Bassara Tower Archer MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Archer
Abilities	Hexproof,Reach
Released	2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Journey into Nyx
Set code	JOU
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	117
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Slawomir Maniak

Key Takeaways

Hexproof and efficient cost make Bassara Tower Archer a resilient early-game play, ensuring board presence.
The card’s synergies and resistance to targeted spells lend it versatility and meta relevance in green decks.
While sturdy, overcoming the Archer can be achieved through board wipes, sacrifice effects, and strategic blocking.

Text of card

Hexproof, reach

Setessan warriors of Bassara Tower are known for their guerrilla tactics and skill with the bow. Interlopers into the Nessian Wood do not get far.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bassara Tower Archer maintains efficiency in your gameplay by occupying the board with a hard-to-target creature, which can be critical in matches where maintaining board presence is key. Its Hexproof ability ensures that it remains a steady fixture on the battlefield, often requiring opponents to use multiple resources to deal with it indirectly.

Resource Acceleration: Costing only two mana with one being green, this card accelerates your game by allowing you to deploy a threat early and maintain mana availability for other plays. Its efficient cost also makes it synergistic with cards that benefit from having a creature on the field, further increasing your resource potential as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Bassara Tower Archer itself isn’t an instant, its low mana cost and Hexproof ability complement an instant-speed strategy. You can confidently pass the turn without casting it, keeping up the mana for instant-speed interactions with the assurance that you can deploy a resilient threat if nothing more pressing arises in your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Despite having hexproof, Bassara Tower Archer could put you at a disadvantage as it makes you more vulnerable to board wipes without the ability to self-replenish your hand effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands both green and generic mana, its integration in multi-colored decks could be cumbersome, hindering its playability across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana for a 2/1 hexproof creature might seem fair, when considering the current meta, there are other creatures and spells that may offer greater value or utility for the same or lesser investment.

Reasons to Include Bassara Tower Archer in Your Collection

Versatility: Bassara Tower Archer is an efficient card to include in a variety of decks, particularly those emphasizing green creature-based strategies. With its low mana cost and reach ability, it is a solid defensive choice against flying creatures.

Combo Potential: As a creature with both reach and hexproof, Bassara Tower Archer synergizes well with enchantments and abilities that favor targeting your own creatures. It’s a reliable base for auras and buffs without the risk of being easily removed by your opponent’s targeted spells.

Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience against popular removal spells, Bassara Tower Archer fits well in metas where control decks that rely on targeted removal are prevalent. Its presence on the battlefield can pose a persistent threat that’s challenging to deal with directly, bolstering your defensive line as well as your offensive capabilities.

How to beat

Bassara Tower Archer presents unique challenges on the battlefield with its hexproof ability. Commonly in Magic: The Gathering, hexproof prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, essentially shielding it from direct removal. However, overcoming this roadblock is not insurmountable. Board wipes are an effective tool since they don’t target individual creatures and therefore bypass hexproof. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the Archer off the board regardless of its protective ability.

Additionally, forcing your opponent to sacrifice creatures can be key in removing the Archer. Edict effects, such as those created by Liliana of the Veil or Diabolic Edict, are not hindered by hexproof since they don’t target a specific creature. Players can also block the Archer with creatures that have a greater toughness, using combat to deal with it indirectly. Alternatively, utilizing enchantments that change the state of the game—like Ensnaring Bridge—can restrict the Archer’s ability to attack, thus neutralizing it as a threat.

Devising the right strategy to handle Bassara Tower Archer requires careful deck construction and a tactical approach during gameplay, taking advantage of non-targeting spells and abilities to secure victory.

Cards like Bassara Tower Archer

Bassara Tower Archer holds a respectable position among green creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the hexproof ability with Sylvan Caryatid, granting them both a shield against targeted spells. While the Caryatid doubles as a mana dork, Bassara Tower Archer shines with its efficient power to mana cost ratio, offering a strong presence on the board early in the game.

Another comparable creature is Gladecover Scout, a beloved choice for players relying on auras. Its lower mana cost makes it a quick play, yet it lacks the staying power of Bassara Tower Archer in head-to-head combat scenarios. In contrast, the Archer can be a formidable foe with just a few enhancements due to its base stats.

When evaluating creatures suited for an enchantment-focused strategy, the versatility and resilience of Bassara Tower Archer distinctly set it apart. It is a staple in green decks that capitalize on robust creatures, maintaining a relevant spot in a competitive environment filled with enchantments and buffs.

Cards similar to Bassara Tower Archer by color, type and mana cost

Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions

Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions

Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions

Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions

Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions

Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bassara Tower Archer MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Bassara Tower Archer and other MTG cards: