Coldsteel Heart MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 136
2015-11-13 - Number 249
2018-06-08 - Number 181
2019-11-07 - Number 1562
2022-07-08 - Number 301
2022-12-02 - Number 94
2020-09-26 - Number CM2-181
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Snow Artifact |
Text of card
Coldsteel Heart comes into play tapped. As Coldsteel Heart comes into play, choose a color. : Add one mana of the chosen color to your mana pool.
The Phyrexian death machine awoke, its coldsteel heart imbuing it with sinister new power.
Cards like Coldsteel Heart
Coldsteel Heart is a standout mana-fixing artifact in MTG, joining the ranks of other powerful mana accelerators. Like Coldsteel Heart, cards such as Mind Stone offer mana ramp benefits, with the additional upside of being able to draw a card later on.
Another card worth mentioning is the classic staple, Arcane Signet, which taps for any mana color in your commander’s identity but lacks the snow mana synergy Coldsteel Heart provides. Mana ramp cards like Fellwar Stone can also adjust to the color identity of opponents’ lands, offering a different flexibility compared to the set choice upon casting Coldsteel Heart.
While each of these other cards offers varying benefits, Coldsteel Heart remains unique in its ability to provide a specific color of mana or even a snow mana that can be crucial for activating certain abilities. Its two-mana cost and color-fixing qualities make it a reliable option for many MTG decks. The comparison highlights its relevance in a game where mana efficiency and acceleration are key to success.
Cards similar to Coldsteel Heart by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Coldsteel Heart. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024 | |
 | Simic Ramp | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
 | Four-color Planeswalkers | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | 0() | |
 | Four-color Combo | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| Sultai Combo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 44 | |
 | Azorius Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 | |
| Five-color Combo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 44 | |
 | Orzhov Planeswalkers | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024 | |
 | Boros Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Coldsteel Heart doesn’t draw cards directly, it efficiently filters mana and can smoothen out your draws by ensuring you have the necessary mana colors to play the cards in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a mana rock, Coldsteel Heart ramps your mana one turn ahead. This can be crucial in casting high-impact spells sooner and can be particularly beneficial in formats where early game advantage is key.
Instant Speed: Although Coldsteel Heart is not an instant, it plays well with instant-speed strategies by providing a permanent increase in mana resources, which frees up your lands to cast instants or activate abilities during your opponents’ turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Coldsteel Heart does not require an actual discard, it necessitates being played as a tapped artifact, meaning you cannot benefit from it until your next turn. This delay functionally mirrors the setback of a discard, as you cannot use that mana advantage immediately when you most need it.
Specific Mana Cost: Coldsteel Heart asks for a precise two mana investment and once placed, it only provides one specific color of mana. This condition might not seamlessly fit into the mana curve or color requirements of a deck, especially in multi-colored configurations that demand a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana might not seem excessive, for an artifact that only produces one additional mana, the return on investment can be considered suboptimal. In a game where tempo is crucial, this cost for a later gain could be a significant drawback when faced with faster, more agile decks. Other mana-producing artifacts or ramp spells could potentially offer more immediate or versatile benefits.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Coldsteel Heart stands out for its adaptability across various decks, offering mana fixing that can be essential in two-color decks or any strategy requiring a consistent mana base for early game plays.
Combo Potential: This card is not just a mana source; it shines in decks that synergize with snow permanents or utilize artifacts for combo interactions, making Coldsteel Heart a multifaceted tool for inventive plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where speed can be decisive, Coldsteel Heart provides an edge by smoothing out mana curves and enabling faster deployment of high-impact spells, ensuring its relevance in various competitive formats.
How to beat Coldsteel Heart
Coldsteel Heart sets itself apart in MTG as a solid mana acceleration artifact with a pinch of mana fixing. Similar to other mana stones, it comes with a one-time choice of color, offering a permanent mana boost once it’s on the battlefield. It’s a static ability that differs from the more flexible mana dorks that can be eliminated or repurposed during the game.
When facing Coldsteel Heart, the key is disruption. Artifact removal spells are your best ally, with options like Disenchant or Abrade providing efficient ways to dispatch the Heart and slow down your opponent’s game plan. It’s essential to time these spells right, ideally before the Heart can be used. Alternatively, applying sufficient early-game pressure can often force your opponent to divert mana away from the acceleration Coldsteel Heart provides, and into immediate threats or defenses instead.
Moreover, engaging in counterplay strategies like land destruction can also be effective, though often less direct. Keeping the pressure up and maintaining control of the board can neutralize the advantage that Coldsteel Heart offers, keeping you in the driver’s seat throughout the duel. Understanding when to react and when to let the artifact sit can be the key to victory against decks utilizing this potent mana artifact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Coldsteel Heart MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Commander 2015, 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 Coldsteel Heart 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Coldsteel Heart Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap | CSP | 136 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Romanoski | |
| 2 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 249 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Romanoski | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Romanoski | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1562 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Romanoski | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | CM2-181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Romanoski | ||
| 6 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 301 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Romanoski | |
| 7 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | I☆LA |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Coldsteel Heart has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |