Tezzeret's Strider MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Golem |
| Released | 2018-07-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2019 |
| Set code | M19 |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 290 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zack Stella |
Key Takeaways
- Card advantage and resource acceleration can make Tezzeret’s Strider a game-changer in artifact-focused decks.
- Instant speed interactions allow strategic flexibility, yet demand careful hand and mana management to maximize efficiency.
- While versatile in the right deck, Tezzeret’s Strider’s mana cost and activation requirements can hinder its overall utility.
Text of card
As long as you control a Tezzeret planeswalker, Tezzeret's Strider has menace. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
"More obedient than any dog." —Tezzeret
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tezzeret’s Strider can be a valuable addition to decks looking to capitalize on artifact synergy. By potentially replacing itself with another card from your library when the right conditions are met, it can help maintain your momentum in the match.
Resource Acceleration: This card can effectively be less costly if you’re running a deck with a heavy artifact theme. Accelerating your resources through a reduced casting cost allows you to deploy threats or answers ahead of schedule, keeping you one step ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed is not intrinsic to Tezzeret’s Strider itself; however, it interacts well with other cards that operate at instant speed. This allows you to efficiently use your mana and keep your opponents guessing, making it a subtle yet strategic addition to your game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tezzeret’s Strider demands a card to be discarded to activate certain abilities. This can cause a player to deplete their hand faster, potentially leaving them at a disadvantage if they cannot maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that necessitates both generic and blue mana, Tezzeret’s Strider may not seamlessly fit into decks outside of blue-centric or artifact strategies, limiting its versatility across varying deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the abilities offered by Tezzeret’s Strider, the mana investment might seem steep. Players often evaluate the cost-to-benefit ratio, and in a game where efficiency is key, the Strider may fall short when compared to lower-costing alternatives that provide similar or greater utility.
Reasons to Include Tezzeret’s Strider in Your Collection
Versatility: Tezzeret’s Strider is a flexible card that can be easily slotted into Artifact-centric decks or those looking to benefit from synergies with artifact creatures. Its ability to be unblockable as long as you control a Tezzeret planeswalker adds strategic depth to gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card can work well within combo strategies that revolve around artifact creatures. It can enhance the efficacy of cards that care about artifacts entering or leaving the battlefield, as well as contributing to improvise mechanics which allow you to use your artifacts to help cast spells.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where Tezzeret planeswalkers are prevalent or in environments where artifact strategies are strong, Tezzeret’s Strider can offer consistent value. Its role in augmenting artifact creature strategies makes it a relevant choice for decks aiming to exploit these synergies.
How to beat
Tezzeret’s Strider emerges from the vast repertoire of artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, priding itself on its affiliation with the notorious planeswalker Tezzeret. Among its unique features is the inherent versatility, able to adapt and become unblockable as long as you control a Tezzeret planeswalker. This attribute might seem daunting, but it certainly isn’t insurmountable.
To effectively neutralize the Strider’s advantage, consider using artifact removal spells that can dismantle the Strider before its unblockable condition is met. Spellbombs that specifically target artifacts, or cards like Shatter or Naturalize, provide straightforward solutions to dispel this mechanical menace from the battlefield. Alternately, enchantment-based control options like Pacifism restrict the Strider regardless of its unblockable status, rendering it effectively harmless. If a direct approach isn’t preferable, using strategies that diminish the usefulness of Tezzeret planeswalkers can also substantially weaken the Strider’s potential.
Ultimately, confronting Tezzeret’s Strider calls for a balanced mix of foresight and responsive tactics. Whether you’re dismantling artifacts directly, suppressing their abilities, or disrupting the planeswalker synergy, your deck can be equipped to handle this mechanical threat and maintain the upper hand in the game.
Cards like Tezzeret's Strider
Tezzeret’s Strider is an artifact creature that offers a unique mix of resilience and flexibility on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. One can draw parallels with various artifact creatures, such as Alloy Myr. While Alloy Myr provides mana acceleration thanks to its ability to tap for one mana of any color, Tezzeret’s Strider stands out with its affinity for artifacts, which potentially reduces its casting cost in a deck loaded with artifacts.
Another comparable card is the Foundry Inspector, which, much like Tezzeret’s Strider, reduces the cost of artifact spells you cast. The difference here is the Inspector’s across-the-board cost reduction, which applies to all artifacts rather than the conditional discount provided by the Strider’s affinity. Additionally, Pilgrim’s Eye shares similarities by being an artifact creature with a utility-based function, providing land fetching capabilities for deck thinning, unlike the direct combat approach that Tezzeret’s Strider facilitates.
Understanding these nuances helps MTG players to tailor their artifact-centric decks, weighing Tezzeret’s Strider’s cost-effectiveness and adaptability against other artifact creatures that offer varying strategic advantages.
Cards similar to Tezzeret's Strider by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tezzeret's Strider MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019, 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 Tezzeret's Strider and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tezzeret's Strider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
