Akki Blizzard-Herder MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Shaman |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 91 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Text of card
When Akki Blizzard-Herder is put into a graveyard from play, each player sacrifices a land.
"It remains unclear whether the akki shamans could in fact create storms or simply predicted them." —*The History of Kamigawa*
Cards like Akki Blizzard-Herder
Akki Blizzard-Herder earns its recognition among the pantheon of modest but impactful creatures in MTG. Its kindred spirit might be seen in Rumbling Aftershocks, which has a similar land destruction theme. Though Rumbling Aftershocks doesn’t offer a creature body, when it comes to damaging your opponent’s mana base, it is decidedly more direct and recurring as it focuses on when charged artifacts are played.
Another relative is the classic Stone Rain. Despite lacking the creature aspect of Akki Blizzard-Herder, Stone Rain allows for specific targeting of lands, giving it a precision tool reputation in land destruction decks. Echoing Ruin, while sharing the sentiment of dismantling mana sources, offers a different angle by targeting only artifacts. Its potential to be a sweeping blow against artifact-heavy opponents makes it a situational yet formidable choice.
When comparing these counterparts, Akki Blizzard-Herder stands out by combining a threatening battlefield presence with a brief setback to each player’s land development, making for a balanced and strategic play in the right deck.
Cards similar to Akki Blizzard-Herder by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Akki Blizzard-Herder may not draw cards directly, its ability to potentially disrupt the opponent’s land base can translate into a form of card advantage. This is particularly effective if you have a deck tailored to benefit from land destruction.
Resource Acceleration: At first glance, it may seem counterintuitive, but destroying a land with Akki Blizzard-Herder can actually be a form of resource acceleration in the right deck. Paired with cards that allow you to play additional lands per turn or retrieve lands from the graveyard, you can turn the tide in your favor quickly.
Instant Speed: Although Akki Blizzard-Herder’s ability isn’t at instant speed, the card’s impact on resources can be as strategically valuable as an instant. Deploying this card effectively can force instant-speed responses from your opponent, potentially clearing the way for your other game plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When you play the Akki Blizzard-Herder, you must be prepared to sacrifice a land should it leave the battlefield. This drawback could set you back, especially in the early game where land drops are crucial for maintaining momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: Needing one red mana to cast this card means it slots primarily into red or multi-colored decks. This requirement can restrict deck-building options, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the Akki Blizzard-Herder’s modest 1/1 stats, the combined cost of one colorless and one red mana might be seen as steep, especially when other cards in the same mana range could provide stronger board presence or more impactful effects.
Reasons to Include Akki Blizzard-Herder in Your Collection
Versatility: Akki Blizzard-Herder offers a unique ability to impact the mana base of each player. This can be strategically utilized in decks designed to manipulate land totals on the battlefield or in conjunction with landfall mechanics.
Combo Potential: In combination with cards that punish players for sacrificing lands or benefit from land destruction, Akki Blizzard-Herder can become a critical piece of a destructive puzzle. It can also be paired with cards that allow you to benefit from your own land sacrifices more than your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where ramp decks are popular, disrupting an opponent’s land base can be a crucial strategy. Akki Blizzard-Herder challenges those ramp strategies, ensuring that no player can pull too far ahead in terms of resources.
How to beat
The Akki Blizzard-Herder may seem like a mere inconvenience at first glance, but underestimating its land-sacrifice ability could turn the tides against you in a Magic: The Gathering match. This on-death ability forces each player to sacrifice a land, a mechanism that can be disruptive for your strategy if not handled correctly.
One reliable way to counter this red creature’s effect is by maintaining a land advantage over your opponent. Land ramp spells, for instance, accelerate the number of lands you have on the battlefield, cushioning the impact of the Blizzard-Herder’s ability. Another method is to rely on land regeneration or retrieval spells that quickly bring lands back from your graveyard to the battlefield, ensuring you won’t fall behind in mana production.
Additionally, instant-speed removal spells are particularly effective as they can remove the Akki Blizzard-Herder at a time that minimizes disruption to your game plan. By managing your resources wisely and staying ahead in land count, you can neutralize the threat of the Akki Blizzard-Herder and maintain your momentum in any MTG game. Considering these strategies helps smart players to effectively navigate around the potential pitfalls its sacrifice ability creates.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Akki Blizzard-Herder MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Akki Blizzard-Herder and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Akki Blizzard-Herder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |