Razor Golem MTG Card


Affinity for Plains makes Razor Golem a cost-effective creature in white-centric decks. Its artifact nature means it’s a versatile component in combo and synergy-driven strategies. In metagames with minimal artifact disruption, Razor Golem could become a strong player.
Razor Golem - Darksteel
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Golem
Abilities Affinity, Vigilance
Released2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameDarksteel
Set codeDST
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number137
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Text of card

Affinity for Plains (This spell costs less to play for each Plains you control.) Attacking doesn't cause Razor Golem to tap.

The longer it stands among the deadly blades of the Razor Fields, the more it adopts their harsh exterior.


Cards like Razor Golem

Razor Golem offers a strategic edge in artifact-centric decks within the Magic: The Gathering universe. What makes it stand out is its affinity for plains which allows you to cast it for less mana if you control plains. In this realm, we have Spined Thopter, an artifact creature that shares the low-cost benefit, thanks to its Phyrexian mana which can be paid with either blue mana or life points. However, it doesn’t enjoy the cost reduction from specific land types.

Moving on, Frogmite is another artifact creature that mirrors Razor Golem’s affinity mechanic, but for any type of artifact on the battlefield rather than a land type. Although it could be cast for no mana under the right conditions, its power and toughness do not match up to Razor Golem. Porcelain Legionnaire, similar to Spined Thopter, uses Phyrexian mana, which grants it a versatile casting cost for virtually any deck, but again, lands don’t influence its casting efficiency as with the affinity of Razor Golem.

Thus, while other artifact creatures offer adaptability and potentially lower costs, Razor Golem carves a niche for itself in decks that capitalize on lands, specifically plains, making it an interesting tactical choice in Magic: The Gathering.

Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Porcelain Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Spined Thopter - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Porcelain Legionnaire - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Razor Golem by color, type and mana cost

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Mirror Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions
Leashling - MTG Card versions
Rattleblaze Scarecrow - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Mirror Golem - MTG Card versions
Mycosynth Lattice - MTG Card versions
Leashling - MTG Card versions
Rattleblaze Scarecrow - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Razor Golem benefits from being part of a deck that manipulates artifact synergies, potentially offering card advantage by easily fulfilling the requirements for affinity or improvise mechanics, which can reduce its casting cost and efficiently leverage other card interactions within the game.

Resource Acceleration: For those decks that run a significant amount of Plains, Razor Golem’s affinity for Plains ability effectively accelerates your resources. It allows you to deploy this solid creature onto the battlefield sooner than expected, contributing to an earlier presence of a substantial threat without tapping out all your available mana.

Instant Speed: While Razor Golem itself does not operate at instant speed, it complements strategies that do. It becomes a resilient board presence that permits MTG players to maintain mana for instant-speed interactions on the opponent’s turn, ensuring a balance between advancing your board state and reacting to the opponent’s moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This artifact creature comes with no direct discard penalties, but it lacks the potential advantage of self-discard synergies that some strategies might benefit from.

Specific Mana Cost: Razor Golem’s affinity for plains implies a need for a white mana-heavy deck, which can be restrictive for deck building, especially in multicolored formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a base cost of six mana for a 3/4 body, Razor Golem might be considered costly when not mitigated by its affinity, particularly when compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket offering more impactful abilities or stats.


Reasons to Include Razor Golem in Your Collection

Versatility: Razor Golem, with its affinity for Plains, seamlessly integrates into mono-white or white-inclusive decks. This natural fit allows it to be a cost-effective option which could be crucial for aggressive strategies, while still maintaining relevance in slower, control-oriented builds.

Combo Potential: Harnessing the synergy with artifact-centric strategies, Razor Golem’s artifact creature type opens up avenues for interaction with cards that care about artifacts, potentially serving as both a beater and enabler within the right construct.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating nature of the MTG metagame, Razor Golem can become a hidden gem in environments where artifact hate is minimal and white-based decks are thriving. Its robust build means it can stand up to many of the format’s common threats.


How to beat

Razor Golem, a formidable artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield. Situated within the realm of affinity decks, Razor Golem can be a taxing presence due to its affinity for Plains ability, lowering its casting cost in white-based decks. This golem provides both a defensive and offensive challenge.

To navigate around this metal giant, removal spells come to the forefront. A Shatter or Naturalize can dispatch it efficiently, bypassing its cost reduction benefit. Furthermore, spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile offer clean and swift solutions, while ensuring that its affinity doesn’t present an insurmountable barrier. In matchups against a Razor Golem, having a sideboard equipped with versatile artifact removal is crucial, as it lends adaptability to face not only the golem but other threatening artifacts as well.

Crafting a strategy to conquer such a card requires anticipation and proper planning. Integrating efficient removal or even utilizing board wipes like Wrath of God can ensure that Razor Golem’s potential impact is mitigated. By prioritizing these approaches, players can maintain an upper hand against decks looking to capitalize on Razor Golem’s strengths.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Razor Golem MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Razor Golem and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Razor Golem has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.