Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter MTG Card


Giving players card draw each turn, Liberator enhances gameplay with consistent pressure and a robust card flow. Instant speed casting allows for flexible tactics and can disrupt opponent strategies at crucial moments. Though potent, the card’s discard condition and specific mana cost may limit its utility in some decks.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact Creature — Thopter
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flash Flying You may cast colorless spells and artifact spells as though they had flash. Whenever you cast a spell, if the amount of mana spent to cast that spell is greater than Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter's power, put a +1/+1 counter on Liberator.


Cards like Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter

Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter presents a unique dynamic in artifact creature slots for Magic: The Gathering players. This card shares some similarities with its kin like Hovermyr, which also offers utility in the form of vigilance and an efficient cost-to-effect ratio. Yet, Liberator stands out by providing a modular ability, allowing players to scale its power based on the artifacts in play, which Hovermyr lacks.

Another parallel can be drawn with Ornithopter, a staple in artifact-focused decks due to its cost of zero. Although Ornithopter doesn’t escalate its threat level with additional artifacts, it does give deck builders a versatile tool for combos and synergies, particularly in affinity setups. However, Liberator, with its ability to grow, can become a formidable force that Ornithopter can’t match without external buffs.

Ultimately, examining cards like Liberator alongside others in its category reveals the intricacies of deck construction and the subtle power shifts that occur with each addition. While its relatives serve specific roles, it’s the adaptability and potential growth of Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter that can turn it into an unexpected game-changer on the battlefield.

Hovermyr - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Hovermyr - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter by color, type and mana cost

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Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green TronMono-Green Tron ModernMono-Green TronModern Preliminary 2024-01-05
Mono-Blue ArtifactsMono-Blue Artifacts StandardMono-Blue ArtifactsTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 1, 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Mono-Black AggroMono-Black Aggro PioneerEldraziUOL MKM Pioneer League
Grixis ComboGrixis Combo StandardGrixis ControlJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter offers a dynamic play advantage by potentially drawing a card each turn. This consistent advantage helps players maintain pressure and card flow throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a powerful accelerator in artifact-centric decks. By enabling the creation or use of artifact tokens, players can propel their board state and set up for significant plays ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: One of Liberator’s strengths is its ability to be cast at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility. This allows players to adapt to the unfolding game, making critical plays even during the opponent’s turn, which can disrupt their strategy and maintain the upper hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to including Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter in your arsenal is its forced discard condition. Activating its ability demands that you discard a card, which could potentially leave you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of this card is not just any mana but requires a blue and a colorless. This can restrict deck-building options, particularly if you’re working within a limited or specific color palette and don’t consistently have access to blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter may be an appealing choice, its four mana cost to cast can be considered steep. Players must weigh its benefits against other cards with similar or lower casting costs that could potentially offer more immediate or powerful effects on the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter offers adaptability by fitting into various decks, ranging from artifact-centric builds to those seeking efficient flyers. Its ability to counter abilities or spells targeting permanents you control adds a protective layer, making it a valuable asset across multiple strategies.

Combo Potential: Its synergy with artifact strategies can’t be overstated. As a combo enabler, it works well with cards that care about artifacts entering the battlefield or being sacrificed, offering numerous pathways to amplify your game plan.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent strategies by safeguarding key pieces, it holds its ground in a meta where targeted removal is prevalent. Plus, this versatile thopter lends itself to counter plays that can turn the tide of the game, ensuring its relevance in dynamic competitive scenes.


How to beat

Liberator, Urza’s Battlethopter presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As an artifact creature with flying, it can be tough to pin down. Still, there are strategies to outmaneuver it. Targeted removal spells that can reach flying creatures, like Murder or Doom Blade, work well to remove this pesky thopter without triggering its ability. Artifact removal spells, such as Naturalize or Abrade, are particularly effective against Liberator as they neutralize it before it becomes a recurring threat.

Moreover, it’s worth considering that Liberator’s ability requires a turn to set up. Therefore, using instant-speed interaction on your opponent’s turn can disrupt their plan, leaving them without the returning effect. In the broader gameplay, focusing on maintaining a board presence that outpaces the value generated by a single thopter could dilute its relevance. Lastly, enchantments like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void hamper graveyard-based tactics, ensuring that once Liberator is dealt with, it stays out of play, easing your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The Brothers' War, 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 Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Ekaterina Burmak.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1058182015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak
22022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 3642015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak
32022-11-18The Brothers' War Art SeriesABRO 442015Art seriesBorderlessEkaterina Burmak
42022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 2372015NormalBlackEkaterina Burmak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Liberator, Urza's Battlethopter has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-14 The last ability cares only about the amount of mana that was actually spent to cast the spell, regardless of its mana cost.
2022-10-14 The third ability applies only to casting spells. It does not, for example, change when you may activate abilities that can be activated "only as a sorcery."
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.