Arcbound Lancer
Artifact Creature — Beast
First strike
Modular 4 (This creature enters with four +1/+1 counters on it. When it dies, you may put its +1/+1 counters on target artifact creature.)
- CMC
- 7
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- C
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Darksteel
- Price
- $0.37
- EDHREC rank
- #15410
Arcbound Lancer enters with +1/+1 counters equal to the highest power on the battlefield, which in the right game state means a six- or eight-counter threat on arrival — that's immediate pressure for seven mana. The cost is the problem: Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp decks want explosive modular synergy early, and Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight builds that leverage it need to survive long enough to make the entry trigger worthwhile.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp
Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp strips +1/+1 counters from your own artifacts to pump attackers, and Arcbound Lancer lands pre-loaded with counters that can immediately feed that redistribution engine — the bigger the board, the more Lancer enters with, and the more Zabaz has to work with.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Arcbound Lancer is a late-game payoff in dedicated modular or artifact-counter builds — it does nothing in a vacuum and rewards you only if the board is already developed. Legacy and Vintage are legally accessible but irrelevant; seven mana and no immediate protection means it never sees competitive play in those formats. Modern is the same story: the Arcbound family thrives there on cheap, recursive modular pieces, and Lancer's rate is too slow to compete. Stick to Commander, specifically counter-synergy builds where the enter-the-battlefield trigger can snowball.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of TwilightAshnod's AltarArcbound Lancer
Infinite LTB; Infinite ETB; Infinite sacrifice triggers; Infinite death triggers; Infinite colorless mana; Infinite +1/+1 counters on certain creatures
View on Commander Spellbook ↗
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of TwilightArcbound RavagerArcbound Lancer
Infinite LTB; Infinite ETB; Infinite sacrifice triggers; Infinite death triggers; Infinite +1/+1 counters on a creature; Infinite +1/+1 counters on certain creatures; Draw the game
View on Commander Spellbook ↗
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of TwilightViscera SeerArcbound Lancer
Infinite LTB; Infinite ETB; Infinite sacrifice triggers; Infinite death triggers; Infinite scry 1; Infinite +1/+1 counters on certain creatures
View on Commander Spellbook ↗
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of TwilightCarrion FeederArcbound Lancer
Infinite LTB; Infinite ETB; Infinite sacrifice triggers; Infinite death triggers; Infinite +1/+1 counters on a creature; Infinite +1/+1 counters on certain creatures
View on Commander Spellbook ↗
Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of TwilightPhyrexian AltarArcbound Lancer
Infinite LTB; Infinite ETB; Infinite colored mana; Infinite sacrifice triggers; Infinite death triggers; Infinite +1/+1 counters on certain creatures
View on Commander Spellbook ↗Price Context
Current price
$0.37 bulk tier
At $0.37, Arcbound Lancer sits firmly in bulk territory, which makes sense given its narrow role and high mana cost. The price is stable — it doesn't spike outside niche modular Commander lists, so picking up a copy is low-risk and low-reward in equal measure.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn // Isilu, Carrier of Twilight
- Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp
- Ashnod's Altar
- Arcbound Ravager
- Viscera Seer
- Carrion Feeder
- Phyrexian Altar
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.