Dread Statuary MTG Card
2010-02-05 - Number 135
2014-03-14 - Number 35
2016-08-26 - Number 217
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool. : Dread Statuary becomes a 4/2 Golem artifact creature until end of turn. It's still a land.
The last reliable landmark in Tazeem just walked away.
Cards like Dread Statuary
Dread Statuary takes its place in the pantheon of land cards that can become creatures, a niche but significant category in Magic: The Gathering. Much like its counterpart Mutavault, Dread Statuary possesses the ability to turn into a creature; however, it becomes a colorless Golem artifact creature with power and toughness of 4/2, unlike Mutavault, which becomes a 2/2 with all creature types. Notably, Dread Statuary requires four mana to activate this ability, which is less efficient than Mutavault’s one mana activation cost.
Another similar card is Mishra’s Factory, which also transforms into a creature, specifically a 2/2 Assembly-Worker artifact creature. While it has a smaller power and toughness compared to Dread Statuary, its activation cost is lower, and it holds the added advantage of being able to pump itself or other Assembly-Workers. Moreover, Mishra’s Factory can be activated for both defense and offense within the same turn, giving it a tactical edge.
Considering the advantages and playability, each of these animate-land cards offers unique strategic benefits. Dread Statuary stands as a solid option for decks requiring a heavier hitter on the field, though it requires a higher mana investment compared to its counterparts.
Cards similar to Dread Statuary by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dread Statuary doesn’t directly provide card draw but its ability to become a creature allows for potential card advantage by forcing opponents to use removal spells on a land, effectively saving your other creatures from such spells.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a source of traditional ramp, Dread Statuary provides flexibility as it contributes to your mana base and can turn into a creature, effectively being a dual-purpose card that can accelerate your board presence without consuming additional resources.
Instant Speed: The ability of Dread Statuary to turn into a creature can be activated at instant speed, giving you the element of surprise during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, making it a versatile asset in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike other man-lands which can be animated with no additional cost, Dread Statuary forces you to tap four mana which can be detrimental to your tempo and board development.
Specific Mana Cost: Dread Statuary requires a specific mana investment of four colorless mana to become a creature. This can be restrictive in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the cost of converting Dread Statuary into a creature, players might find the mana investment high. There are numerous man-lands or creature options that can be activated or played for less, which may provide a better return on investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dread Statuary offers a unique aspect to any deck as it doubles as a land and a creature. This allows for a strategic advantage, filling in the gap when you’re short on creatures or need an unanticipated blocker.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with abilities that are triggered by creatures entering the battlefield or dying. It’s particularly useful in decks that can manipulate the number of creatures you have at any given time.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature removal is prevalent, Dread Statuary can bypass sorcery speed kill spells by only becoming a creature on your terms. Its adaptability makes it a consistent performer against various decks, ensuring your lands can always be a threat.
How to beat
Dread Statuary is a land card with a unique ability to become a creature, which can strategically bolster your defenses or add unexpected offensive capability. Despite its versatility on the battlefield, there are effective tactics to counter this animated land. For starters, having land destruction spells such as Ghost Quarter at the ready can preemptively remove Dread Statuary from play before it becomes a threat.
Another approach is to employ creature removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile when the Statuary turns into a creature. It’s crucial to wait for your opponent to invest the mana to animate Dread Statuary, ensuring they lose both the land and the mana spent to activate it, which results in a significant tempo loss for them. Moreover, players can utilize effects that prevent creature abilities, such as Pithing Needle, rendering the card a basic land unable to transform.
Overall, understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s plans and keeping removal spells at hand are key to turning the tables against a card like Dread Statuary. Controlling the pace and timing of the game allows players to mitigate the impact of this flexible land card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dread Statuary MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska, 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 Dread Statuary 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
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Printings
The Dread Statuary Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-02-05 | Worldwake | WWK | 135 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 2 | 2014-03-14 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska | DDM | 35 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 3 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 217 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dread Statuary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dread Statuary card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-03-01 | A land that becomes a creature may be affected by “summoning sickness.” You can’t attack with it or use any of its abilities (including its mana abilities) unless it began your most recent turn on the battlefield under your control. Note that summoning sickness cares about when that permanent came under your control, not when it became a creature. |
| 2010-03-01 | When a land becomes a creature, that doesn’t count as having a creature enter the battlefield. The permanent was already on the battlefield; it only changed its types. Abilities that trigger whenever a creature enters the battlefield won’t trigger. |