Balthor the Stout MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Dwarf Barbarian
Released	2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Torment
Set code	TOR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	91
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spears

Key Takeaways

Balthor boosts Barbarian board presence, creating surging battlefield advantages.
His discard ability can pose a risk to card economy and hand stability.
Balthor’s specialized bonuses encourage innovative red tribal deck-building.

Text of card

All Barbarians get +1/+1. o R: Target Barbarian gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

"I like to think of him as concentrated barbarian." —Kamahl, pit fighter

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Balthor the Stout, players gain the ability to bolster their forces on the battlefield. His ability to buff other Barbarians can lead to overwhelming board states, giving players the upper hand simply by deploying him among a tribe of synergistic warriors.

Resource Acceleration: This card encourages a strategy that accelerates resource development. By encouraging a tribal-themed deck, Balthor can efficiently make use of the mana spent on playing Barbarians, ensuring that each creature played thereafter is potentially more threatening, contributing to a snowball effect in board presence.

Instant Speed: While Balthor himself does not operate at instant speed, his buffing aura for Barbarians allows your creatures to present a formidable defense at any time. This passive benefit ensures that your Barbarians are always ready to take on threats, making your opponent think twice before engaging in combat or targeting your creatures with spells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Balthor the Stout has an activated ability that requires the discarding of cards, which could set you back if your hand is already depleted or if you need to maintain a certain card advantage in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost necessitates a strong commitment to red mana sources in your deck build, making it potentially challenging to fit into multicolored decks that also require other mana types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three and one red mana, Balthor the Stout can be a considerable investment in the early game, which might put you behind players who opt for using lower-cost creatures to establish board presence more quickly.

Reasons to Include Balthor the Stout in Your Collection

Versatility: Balthor the Stout offers unique advantages for red deck builders. His ability to boost other Barbarians gives players an opportunity to build around a less common tribe, opening up creative deck-building strategies.

Combo Potential: This legendary dwarf synergizes well with cards that benefit from creature buffs or tribal themes. Balthor’s presence can turn an ordinary board into a formidable army, allowing for powerful combo plays with other tribal support cards.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that often favors powerful and fast-paced strategies, Balthor the Stout can be an unexpected addition that shakes up conventional play. His ability to potentially lead a Barbarian-centric deck could offer a fresh approach in a diverse meta.

How to beat

Balthor the Stout is a card known for empowering Barbarians, a particular subtype in Magic: The Gathering. What might catch players off guard is how substantially it boosts other Barbarians, making them a threatening force on the battlefield. To effectively beat Balthor the Stout, your strategy should include removing him from play as soon as he’s cast. Targeted removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile work well, as they bypass the increased toughness he grants to his fellow warriors.

Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation are effective, as they clear all creatures from the board, nullifying Balthor’s boosting ability. Remember that Balthor himself isn’t exceptionally bulky, so quick, direct damage spells are also a viable option. It’s also crucial to control the flow of the game early on since Balthor aims to snowball as more Barbarians join the fray.

By prioritizing Balthor’s removal and retaining control of your opponent’s creature setup, you mitigate the buffs he provides and maintain an even playing field. The key is to counter swiftly and decisively, preventing the Barbarian tide from overwhelming you.

Cards like Balthor the Stout

Balthor the Stout is a card that brings a stirring dynamic to MTG player’s decks. With its focus on bolstering Barbarian creatures, it is akin to Lovisa Coldeyes. While Lovisa edges out with a broader scope, enhancing Warriors and Berserkers along with Barbarians, Balthor is more specialized, granting only Barbarians the bonus attack and red mana reduction on abilities.

Examining cards like Goblin Chieftain reveals a similar tribal leadership role. Although the Chieftain’s effect is narrowed to Goblins, its embedded haste ability makes it a quintessential component for aggressive Goblin strategies. Balthor, lacking this feature, appeals to a more tactical Barbarian-themed build instead. Another parallel might be drawn with Eladamri, Lord of Leaves, who offers protection and unblockable finesse to Elf creatures. While elves tend to lean towards a more subtle and synergistic playstyle, Balthor celebrates the brute force inherent to Barbarians.

Taking everything into account, Balthor the Stout possesses a distinctive spot among MTG’s tribal buffs. His focus on Barbarians makes it beneficial for players who are dedicated to constructing a deck that capitalizes on raw strength and mana efficiency within that specific tribe.

Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Balthor the Stout by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Balthor the Stout MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Balthor the Stout and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Balthor the Stout has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	The Legend rule only applies to two legendary permanents with identical names. If the names are different, even if they depict the same character, the rule does not apply.