Frostfist Strider MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Giant |
| Abilities | Ward |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 51 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Francisco Miyara |
Text of card
Ward (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .) When Frostfist Strider enters the battlefield, tap target creature an opponent controls and put a stun counter on it. (If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, remove one from it instead.)
Cards like Frostfist Strider
Frostfist Strider introduces a cool twist in the pool of creature cards, standing tall with its affinity for snowy domains. It echoes the frosty capabilities of other creatures like Rimebound Dead with its ice-solid connection to snow-covered lands which allows it to become virtually unblockable. However, Frostfist Strider doesn’t require any mana to boast this skill, unlike Rimebound Dead that demands a single black mana for each activation of its ability to become untapped.
Another creature that players may find similar is Boreal Centaur. With the same snow synergy, this creature offers one strength and two toughness for two mana and an icy ability that requires a tap plus one snow mana to grant it the power to overcome blockers for the turn. Frostfist Strider, conversely, gives a taller frame and demands no additional mana to use its ability, ensuring unblocked hits more economically. Avalanche Caller can also be mentioned in this frosty lineup, capable of turning any snow land into a 4/4 elemental creature, although this is a temporary transformation unlike the permanent evasion provided by Frostfist Strider.
Ultimately, Frostfist Strider’s seamless blend of cost-efficiency and self-reliance makes it a contender. Its innate evasion and reasonable stats secure a solid place within the ranks of frost-infused creatures in the realm of MTG strategies.
Cards similar to Frostfist Strider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Frostfist Strider comes with the potential to create card advantage in the late game. Its ability provides extra leverage when you are in need of more options, keeping your hand full and ready to confront whatever lies on the other side of the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This creature card can be an engine for resource acceleration in decks that capitalize on the prowess of snow permanents. Able to untap lands that generate extra mana, Frostfist Strider can help you ramp into more significant threats quickly, ensuring you stay a step ahead of your competition.
Instant Speed: While Frostfist Strider itself may not be an instant, its ability to untap a snow land comes with the versatility to be used at instant speed, providing tactical flexibility. This means you can keep mana open to respond to opponents’ actions and still get a benefit if no immediate threats materialize, thus optimizing your mana usage each turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Frostfist Strider compels players to discard a card to exercise its ability. This requirement can backfire when a player’s hand is nearly empty or when every card available is vital for their overarching strategy, leaving players in a dilemma.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Frostfist Strider requires a rigid combination of mana types that could restrict its inclusion in decks. Players might struggle to meet the exacting mana demands in multicolored decks or those with an unstable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As Frostfist Strider falls into a higher mana cost bracket, players may find themselves weighing its benefits against other potential plays. There could be cheaper creatures with similar or better effects, making the competition stiff for a slot in your deck.
Reasons to Include Frostfist Strider in Your Collection
Versatility: Frostfist Strider is well-suited for decks that capitalize on creatures with tap abilities. Its capability to enable surprise blocks or attacks makes it a flexible addition to any collector’s assortment.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in synergistic plays, coupling nicely with cards that benefit from untapping mechanics or that trigger effects when creatures become tapped.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where tempo and board control are vital, Frostfist Strider can offer the strategic edge needed against opponents, adapting swiftly to the evolving gameplay dynamics.
How to beat
Frostfist Strider steps into the snowy battlefield of Magic: The Gathering with a chilling presence. Its most notable feature is the defensive boon that it provides in battle. Equipped with the ability to tap target creatures an opponent controls, it skews combat encounters in your favor significantly. To combat the freezing stride of Frostfist Strider, it is crucial to employ a strategy that focuses on removal or suppression before it can leverage its tapping ability.
Playing cards that negate activations or abilities can be a strong countermeasure. Cards like Pithing Needle or Linvala, Keeper of Silence disrupt the cardinal functioning of Frostfist Strider, rendering it just a block of ice on the battlefield. Additionally, instants such as Shock or Fatal Push offer a swift response to eliminate the Strider before it starts to dictate the flow of combat. These forms of direct removal ensure that you maintain control, preventing Frostfist Strider from ever locking down your forces.
Ultimately, preventing Frostfist Strider from freezing your tactical advances boils down to timely disruption and efficient removal. By staying one step ahead, you can melt away the challenges it poses and keep the board under your dominion.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Frostfist Strider MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Frostfist Strider 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Frostfist Strider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frostfist Strider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Abilities that trigger when a permanent “becomes untapped” won’t trigger if a stun counter is removed instead. |
| 2022-09-09 | If a permanent has more than one stun counter on it, only one will be removed each time it would become untapped. |
| 2022-09-09 | If a tapped permanent with a stun counter on it would become untapped, a stun counter will be removed from it instead. This is a replacement effect. |
| 2022-09-09 | If untapping a permanent is part of a cost (such as that of Halo Fountain’s first ability), you may pay that cost by “untapping” a tapped permanent with a stun counter on it. The stun counter will be removed and the creature will remain tapped. However, the cost will still be paid. |
| 2022-09-09 | Stun counters replace untapping for any reason, including players untapping tapped permanents during their untap steps. |
| 2022-09-09 | You may choose a creature that is already tapped as the target of Frostfist Strider’s last ability. |