Flashfreeze MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 33
2007-07-13 - Number 84
2009-07-17 - Number 53
2010-07-16 - Number 53
2011-07-15 - Number 52
2015-05-22 - Number 45
2019-11-07 - Number 378
2020-09-26 - Number MM2-45
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Counter target red or green spell.
"Nature? Fire? Bah! Both are chaotic and difficult to control. Ice is structured, latticed, light as a feather, massive as a glacier. In ice, there is power!" —Heidar, Rimewind master
Cards like Flashfreeze
Flashfreeze holds its ground in the realm of instant-speed counter spells within Magic: The Gathering. It’s especially potent against red and green spells, freezing them out of the game immediately. Comparing it to cards like Counterspell, which denies any spell regardless of color at the same converted mana cost, Flashfreeze’s limitation is apparent. However, against specific matchups, Flashfreeze can be a strategic sideboard card, giving players a significant advantage.
Examining Negate, another comparable card, which counters only noncreature spells, we notice a broader spectrum of targets compared to Flashfreeze, albeit without any color bias. Hydroblast bears similarity as well, although it’s restricted to countering or destroying only red spells, making Flashfreeze a more versatile choice against green threats too.
In sum, Flashfreeze offers a tailored response to certain deck types in Magic: The Gathering. While it may not have the universal application of some other counterspells, its role as a specialized, color-focused counter can be pivotal in the right scenario. Choosing Flashfreeze can be a tactical move, providing a competitive edge where it counts.
Cards similar to Flashfreeze by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Flashfreeze doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to neutralize a threat can save the resources you would have spent on other removal spells, effectively maintaining your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Flashfreeze can be pivotal in paced gameplay where keeping up with tempo is crucial. By countering a key play from your opponent, especially one that would otherwise put you behind on resources, Flashfreeze helps you accelerate your game plan while decelerating theirs.
Instant Speed: Flashfreeze’s charm lies in its instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. This not only allows for strategic depth and surprise factor but also lets you efficiently manage your mana, committing to a counter only when absolutely necessary.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Flashfreeze doesn’t make you discard as part of its casting cost, having it sit in your hand can indirectly pressure your resource management, especially if you’re holding it for the perfect moment that might never arrive due to its other limitations.
Specific Mana Cost: Flashfreeze’s casting cost requires one blue and one generic mana, which means it’s only easily slotted into decks with a strong blue mana base. This can be restrictive in multicolored decks or when facing mana shortages.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana might not seem steep, in a format where speed can be of the essence, dedicating two mana to a situational counter like Flashfreeze can be a gamble. Other cards at similar costs may offer more flexibility or impact regardless of what your opponent plays.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Flashfreeze is a highly flexible counter spell, perfect for blue-based control decks in Magic the Gathering. It can halt crucial red or green spells, which are common across a variety of decks, giving it broad application in game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card complements strategies that benefit from countering spells, potentially synergizing with cards that thrive off denied plays. It can shift the tide of gameplay, enabling powerful plays or disrupting opponents at critical moments.
Meta-Relevance: Especially effective in a meta where red aggro or green midrange decks are prevalent, Flashfreeze provides a cost-effective means to manage the board state and maintain control over the game’s flow.
How to beat
Flashfreeze is a renowned card in MTG that specializes in putting a sudden halt to your opponent’s strategies. It’s a blue instant that counters any red or green spell, key in stymying an opponent’s big plays. To outmaneuver Flashfreeze, consider diversifying your deck with spells outside of the red and green spectrum. Introducing counterspell-resistant elements, such as spells with the ‘cannot be countered’ clause or leveraging abilities and artifacts that don’t use the stack, can help you sidestep Flashfreeze’s icy grip.
Another tactic is to bait out Flashfreeze with less critical spells, freeing the path for your more important plays. Additionally, playing around an opponent’s mana availability can make a difference: if they’re holding up blue mana specifically for Flashfreeze, you might force their hand by initiating actions during their end step or at points when they’re less likely to benefit from countering your spells. Skillful timing and deck variation are your best assets to outplay a Flashfreeze-focused strategy.
Ultimately, understanding and predicting your opponent’s moves while remaining adaptable with your own game plan is crucial. This makes Flashfreeze less of a threat and more of a stepping stone on your path to victory in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flashfreeze MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Tenth Edition, 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 Flashfreeze 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
Printings
The Flashfreeze Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Brian Despain.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap | CSP | 33 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 84 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 3 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 53 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 4 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 53 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 5 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 52 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 6 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 7 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 378 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain | |
| 8 | The List | PLST | MM2-45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brian Despain |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flashfreeze has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |