Blastoderm MTG Card


Undefeated by sorcery-speed spells, Blastoderm ensures board presence and withstands initial removal attempts. While limiting targeting options, the Shroud ability enhances Blastoderm’s value in green-centric decks. Its four-turn invulnerability to targeted removal pressures opponents, making it a strategic asset.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Fading,Shroud
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Fading 3 (This creature comes into play with three fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Blastoderm can't be the target of spells or abilities.


Cards like Blastoderm

In the world of Magic the Gathering, a creature like Blastoderm holds its ground as a formidable powerhouse. Nestled within the spectrum of green creature spells, it bears comparison to other notable heavyweights such as Leatherback Baloth. The Baloth comes with an impressive 4/5 body for three green mana, but unlike our shrouded friend, it lacks the evasion from being targeted that Blastoderm offers with its fading ability.

Blastoderm shares its fading mechanic with cards like Thornscape Battlemage. Yet, the Battlemage leans towards utility with its kickers rather than raw power. On the perseverance spectrum, Penumbra Wurm also enters the battlefield with a hefty price tag but leaves behind a token when it dies, granting longevity that Blastoderm doesn’t quite match.

While various creatures may boast some similarities, the sheer tempo advantage gained by Blastoderm’s above-curve size and its brief but potent period of invulnerability set it apart in green creature-based strategies, solidifying its niche in MTG’s vast array of creature spells.

Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Thornscape Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Thornscape Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions

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Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
The RockThe Rock PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Jund ControlJund Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 2
Abzan AggroAbzan Aggro PremodernMisty Premodern Winter Finals
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Golgari OathGolgari Oath PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Blastoderm itself doesn’t generate direct card advantage, its sheer resilience to control spells that often lead to one-for-one trades can indirectly lead to card advantage. By forcing your opponent to use multiple resources to deal with it, Blastoderm can easily become a key player in gaining the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: Blastoderm may not provide direct resource acceleration, but its low cost relative to its power and toughness means you’re getting a significant presence on the board early on. For four mana, you’re deploying a threat that requires immediate addressing, which accelerates the pressure you put on an opponent.

Instant Speed: While Blastoderm doesn’t have abilities that operate at instant speed, its Fading 3 ability means it comes into play shielded from sorcery-speed removal spells for your opponent’s next turn. This guarantees it will stick around for at least a swing or two, making it quite effective against decks that rely on setup and sorcery-speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blastoderm doesn’t come with a direct discard requirement; however, since it features the Shroud ability, you may find your options for targeting and enhancing it significantly limited. This can indirectly cause card discard if you’re unable to use buffs or protections on this creature.

Specific Mana Cost: Blastoderm requires a specific mana configuration to cast—two generic and two green mana. This mana composition necessitates a dedicated green mana base, which could potentially restrict its inclusion in multi-colored or colorless decks that can’t consistently provide the required green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Blastoderm is a sizeable creature for its cost. Nonetheless, it’s important to weigh its cost against other options available. Certain decks might prefer creatures with immediate board impact or lower-cost creatures that allow for a more versatile playstyle.


Reasons to Include Blastoderm in Your Collection

Versatility: Blastoderm offers a robust presence in green creature-focused decks due to its solid stats and immunity to targeted spells for a limited time, allowing for aggressive board development against control decks.

Combo Potential: Despite not having intrinsic combo synergies, its resiliency makes it an excellent candidate for decks utilizing flicker effects or enchantments like Rancor, providing a recurring threat that’s tough to handle.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with spot removal, Blastoderm’s Shroud ability for its first four turns on the battlefield makes it an asset, as it is impervious to most targeted removal spells, allowing it to pressure opponents effectively during this crucial window.


How to beat

Blastoderm has been a formidable presence on the battlefield since it first appeared in the Nemesis set of Magic: The Gathering. Recognized for its substantial 5/5 stats and the ephemeral nature provided by fading, it presents a unique challenge to overcome. To effectively neutralize Blastoderm, it’s essential to bypass its shroud ability which prevents it from being the target of spells or abilities.

One strategy is to control the combat phase. Since Blastoderm can’t be targeted by spells or abilities, using global effects like Wrath of God to clear the board can be a key maneuver. Another tactic is to employ creatures with higher defense values to block and withstand Blastoderm’s attacks, waiting out the fading counters until it phases itself out of the game. Also, cards that change the rules of combat, such as Ensnaring Bridge, can prevent Blastoderm from attacking at all. Understanding the timing and employing preventative measures against Blastoderm ensures that this creature’s impact is minimized during play.

Ultimately, cards like Blastoderm test a player’s ability to adapt and find creative solutions to seemingly indestructible threats. Navigating around its protections can turn the tides of the game in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blastoderm MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Blastoderm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blastoderm Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-02-14NemesisNEM 1021997NormalBlackEric Peterson
22000-08-02World Championship Decks 2000WC00 jk1021997NormalGoldEric Peterson
32001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 jt1021997NormalGoldEric Peterson
42002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 351342003NormalBlackEric Peterson
52014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 1982015NormalBlackNils Hamm
62014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. LilianaGVL 72015NormalBlackNils Hamm
72019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11422003NormalBlackNils Hamm
82020-09-26The ListPLST DDD-72003NormalBlackNils Hamm

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blastoderm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal