Arms Dealer MTG Card


Offers card advantage by turning creatures into removal and controlling board state. Brings resource acceleration and can act instantaneously, providing strategic flexibility. Demands sacrifice and specific mana, posing challenges for non-goblin-centric decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Rogue
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

o1o R, Sacrifice a Goblin: Arms Dealer deals 4 damage to target creature.

He has the weapons, he has the connections, and he knows the hangar's dark secret.


Cards like Arms Dealer

Arms Dealer is a niche creature card in MTG with a specific utility for goblin-themed decks. It finds its closest comparison in Goblin Bombardment, another card adept at turning goblins into direct damage. While Arms Dealer requires mana investment and self-sacrifice to deal damage, Goblin Bombardment offers a free activation without any mana cost but with less control over the damage amount.

Skirk Prospector is another card that shares a similar sacrifice mechanism, allowing you to convert goblins into red mana instead of inflicting damage. This direct mana generation can be crucial in certain gameplay strategies. Comparatively, Arms Dealer provides a more offensive option by directly removing threats or pressuring the opponent’s life total.

Considering the strategic uses and deck synergy, Arms Dealer can be a powerful tool, especially when combined with a plentiful supply of goblins. It enables focused damage output, which could be the deciding factor between victory and defeat in matches where controlling the board state is key.

Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Arms Dealer by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Arms Dealer MTG card provides a unique form of card advantage by its ability to convert creatures into removal. With the right setup, it can repeatedly remove key threats from the board, disrupting your opponent’s strategy while maintaining a favorable position for yourself.

Resource Acceleration: By effectively utilizing Goblin tokens or redundant creatures, this card acts as a source of resource acceleration. It allows you to make the most of seemingly marginal creatures, turning them into valuable assets for controlling the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Arms Dealer at instant speed makes it a flexible and strategic tool during gameplay. This functionality lets you respond to your opponent’s moves with precision, keeping them guessing and forcing them to play around your open mana, wary of the potential destruction you could unleash on their creatures.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Arms Dealer demands the player to sacrifice a Goblin as part of the activation cost. This can be a setback, especially in situations where your board presence is weakening or when sacrificing a Goblin could impede your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Arms Dealer card requires a very particular mana alignment to utilize, needing both red and generic mana. This can sometimes be a hurdle for decks that aren’t heavily invested in red mana or those with a more stringent color base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana cost to cast and an additional activation cost as part of its ability, Arms Dealer’s total investment can become hefty. There are alternative cards available that might perform similar functions without the steep setup, making this card a less optimal choice in certain deck builds.


Reasons to Include Arms Dealer in Your Collection

Versatility: Arms Dealer serves as not just a creature on the battlefield but a reliable removal tool in Goblin-themed decks, capable of addressing threats by sacrificing a fellow Goblin for damage output.

Combo Potential: With other cards that generate Goblin tokens or benefit from creatures dying, this card easily integrates into combos, turning a simple board presence into a strategic advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where creature-heavy decks prevail, Arms Dealer can become a significant game-changer, disrupting opponent strategies and maintaining board control.


How to Beat Arms Dealer in MTG

Arms Dealer from Magic: The Gathering proves to be a cunning card, capable of turning the tides in goblin-themed decks. It allows a player to sacrifice a goblin and deal 4 damage to target creature, a tactical move that can dismantle opponents’ strategies. To effectively overcome the threat of Arms Dealer, consider using instant-speed removal spells that can neutralize it before its ability is activated. Targeted spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile ensure the Dealer can’t utilize its destructive potential.

Moreover, implementing graveyard disruption like Rest in Peace can prevent goblin recursion, further hindering the Dealer’s tactical advantage. As goblin decks are synergy-driven, disrupting the tribal unity significantly weakens their board presence. Additionally, efficient board wipes such as Wrath of God can sweep away the Dealer along with its goblin comrades in one fell swoop, giving you a clear advantage on the battlefield. Lastly, remember that denying your opponent the resources to exploit Arms Dealer’s ability is key. Resource denial strategies, like land destruction or mana disruption, can prevent the casting and activation of troublesome cards, keeping Arms Dealer out of play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Arms Dealer MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Magic 2013, 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 Arms Dealer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Arms Dealer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 1721997NormalBlackLuca Zontini
22012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1202003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4932015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Arms Dealer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-07-01 You can sacrifice Arms Dealer to activate its own ability.