Flowstone Crusher MTG Card
2000-02-14 - Number 81
2005-07-29 - Number 184
2005-07-29 - Number 184★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
oo R Flowstone Crusher gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
"Someone must have done something very bad to make a rock that angry." —Rebel scout
Cards like Flowstone Crusher
The Flowstone Crusher is a formidable creature card in Magic: The Gathering that showcases the might of red’s destructive power. Comparable to it in terms of sheer strength is the Rathi Dragon, boasting equal offensive capabilities. The trade-off for the Rathi Dragon, however, comes in sacrificing two lands – a steep price for raw power.
Another creature that bears resemblance is the Shivan Dragon. One of the iconic creatures of the game, the Shivan Dragon also brings a potent threat to the battlefield with its firepower and flying ability. While Flowstone Crusher demands abundant mana to increase its power temporarily, Shivan Dragon enjoys the benefit of a more consistent power boost with its built-in ability to pump its strength permanently for each mana invested.
In the broader context, these cards embody the classic strengths and strategies red-aligned MTG players value: high power and aggressive tactics. Nonetheless, each creature has its own niche, with Flowstone Crusher being a prime choice for its versatility in mid-to-late game scenarios where mana is plentiful.
Cards similar to Flowstone Crusher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Flowstone Crusher doesn’t directly draw cards, its reusable effects can potentially eliminate multiple opponent creatures over several turns, effectively dwindling their resources while maintaining your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This red creature may not produce mana or treasure tokens, but its ability to become an immediate threat forces opponents to deal with it quickly, potentially disrupting their mana allocation and accelerating your path to victory through their resource mismanagement.
Instant Speed: Flowstone Crusher’s ability to increase its power at instant speed allows for significant combat trick potential. This flexibility can surprise an opponent during combat, making it a formidable force capable of turning the tide of battle in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Flowstone Crusher demands that you discard a card to unleash its capabilities. In the heat of a close game, letting go of valuable hand assets could backfire, leaving you vulnerable to your opponent’s strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting this creature requires not only three generic mana but also two red mana. This specificity ties you down to decks that can reliably produce red mana, potentially stifling your deck’s flexibility and leaving you scrambling in color-screw situations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at a total of five mana to get this beast onto the battlefield, the Flowstone Crusher comes with a weighty cost. In an environment rich with efficient creatures and spells, its mana demand may be a tad too taxing, reducing its playability in fast-paced, highly competitive formats.
Reasons to Include Flowstone Crusher in Your Collection
Versatility: Flowstone Crusher offers an adaptable presence on the battlefield, as it can become a significant threat at any stage of the game. Its ability to increase its power makes it a flexible option for various red-based deck builds.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to pump its own power not only makes it a standalone threat but also pairs well with strategies that capitalize on high-power creatures. Whether it’s enabling ferocious abilities or engaging in fling mechanics, the Flowstone Crusher can be an integral part of intricate combos.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature-based combat is pivotal, Flowstone Crusher can dominate. With its scalable power, it can quickly adapt to the flow of the game, making it crucial in matchups where sizeable creatures dictate the board.
How to beat Flowstone Crusher
Understanding the dynamics of Flowstone Crusher is crucial for players aiming to outmaneuver this potent red creature card. In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Flowstone Crusher represents a significant threat due to its flexibility in strength. It’s the card’s ability that allows its power to be increased that demands a strategic response.
To effectively counter Flowstone Crusher, consider leveraging efficient removal spells that can deal with the creature before it becomes too powerful. The timing of these spells is paramount; it is often best to target the Crusher before your opponent has the chance to increase its power through its activated ability. Creature cards with “destroy” effects or those that can exile at instant speed, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are particularly effective options.
Moreover, control strategies incorporating counterspells are equally effective by preventing Flowstone Crusher from hitting the battlefield in the first place. As with many creature-based threats, maintaining board control and keeping mana open for responses can turn the tides in your favor. By focusing on versatile and swift answers, you can ensure that Flowstone Crusher doesn’t overrun your defenses, proving that even the most robust creatures have their weaknesses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flowstone Crusher MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Ninth 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 Flowstone Crusher and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Flowstone Crusher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by Ben Thompson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-02-14 | Nemesis | NEM | 81 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 184 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 184★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flowstone Crusher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flowstone Crusher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-08-01 | Flowstone Crusher’s ability can be activated multiple times, but Flowstone Crusher is put into the graveyard after an effect resolves that makes its toughness 0. |