Brushstrider MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Leverages life gain for an indirect card advantage by forcing opponents to overcommit on the board.
  2. Resource-efficient, its vigiliance synergizes with instant-speed spells, enhancing strategic flexibility.
  3. Despite its mana specificity, Brushstrider’s benefits make it a staple for fast-paced green-themed decks.
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.

Text of card

Vigilance

Magistrate Ludy agreed to designate land for the brushstriders only after several broken windows and dozens of missing blini-cakes.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Brushstrider stands out by offering consistent life gain which, while not directly related to drawing cards, can prove strategically advantageous. It can indirectly contribute to card advantage by outpacing an opponent’s damage output, forcing them to commit more resources to the board to handle it.

Resource Acceleration: Although Brushstrider itself does not provide mana acceleration, its low-cost nature enables players to remain resource-efficient. By only investing two mana for a robust body that can also gain life, players can allocate resources towards other spells, effectively keeping pace with the game’s demands.

Instant Speed: While Brushstrider is a creature and not an instant, it synergizes well with instant-speed spells. Its vigilance ability allows it to attack without tapping, leaving you free to cast spells at instant speed during your opponent’s turn without losing battlefield presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With cards like Brushstrider, players are fortunate to have no discard requirement involved, however this might not be the case with other cards that impact hand state negatively.

Specific Mana Cost: Brushstrider calls for precise mana, needing both green and colorless which could restrict its playability exclusively to green decks or those that can manage the mana fixing necessary.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at two mana for a 3/1 creature, it may come across as an efficient play. But when stacked against other cards at similar costs, it falls short in providing additional value such as card draw or built-in protection, potentially making it less appealing in certain strategies.


Reasons to Include Brushstrider in Your Collection

Versatility: Brushstrider thrives in decks that capitalize on high-speed gameplay. Its swift pace and vigilance allow it to be a steady force on the battlefield, adapting to both offensive plays and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: With its life gain ability, Brushstrider can mesh well with strategies centered on incremental health increases or with cards that synergize with life gain triggers, empowering your overall game plan.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where aggressive decks are prevalent, Brushstrider’s quick tempo and life gain can give players the edge they need, making it a relevant choice for staying ahead of the curve.


How to beat

Brushstrider stands out in MTG as a swift and sturdy creature, boasting vigilance and the potential for life gain with its solid 3/1 stats. This can be challenging for opponents, especially in the early game where its impact is most pronounced.

One effective way to counter this card is by utilizing removal spells that can target Brushstrider before the life gain becomes significant. Instant speed spells like Shock or Fatal Push are excellent choices since they can disrupt the player’s tempo, dealing with Brushstrider before it can attack or block. Additionally, employing creatures with deathtouch or those that can overpower it in combat can neutralize its advantage. Utilizing board sweepers like Wrath of God can also reset the playing field, nullifying the benefits that Brushstrider brings to the table early on.

By integrating these strategies, players can diminish the effectiveness of Brushstrider and its potential to tip the scales in favor of the opponent. Strategic timing and the right mix of cards are key components in handling such a versatile creature thus preserving one’s life total and maintaining board control.


Cards like Brushstrider

Brushstrider stands out in MTG as a solid creature card that offers both speed and resilience. This two-mana cost Vigilance beast compares with other quick creatures like Strangleroot Geist. Although the Geist has Undying, giving it a second life, Brushstrider has the advantage of Vigilance, allowing it to attack without tapping. This provides a tactical edge as it remains ready to block during your opponent’s turn.

Another similar card worth mentioning is Healer’s Hawk. While smaller at just one mana, Healer’s Hawk brings Lifelink to the table, contributing to your life total with each strike. In contrast, Brushstrider doesn’t directly impact life points but offers a sturdier body to resist common removal spells in the game. Comparatively, Sylvan Advocate also shares Brushstrider’s Vigilance trait, but as a late-game draw, Advocate can become more formidable with landfall synergy.

All things considered, Brushstrider provides players with a practical mix of offensive and defensive capabilities earlier in the game. Its vigilance and respectable toughness make it a versatile choice for decks that aim to maintain presence on the board.

Strangleroot Geist - MTG Card versions
Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Advocate - MTG Card versions
Strangleroot Geist - Dark Ascension Promos (PDKA)
Healer's Hawk - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Sylvan Advocate - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Cards similar to Brushstrider by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
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Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Whirling Dervish - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Grizzly Bears - Seventh Edition (7ED)
River Boa - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Albino Troll - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Silverglade Pathfinder - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Priest of Titania - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Quirion Elves - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
Blurred Mongoose - Invasion (INV)
Llanowar Loamspeaker - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Genesis Hydra - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Scavenging Ooze - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Heir of the Wilds - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wren's Run Vanquisher - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Muscle Sliver - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Utopia Tree - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bloodline Shaman - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sakura-Tribe Elder - Junior APAC Series (PJAS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brushstrider MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Brushstrider and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Brushstrider Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Raoul Vitale.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 1172003normalblackRaoul Vitale
22016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1772015normalblackRaoul Vitale
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3812015normalblackRaoul Vitale

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brushstrider has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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