Crossway Vampire MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Released | 2011-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad |
| Set code | ISD |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 135 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Evans |
Text of card
When Crossway Vampire enters the battlefield, target creature can't block this turn.
"Do not flatter Fate. It did not guide you into my clutches tonight. That was all my doing."
Cards like Crossway Vampire
Crossway Vampire has an interesting role in MTG decks that focus on creature control and tempo advantages. When you compare it to other cards that have a similar impact on the board, you’ll notice nuances that can make a considerable difference in your games. For instance, Intimidator Initiate, albeit a smaller creature, also disrupts the opponent’s ability to block when red spells are cast, potentially paving the way for an unimpeded attack.
Geistflame Reservoir offers a different angle, providing incremental damage and board control for repeated spells, instead of Crossway Vampire’s singular yet immediate impact. Comparatively, Blazing Specter brings a more robust creature to the table, with flying and a discard effect upon hitting an opponent, although it comes with a higher mana cost and requires a multicolor mana base to cast effectively.
Ultimately, Crossway Vampire is a solid choice if you need a creature that immediately affects the board; its ability to remove a blocker upon entry can lead to quick and unexpected victories. This sort of board manipulation can be crucial, particularly during mid-game scenarios where board presence and tempo are critical to securing a win in MTG.
Cards similar to Crossway Vampire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Crossway Vampire may not directly enable you to draw additional cards, its ability to open up the battlefield by tapping an opponent’s creature can provide an indirect card advantage by allowing your other creatures to connect more easily.
Resource Acceleration: Crossway Vampire itself is not a direct source of resource acceleration. However, clearing a path for your more crucial attackers can lead to a quicker defeat of your opponent, thus accelerating the path to victory, which is an invaluable resource in the game.
Instant Speed: While this creature is cast at sorcery speed, its impact on the board is immediately felt. The instant advantage is created by disrupting your opponent’s defense and enabling a potentially unblocked attack, thus capitalizing on the timing of your play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Crossway Vampire may seem enticing for its immediate impact on the board, players should beware that there is no discard requirement associated with this card. This factor is a moot point and a potential area of confusion when discussing drawbacks; its exclusion from gameplay considerations is an advantage in this case.
Specific Mana Cost: For a blend of red mana intensity, Crossway Vampire requires a payment of two Red and one other mana. This mana combination might restrict strategic deck building, particularly in formats that favor mana flexibility or multicolored decks that have stringent color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Crossway Vampire might appear costly when compared to other creatures at a similar CMC (Converted Mana Cost) that offer potentially greater value or more versatile effects. Players could find themselves opting for more impactful cards that maximize returns on their mana investments.
Reasons to Include Crossway Vampire in Your Collection
Versatility: The Crossway Vampire is a flexible addition to any collection as it can seamlessly slot into numerous red-based aggro and midrange decks. Its ability to give a creature an inability to block this turn can pave the way for strategic plays.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with strategies that capitalize on unblocked attackers. Its utility is further amplified in decks designed around dealing damage directly or utilizing similar “can’t block” effects for a powerful offensive push.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where board presence and swift damage are key, Crossway Vampire can become a game-changer. By disrupting your opponent’s defensive line, it allows for more aggressive plays and can tilt the game in your favor.
How to beat
Crossway Vampire may not be the mightiest card you’ll encounter in your MTG duels, but it does have the potential to unsettle your blockers with its enter the battlefield ability, propelling enemy creatures into a vulnerable position for a turn. To overcome this red-hued menace, one could consider leveraging swift removal spells to dispatch it before it causes disruption. Spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile could serve well in such situations, efficiently dealing with the creature before it has a chance to swing the combat in your opponent’s favor.
An alternative approach is to fortify your defenses with creatures that have flash, allowing you to surprise your opponent by bringing in blockers even after Crossway Vampire has resolved. This way, you can maintain a stable defense, rendering the vampire’s ability less effective. Moreover, integrating creatures or spells that benefit from being targeted can turn the tables, using Crossway Vampire’s ability as a catalyst for triggering advantageous effects on your own terms.
Ultimately, neutralizing a Crossway Vampire requires a blend of timely removal and strategic counterplay, ensuring that its battlefield entrance stirs more benefit for you than havoc.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crossway Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Crossway Vampire 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crossway Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |