Creeping Trailblazer MTG Card


Enhances elemental threats, negating extra spells for creature buffs. Scales late-game resources via land taps for power increases. Demands specific mana colors, limiting adaptability in decks.
Creeping Trailblazer - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number207
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohan Grenier

Text of card

Other Elementals you control get +1/+0. : Creeping Trailblazer gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each Elemental you control.

The destruction of a wildfire with the tenacity of a jungle vine.


Cards like Creeping Trailblazer

Creeping Trailblazer serves as a vital linchpin in element-themed decks in Magic: The Gathering. This creature is often compared to other key players like Incandescent Soulstoke and Brighthearth Banneret. While Incandescent Soulstoke boosts other elementals and can even help you cheat some into play with its unique ability, it doesn’t have the land-based power increase that Creeping Trailblazer provides. Brighthearth Banneret, meanwhile, offers a cost reduction for elemental spells, which can be pivotal for a quick deployment of your forces but lacks the direct board impact that Creeping Trailblazer promises.

We also see parallels with Omnath, Locus of Rage, another elemental powerhouse that rewards you with tokens whenever an elemental dies. Omnath, however, comes with a heftier mana cost compared to Creeping Trailblazer’s more agile and land-centric utility. When it comes to building a cohesive elemental squad, each card delivers unique benefits, making Creeping Trailblazer an attractive option with its scalable power tied to the number of lands you control.

Therefore, in the realm of MTG, the adaptability and synergistic potential of Creeping Trailblazer makes it a highly valued component to any elemental-themed deck, harmonizing with the terrain itself to amplify its might.

Incandescent Soulstoke - MTG Card versions
Brighthearth Banneret - MTG Card versions
Omnath, Locus of Rage - MTG Card versions
Incandescent Soulstoke - MTG Card versions
Brighthearth Banneret - MTG Card versions
Omnath, Locus of Rage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Creeping Trailblazer itself may not directly draw cards, its ability to pump other elementals can translate into a form of card advantage by making each creature a bigger threat and potentially negating the need for additional spells to enhance them.

Resource Acceleration: This card shines in elemental decks, where its second ability allows you to scale your resources in the late game. For each land you tap, you give Creeping Trailblazer additional power and toughness, turning it from a modest threat to a considerable force, thereby accelerating your board’s potential without deploying more cards.

Instant Speed: While Creeping Trailblazer’s abilities are not at instant speed, its synergy within an elemental deck could be enhanced with other cards that have instant speed interactions, thereby adding potential surprise value during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Creeping Trailblazer doesn’t have a discard requirement, managing your hand to optimize its abilities can mimic a trade-off, as you may hold onto Elementals longer than beneficial for overall strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Creeping Trailblazer demands both red and green mana for casting, making it less adaptable outside of dedicated Gruul (red-green) decks or those that can reliably produce both colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that may be steep for its initial 2/2 body, Creeping Trailblazer competes with other two-mana creature cards that could provide immediate impact or host additional synergies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Creeping Trailblazer excels in its flexibility, as it thrives in Elementals-themed decks while also supporting strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or creature buffs. Its ability to boost other Elementals makes it a must-have for tribal synergy.

Combo Potential: With the right mix of Elementals, Creeping Trailblazer becomes a powerhouse, unlocking the potential for explosive plays. It can act as both an enabler and a beneficiary of combos, particularly with land-centric Elementals that toggle between lands and creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Creeping Trailblazer holds its ground. It’s especially relevant in a metagame favoring aggressive play, where its pumping ability can quickly escalate the power on the board.


How to beat

Creeping Trailblazer resonates with the fluid strategy of an Elemental deck in Magic: The Gathering. As a card that both strengthens other Elementals and has the ability to buff itself, it can become a thorn in the side of many players. Counteracting Creeping Trailblazer requires a tactical approach. Applying spot removal early on limits the opportunity for it to enhance its surrounding team, making cards like Shock or Fatal Push effective solutions due to their low mana cost and instant speed. Moreover, board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playfield, negating the amassed power of Elementals.

In a different strategic vein, enhancing your own creatures’ toughness ensures they can withstand battle against the boosting effect of Creeping Trailblazer. This way, cards like Buffeting Brute or Towering Titan can turn the tide by withstanding the beefed-up Elementals. On the side of creature control, Lawmage’s Binding and other lockdown enchantments can effectively neutralize Creeping Trailblazer without triggering death effects.

Ultimately, disrupting the synergy within an Elemental-focused deck before it accelerates is key. Through prompt interventions and smart defensive builds, players can navigate around the advantages that Creeping Trailblazer presents on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the strengths and weaknesses of the Creeping Trailblazer in MTG provides a deeper understanding of its strategic value. If you’re constructing an Elemental-themed deck or looking to bolster your ranks with versatile and synergistic cards, consider how Creeping Trailblazer could play a pivotal role. Whether seeking to amplify your board presence, adapt to a creature-focused meta, or simply appreciate the art of a well-crafted card, there’s plenty to explore with this particular selection. Expand your collection and enhance your gameplay by embracing the dynamic force of nature that Creeping Trailblazer represents. Learn more and diversify your strategic approach with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Creeping Trailblazer MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Creeping Trailblazer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Creeping Trailblazer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Creeping Trailblazer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-07-12 Because Creeping Trailblazer is itself an Elemental, its last ability will usually give it at least +1/+1.
2019-07-12 The size of the bonus is determined as Creeping Trailblazer’s last ability begins to resolve; it won’t change later in the turn if the number of Elementals you control changes.