Ironclad Revolutionary MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Aetherborn Artificer
Released	2017-01-20
Set symbol
Set name	Aether Revolt
Set code	AER
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	65
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Eric Deschamps

Key Takeaways

Card draw and a growing threat make Ironclad Revolutionary a versatile addition to artifact-centered decks.
It requires careful balance with discard conditions and its six mana casting cost to fully optimize.
In the right metagame, it can be a game-changer with its unique ability to sacrifice artifacts for power.

Text of card

When Ironclad Revolutionary enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice an artifact. If you do, put two +1/+1 counters on Ironclad Revolutionary and each opponent loses 2 life.

As the rebellion spread, renegade ingenuity outpaced the Consulate's greatest fears.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Ironclad Revolutionary presents a dynamic way to maintain board presence. When it enters the battlefield, you have the option to sacrifice an artifact. If you do, Ironclad Revolutionary gets stronger, and you draw a card, offering a strategic edge by replenishing your hand while developing a more formidable creature.

Resource Acceleration: Through its synergy with artifacts, it compels a robust strategy, prompting players to include various artifact-centric cards in their deck. Although Ironclad Revolutionary doesn’t directly generate mana or treasure tokens, its ability to capitalize on artifact sacrifice can be leveraged in decks focused on resource acceleration, by using other cards that transform artifacts into valuable mana resources.

Instant Speed: While Ironclad Revolutionary itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it pairs seamlessly with other instant speed interactions in your deck. Its ability to potentially grow stronger during your turn rewards keen tacticians who manage their resources carefully and set up powerful board states in anticipation of utilizing instant speed spells and effects at a moment’s notice.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To activate the abilities of Ironclad Revolutionary, players need to discard a card. This condition can be a hindrance, especially when you are trying to maintain card advantage or have crucial cards in hand that you cannot afford to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a mix of generic and black mana to play. Decks not running black mana might find it difficult to accommodate this artifact creature, thus restricting its playability to specific deck types that can fulfill its mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The six mana (four generic and two black) needed to cast Ironclad Revolutionary is sizeable. Considering the current standard of cards at this cost point, there are alternative creatures and spells that might offer greater immediate impact or game-shifting abilities without the discard trade-off.

Reasons to Include Ironclad Revolutionary in Your Collection

Versatility: Ironclad Revolutionary offers flexibility in development and control decks. With its ability to act both as an aggressive creature and a late-game enforcer, it can adapt to a variety of board states.

Combo Potential: This card presents unique interactions especially in artifact-centric decks. Using it to sacrifice an artifact can activate various triggers or death effects, amplifying your overall strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifacts are prevalent, Ironclad Revolutionary gains significant value. Its ability to act as artifact removal when needed makes it a pertinent choice for several metagame configurations.

How to beat

The Ironclad Revolutionary is a formidable force in the MTG universe, capable of disrupting your game plan. Dealing with this card requires strategic planning and appropriate counters. The key to overpowering the Revolutionary lies in preventing its ability to bolster itself. Removing artifacts your opponent controls can nullify the power-boosting aspect of this creature.

Spot removal spells are highly effective against the Revolutionary. Instant-speed spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can be utilized to dispatch it before it becomes a larger threat. Additionally, controlling the battlefield with board wipes, for example, Wrath of God or Damnation, can reset the playing field and eliminate the Revolutionary before it can capitalize on its abilities.

If removal isn’t an option, consider using enchantments like Pacifism to neutralize it, or employ creatures with deathtouch to discourage attacks. Cards that prevent your opponent from gaining benefits from sacrificing artifacts, such as Rest in Peace, will also hinder the Revolutionary’s capacity to become an issue. By incorporating these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to face down the Ironclad Revolutionary and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Ironclad Revolutionary

Ironclad Revolutionary stands out in the pantheon of creature cards in MTG with its unique focus on artifact synergy. When examining cards within the same realm, Aetherborn Marauder comes to mind. Both share the ability to interact with +1/+1 counters, but Ironclad Revolutionary takes this further by leveraging sacrifices for an aggressive advantage, whereas Aetherborn Marauder capitalizes on lifelink to enhance player durability.

Another card similar to Ironclad Revolutionary is the Defiant Salvager. This creature too thrives on sacking artifacts to bulk itself up. However, the Revolutionary’s capacity to inflict direct damage to an opponent gives it an assertive edge in the battlefield dance. Sly Requisitioner can also be seen as a contemporary, as it too celebrates artifacts in play, but its focus on creating servo tokens when a non-token artifact is sacrificed creates a different strategic approach.

What sets Ironclad Revolutionary apart in the artifact-heavy decks is its dual ability to become a substantial threat while diminishing an opponent’s life total, offering value beyond just increasing its own size. This nuance makes it a compelling choice for enthusiasts of artifact-centric strategies in MTG.

Cards similar to Ironclad Revolutionary by color, type and mana cost

Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions

Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions

Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ironclad Revolutionary MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt, 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 Ironclad Revolutionary and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ironclad Revolutionary has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ironclad Revolutionary card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2017-02-09	In a Two-Headed Giant game, Ironclad Revolutionary’s ability causes the opposing team to lose a total of 4 life.
2017-02-09	You can sacrifice an artifact only once when Ironclad Revolutionary’s triggered ability resolves. You can’t sacrifice more to get more counters or more life loss.
2017-02-09	You choose whether to sacrifice an artifact or not as Ironclad Revolutionary’s ability resolves. No player may take actions between the time you choose whether to sacrifice an artifact and, if you do so, the time that counters are added and life is lost.