Fretwork Colony MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 83
2019-11-07 - Number 664
2020-11-12 - Number 90
2020-09-26 - Number KLD-83
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Fretwork Colony can't block. At the beginning of your upkeep, put a +1/+1 counter on Fretwork Colony and you lose 1 life.
The swarm leaves behind a flawless pattern that only occasionally threatens the structural integrity of the wood.
Cards like Fretwork Colony
Fretwork Colony is an intriguing option for players looking to enhance their decks with a growing threat. This card stands out with its ability to boost its power at the beginning of your upkeep, making it potentially more formidable as the game progresses. While it does deal damage to its controller during this process, the potential payoff in increased power makes it a calculated risk.
One can draw parallels to cards such as Slith creatures which also grow as they deal combat damage to a player. However, Sliths require successful combat damage to gain counters, while Fretwork Colony grows unconditionally each turn, making it a more consistent, albeit riskier, choice. Then you have Winding Constrictor, which can accelerate the growth of Fretwork Colony, amplifying the strength of the synergy further if you’re playing within a +1/+1 counter strategy.
In weighing up options, Fretwork Colony can be an asset for MTG players specializing in aggressive strategies that value a self-strengthening creature. Despite the progressive self-damage, its capacity to become an overwhelming force provides it a unique position within MTG’s range of steadily powering creatures.
Cards similar to Fretwork Colony by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Fretwork Colony offers a unique advantage by providing a steadily growing threat each upkeep. This means that over time, without any extra card investment, the colony becomes a more formidable creature on the battlefield, thus potentially forcing your opponent to address it or risk being overwhelmed.
Resource Acceleration: Though this card doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its low casting cost allows you to play it early in the game. This efficient use of resources can accelerate your game plan, paving the way for more potent threats as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: While Fretwork Colony itself is a creature and thus not played at instant speed, the escalating power it gains during each of your upkeeps can apply pressure as if you had deployed an instant. The threat level increases at a pace that requires an immediate answer from opponents, much like instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Fretwork Colony necessitates strategizing around its downside of inevitable life loss every upkeep. This can be particularly detrimental in games where maintaining a high life total is crucial, and there’s a lack of life-gain strategies within your deck.
Specific Mana Cost: Being a black-only card, Fretwork Colony requires a dedicated mana base which may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks or those that prioritize mana flexibility. Incorporating it into your deck demands careful consideration of your existing mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Fretwork Colony’s cost is at a reasonable two mana, the risk of life loss each turn might not align with its stated benefits, especially when compared to other two-mana creatures that offer immediate value or present less of a liability over time.
Reasons to Include Fretwork Colony in Your Collection
Versatility: Fretwork Colony is an under-the-radar pick that can slide into numerous decks, particularly those focusing on +1/+1 counters and aggressive strategies. Its ability to get stronger each upkeep makes it a growing threat that demands an answer.
Combo Potential: In combination with lifegain or damage mitigation strategies, Fretwork Colony can become a formidable force. It also interacts well with cards that give you benefits from taking damage or losing life, turning its downside into an upside.
Meta-Relevance: Given that aggressive decks often play a significant role in disrupting slower meta-game strategies, having Fretwork Colony can catch unprepared opponents off-guard. If the environment is light on early interaction, this card can quickly spiral out of control and dominate the battlefield.
How to Beat Fretwork Colony
Fretwork Colony is a unique creature card that poses a risk-reward scenario for MTG players. This card continually strengthens itself at the cost of the player’s life total with each upkeep. When facing Fretwork Colony, it’s essential to have a strategy that addresses both its growth potential and the accompanying loss of life. Removal spells are your best friends here; since the Colony isn’t hexproof or indestructible, a simple Doom Blade or Lightning Bolt can do the trick.
Alternatively, using combat tricks to surprise your opponent during attacks can be effective. Since the Colony must attack each turn if able, setting up a stronger blocker or an instant-speed trick that boosts your creature’s power can ensure a favorable trade. In terms of preemptive measures, cards like Essence Scatter can counter the Colony before it hits the battlefield, halting the threat before it starts.
Keeping a versatile removal suite in your deck is a great way to prepare for creatures like Fretwork Colony. Quick removal, counterspells, or even enchantments that pacify it can turn this growing threat into an insignificant nuisance, preserving your life total and maintaining control of the game state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fretwork Colony MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Mystery Booster, 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 Fretwork Colony 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 Fretwork Colony Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Christopher Burdett.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 83 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Burdett | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 664 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Burdett | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KLD-83 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Burdett | ||
| 4 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 90 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Burdett |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fretwork Colony has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fretwork Colony card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | You lose 1 life even if you can't put a +1/+1 counter on Fretwork Colony, perhaps because it left the battlefield in response to its triggered ability. |