Frost Walker MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 35
2002-06-24 - Number 55886
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Low mana cost and high power make Frost Walker an early-game threat.
- Vulnerability to targeting demands strategic use to avoid sacrifice.
- Effective in the right deck, poor defense limits broader use.
Text of card
When Frost Walker becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it.
"As the clans carved out their territories, we saw allies where the Mardu saw only obstacles." —Yasova Dragonclaw
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Frost Walker doesn’t inherently provide card advantage, its mere presence on the battlefield can force opponents to play cards that they wouldn’t normally utilize, indirectly affecting the overall card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Frost Walker itself may not directly contribute to resource acceleration, but its low mana cost allows for a quick deployment on the battlefield, making it easier to allocate resources for other strategic plays in the early stages of the game.
Instant Speed: Even though Frost Walker is not an instant, its ability to become a significant threat quickly encourages players to retain instant-speed removal or tricks in hand, which could be used as indirect leverage during gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Frost Walker Mtg card demands an immediate sacrifice when targeted by a spell or ability, essentially forcing you to discard it from play. This involuntary discard can disrupt your board presence, especially if Frost Walker is your primary creature on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires specifically blue mana in its casting cost, which could restrict its integration into multi-colored decks. Players might find it challenging to align their mana sources to consistently cast Frost Walker in a diverse deck environment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a creature that can easily be removed by targeting it with any ability or spell, its cost-effectiveness comes into question. Considering alternative creatures with greater resilience or more advantageous abilities at a similar mana cost, Frost Walker might often fall short in comparison, reducing its viability in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Frost Walker in Your Collection
Versatility: Frost Walker offers valuable adaptability for blue-based aggressive decks with its cost-effective 4/1 body. Its low mana cost allows it to hit the board early, posing a considerable threat to opponents and putting pressure on their life total swiftly.
Combo Potential: When utilized with abilities or spells that negate or exploit the creature’s downside, Frost Walker’s potential blossoms. Its ability to become a sizable creature for various creature synergies or even sacrifice fodder makes it a surprising and strategic inclusion.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta loaded with non-targeting removals or when the battlefield is less interactive, Frost Walker shines. Its value skyrockets against decks that can’t afford to target it directly, enabling it to consistently deal damage or serve as an essential piece in maintaining board presence.
How to beat
Frost Walker presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield. As a two-mana creature with significant power, it can appear to be an aggressive addition to any early game strategy. It holds a unique ability where it is sacrificed when it becomes the target of a spell or ability, which can initially seem daunting to overcome. Yet, this characteristic is precisely the key to its defeat.
Countering Frost Walker involves cleverly exploiting its vulnerability. Simple tactics such as using direct damage spells, triggered abilities, or fighting mechanics can prompt its self-sacrifice feature. For instance, casting a low-cost spell like Shock or activating a tap ability of a creature like Prodigal Pyromancer can efficiently remove Frost Walker from play. Moreover, any combat tricks during the blocking phase could also work to your advantage because they could indirectly trigger Frost Walker’s weakness without needing to target it directly.
Accordingly, while Frost Walker can be a fearsome force early on, the trick lies in using calculated maneuvers that indirectly or cheaply target it. This approach makes managing the Frost Walker more about strategic play rather than a struggle against its raw power.
Cards like Frost Walker
Frost Walker has an intriguing place in the pantheon of blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship seems close to other low-cost creatures such as Gudul Lurker, which shares the same mana value and has an ability that allows it to be unblockable. Yet, Frost Walker’s unique ability makes it vulnerable when targeted, compelling players to think strategically about when to deploy it.
Phantasmal Bear comes to mind as well. This creature also comes with a low mana cost and a substantial power for that cost, but like Frost Walker, carries a fragility in the form of its illusionary nature, making it susceptible to being targeted. On the other hand, Walking Atlas, although not similar in power or toughness, is a fellow two-mana creature that can be highly beneficial by allowing additional land plays, a different kind of advantage altogether.
Looking at the bigger picture, Frost Walker finds its strength in aggressive blue strategies, offering significant power for a minimal mana investment. While its defensive capabilities may be limited, within the right deck, it has the potential to exert considerable early-game pressure on an opponent.
Cards similar to Frost Walker by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Frost Walker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Fate Reforged, 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 Frost Walker 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 Magic products
Printings
The Frost Walker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2015-01-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 55886 | 2015 | normal | black | Peter Mohrbacher | ||
| 2 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 35 | 2015 | normal | black | Mike Bierek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Frost Walker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frost Walker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | If Frost Walker becomes the target of a spell or ability, its ability triggers and is put on the stack on top of that spell or ability. Frost Walker’s ability will resolve (causing it to be sacrificed) first. Unless the spell or ability has another target, it won’t resolve as it tries to resolve for having no legal targets. |
