without worrying about losing a valuable asset. This can leave mana open for instant speed interaction, keeping your opponents guessing and providing strategic depth to your gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Managing card advantage is critical in MTG and the Armored Transport card may require players to discard, potentially resulting in a net loss of valuable hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost associated with Armored Transport demands a specific mana type, which could limit flexibility and integration into multi-color decks that may not always have the necessary mana sources available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering durable defense, this card’s mana value might be on the higher side. Players could find themselves choosing between deploying this card or other utility cards that could provide a more immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Armored Transport proves to be a solid addition in decks that require a tough creature capable of withstanding various forms of removal. Thanks to its resilience, it fits well within strategies where endurance and defense are key.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic environments, where its ability to stay on the battlefield can be leveraged in conjunction with abilities that trigger upon attacking or taking damage, enhancing overall strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are common, Armored Transport provides a dependable blocker that can be essential for stabilizing the board while setting up for a strong counterattack.


How to Beat Armored Transport

Armored Transport presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its potential to be an indestructible force. Unlike other creatures, it can shrug off damage that would typically remove threats from the field. However, conquering this card doesn’t require overwhelming power but rather strategic planning. As Armored Transport isn’t inherently indestructible, it can be overcome through effects that don’t deal damage. Look to spells that force a sacrifice, such as Diabolic Edict, or those that alter the rules of combat, like Maze of Ith, to bypass its defensive abilities. Edicts are particularly effective as they prevent the opponent from deciding what creature to keep.

Enchantment-based removals, like Detention Sphere, also prove invaluable because they can neutralize Armored Transport without triggering its damage-prevention ability. Similarly, board wide effects that don’t cause damage, but rather change state, like Terminus, can clear Armored Transport off the field. Ultimately, it’s about side-stepping the traditional combat damage route and employing alternative removal methods. This nuanced approach allows players to handle Armored Transport effectively, maintaining control over any potential stalemates it attempts to create.


Cards like Armored Transport

The Armored Transport card introduces a distinctive element to creature deployment strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its key characteristic is granting indestructibility to other creatures you control, which aligns it with cards like Indestructibility or Darksteel Plate which also offer unyielding protection. Yet, Armored Transport stands out by automatically applying this safeguard during your turn as opposed to requiring an activation cost.

In addition, cards like Avacyn, Angel of Hope bring a broader protective scope, rendering all permanents you control indestructible. However, with a significantly higher mana cost for Avacyn’s deployment, Armored Transport provides a cost-efficient alternative for keeping your creatures safe during combat. Additionally, the Brought Back spell can also be seen as a counterpart, allowing you to return two target permanents that went to the graveyard this turn, which can be a reactive measure against loss, though not a preventative one like the Armored Transport.

Evaluating the balance between mana cost, the immediacy of protection, and the scope of safeguarding permanents, Armored Transport has a noteworthy position within MTG. It offers a unique blend of strategic defense enhancements without the need for additional mana investment during the vital combat phase.

Indestructibility - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Plate - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Brought Back - MTG Card versions
Indestructibility - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Plate - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Brought Back - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Armored Transport MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Armored Transport and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Armored Transport has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal