Barrin, Tolarian Archmage MTG Card


Barrin offers card advantage and can trigger enter-the-battlefield effects multiple times. His ability to bounce permanents accelerates resources, controlling game pace effectively. Barrin is versatile, enhancing instant speed gameplay, allowing for strategic end-of-turn plays.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Barrin, Tolarian Archmage enters the battlefield, return up to one other target creature or planeswalker to its owner's hand. At the beginning of your end step, if a permanent was put into your hand from the battlefield this turn, draw a card.


Cards like Barrin, Tolarian Archmage

Considering the unique traits of Barrin, Tolarian Archmage, we can identify similar cards within the Magic: The Gathering universe. His ability to return a permanent to its owner’s hand once he enters the battlefield echoes the function of cards like Man-o’-War. Although Man-o’-War can offer a similar battlefield reset with its entrance effect, it lacks Barrin’s secondary advantage of card draw.

Another card that stirs thoughts of Barrin is Aether Adept, a creature that also sends other permanents back to their owner’s hands. While Aether Adept can be an asset in reusing enter-the-battlefield effects or disrupting opponent strategies, it doesn’t offer card replacement when a player’s permanents leave the battlefield. This is where Barrin steps ahead with his additional draw mechanic, rewarding foresight and strategy.

In terms of providing value and impact in a game, Barrin, Tolarian Archmage offers a balance of board control and card advantage. His versatility in temporarily removing troublesome permanents, while also potentially refueling a player’s hand, situates him as a uniquely powerful card, especially in comparison to other similar MTG options.

Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Barrin, Tolarian Archmage by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
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Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
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Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cloud Elemental - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Barrin, Tolarian Archmage. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jeskai Oracle ComboJeskai Oracle Combo LegacyBlue Oracle ComboLegacy League 2024-03-12
Esper VialEsper Vial Legacy$5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am
WUBWUB LegacyLegacy Challenge 32 2023-12-23
UBRUBR LegacyLegacy Challenge 64 2024-01-07
Mono-Blue ComboMono-Blue Combo LegacyBlue Oracle Combo2023 Asia Legacy Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barrin, Tolarian Archmage enables players to return a permanent they control to their hand when it enters the battlefield, which can be exploited to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects, effectively multiplying the value gained from a single card.

Resource Acceleration: Barrin’s ability to bounce a permanent back to your hand can be coupled with cards that grant benefits when cast, providing a means to repeatedly accelerate one’s resources and control the game tempo.

Instant Speed: The versatility of casting spells or activating abilities at instant speed is enhanced with Barrin’s presence, as he offers a reliable way to clear the way for beneficial end-of-turn plays, ensuring that you make the most of your turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When leveraging Barrin, Tolarian Archmage’s ability, you need to return a permanent you control to your hand, essentially forcing a discard. This can hinder tempo, especially if you’re sacrificing board presence to preserve card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both blue and generic mana, this card binds you to a blue-centric or a two-color deck where blue features prominently. It might not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that sparingly use blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Barrin, Tolarian Archmage requires three mana, which might not seem excessive but considering the specific effect, there are more mana-efficient options in the game for returning creatures to an owner’s hand or manipulating board state.


Reasons to Include Barrin Tolarian Archmage in Your Collection

Versatility: Barrin Tolarian Archmage is a flexible card that can be slotted into various blue-based decks. It excels in strategies that prioritize controlling the board, allowing for consistent bouncing of permanents to your opponent’s hand.

Combo Potential: With Barrin, you can easily concoct combinations, especially in decks that capitalize on casting multiple spells or returning valuable creatures to your hand for repeated use.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where tempo and board presence are key, Barrin helps maintain an upper hand by disrupting opponent setups, making it a smart inclusion for decks aiming to stay ahead in the current competitive scene.


How to beat

Barrin, Tolarian Archmage is a versatile card that can be a thorn in the side for many MTG players due to its ability to return a permanent to its owner’s hand when it enters the battlefield or when it dies. Despite its utility, players can employ strategies to mitigate its impact on the game. Nullifying the effectiveness of Barrin involves a focus on limiting its return ability. One tactic is to utilize spells and abilities that grant your own permanents indestructible or hexproof, ensuring that your key pieces remain on the battlefield.

Moreover, countering Barrin with instant-speed removal spells is another potent approach. This can be done by removing Barrin in response to its triggered abilities, making sure its effect is wasted. Additionally, making use of graveyard hate cards to exile Barrin or other potential targets can significantly reduce the value that your opponent gets from playing this archmage. By anticipating Barrin’s return mechanic and being ready to counteract it, you’ll diminish the card’s overall effectiveness and maintain control of the game’s pace.

To sum up, handling Barrin, Tolarian Archmage requires a combination of preventing its abilities from triggering and neutralizing it before its effects become a recurring problem. Keep these strategies in mind and Barrin won’t be as daunting to face across the table.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Barrin, Tolarian Archmage within MTG takes finesse and a deep understanding of game mechanics. Recognizing the value and implications of each move can turn this card from a mere player on the board to a cornerstone of your strategy. Whether you’re reaping the benefits of its singular bounce ability or using it to disrupt opponents effectively, there’s a lot to explore. For players eager to refine their deck-building skills and gameplay tactics, we offer more insights and advanced strategies. Deepen your MTG knowledge with us and ensure that your next duel epitomizes strategic brilliance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barrin, Tolarian Archmage MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Core Set 2021, 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 Barrin, Tolarian Archmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Barrin, Tolarian Archmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 819422015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
22020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 3482015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
32020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 452015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2762015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barrin, Tolarian Archmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-06-23 Barrin's last ability checks the entire turn, even before Barrin was on the battlefield.
2020-06-23 If a permanent wasn't put into your hand from the battlefield before your end step begins, Barrin's ability doesn't trigger at all.
2020-06-23 If a token is returned to your hand, it's put there before it ceases to exist.
2020-06-23 The permanent that was returned to your hand doesn't have to still be there.
2020-06-23 You draw only one card, no matter how many permanents were put into your hand from the battlefield during that turn.