Barkweave Crusher MTG Card


Barkweave Crusher’s abilities benefit decks using landfall and instant-speed removal for dynamic play. Requires discarding a card and specific mana, which can challenge hand advantage and deck diversity. Its versatility and potential for powerful combos make it a compelling option in diverse MTG decks.
Barkweave Crusher - Dominaria United
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental Warrior
Abilities Enlist
Released2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria United
Set codeDMU
Power 2
Toughness 5
Number154
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKev Walker

Text of card

Enlist (As this creature attacks, you may tap a nonattacking creature you control without summoning sickness. When you do, add its power to this creature's until end of turn.)

"Phyrexia may be ancient, but Gaea is eternal." —Queen Allenal of Ruadach


Cards like Barkweave Crusher

Barkweave Crusher finds its place amongst the formidable creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It’s easy to draw parallels with fellow green creatures like Leatherback Baloth, a powerhouse in terms of raw stats for the mana cost. However, Barkweave Crusher distinguishes itself with its additional abilities, potentially providing more tactical advantages over the straightforward might of the Baloth.

Another comparable card is Ivy Elemental, which shares the flexibility of being able to enter the battlefield with a variable number of +1/+1 counters. While Ivy Elemental thrives in decks designed to maximize mana, Barkweave Crusher’s abilities potentially yield recurring strategic benefits. Scaled Behemoth may also come to mind, as a creature with substantial toughness and hexproof, yet lacking the dynamic playstyle that Barkweave Crusher could offer to a deck.

Ultimately, Barkweave Crusher’s capacity for accumulation of +1/+1 counters presents a unique blend of tactical adaptability with the ever-present threat of explosively increasing power, setting it a step apart in the diverse ecosystem of MTG creature cards.

Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ivy Elemental - MTG Card versions
Scaled Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ivy Elemental - MTG Card versions
Scaled Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Barkweave Crusher by color, type and mana cost

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Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions
Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barkweave Crusher not only adds a formidable creature to your battlefield but also potentially trims your opponent’s board presence, making it a valuable addition from a card efficiency perspective.

Resource Acceleration: When playing Barkweave Crusher, its synergy with landfall and other mechanics can amplify your resource generation, ensuring you have the lands needed to unlock its full potential quickly.

Instant Speed: Due to the creature’s versatile abilities, having instant-speed removal or buffs in your deck works harmoniously with Barkweave Crusher. This enables a reactive game plan where you can better safeguard your valuable assets and surprise opponents during crucial moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The necessity to discard a card while playing Barkweave Crusher can prove to be a setback for players aiming to maintain hand advantage. This becomes particularly problematic when your hand is already diminished or the discarded card is a crucial piece of your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Barkweave Crusher demands a specific combination of mana, including green, to be cast. This particular mana requirement can be restrictive and complicate deck building, especially for those who do not typically run green or multicolor configurations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher side, Barkweave Crusher can be a heavy investment in the early stages of the game. Players might find other creatures or spells that provide similar or better value at a lower cost, making this card a less attractive option in a fast-paced and resource-conscious environment.


Reasons to Include Barkweave Crusher in Your Collection

Versatility: Barkweave Crusher’s adaptability shines in multiple deck builds. As a creature card, it provides a substantial presence on the field that can be especially useful in decks focusing on creature-based strategies or those that need formidable blockers.

Combo Potential: The creature’s abilities can integrate seamlessly with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, offering numerous opportunities for powerful synergies and game-changing combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given the evolving gameplay environment, Barkweave Crusher could play a vital role in strategies that adapt to the fluctuating MTG competitive landscape. Its robustness may fare well against several contemporary deck themes, ensuring its relevancy in various matchups.


How to Beat

Barkweave Crusher presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield, being both a sizable creature and a potential source of card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. To overcome this formidable adversary, players should consider strategies that evade its triggered ability. Direct removal spells that don’t destroy Barkweave Crusher—such as exile or bounce mechanics—can efficiently handle the situation without granting your opponent extra cards.

Another effective tactic is to employ counterspells when Barkweave Crusher is cast, nullifying the threat before it even takes root on the board. For those dealing with a Crusher already in play, attacking the opponent’s mana base to restrict their ability to trigger the Crusher’s card advantage ability could also shift the game in your favor. Board control decks that can suppress creature abilities or consistently clear the board stand a good chance at dominating the match despite Barkweave Crusher’s commanding presence. By anticipating this creature and packing your deck with the right mix of responses, you’ll stand ready to maintain the upper hand against this hefty giant.

Ultimately, while Barkweave Crusher can be a powerful force, it’s not insurmountable. Intelligent play choices and strategic deck building are key to ensuring this creature doesn’t crush your chances of victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barkweave Crusher MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Barkweave Crusher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barkweave Crusher has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 The attacking player chooses whether to tap a creature for an enlist ability immediately after they tap the creatures that they have chosen to attack with. You can’t choose to enlist a creature later.
2022-09-09 To enlist a creature, that creature must be untapped, it must not be attacking (even if it has vigilance), and it must have haste or have been under that attacking player’s control since the beginning of their current turn.
2022-09-09 When a player taps a creature for an attacking creature’s enlist ability, that attacking creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the tapped creature’s power. This is a triggered ability that goes on the stack immediately after attackers have been declared in the declare attackers step.
2022-09-09 You may tap only one creature for an enlist ability of an attacking creature, and a single creature can’t be tapped for more than one enlist ability.