Glacial Crevasses MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 187
2008-09-22 - Number 127
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
: Sacrifice a snow-covered mountain. No creatures deal damage in combat this turn.
"We were chasing Lim-Dûl when the ridge in front of us suddenly crumbled. I can't believe it was mere coincidence." —Lucilde Fiksdotter, Leader of the Order of the White Shield
Cards like Glacial Crevasses
Glacial Crevasses adds strategic depth to red’s control in the game, being akin to other land-based defensive cards like Sunstone. Both cards allow a player to prevent damage by sacrificing a land, though Sunstone is not color-restricted, allowing for greater versatility in deck building. The distinction lies in Glacial Crevasses requiring snow-covered mountains specifically, which can limit deck compatibility but is perfect for synergizing with snow-themed strategies.
Another relative is Constant Mists, presenting a recurring defensive option through its buyback ability. While Constant Mists offers a more sustainable protection method compared to the one-time use of Glacial Crevasses, the latter doesn’t require the same ongoing mana investment. Maze of Ith is also noteworthy, as it functions similarly by preventing combat damage, even though it doesn’t require the sacrifice of lands and has no maintenance cost but also doesn’t contribute mana to a player’s pool.
Assessing Glacial Crevasses within the realm of defensive MTG cards, it’s clear that while it carries deck building constraints and a sacrifice requirement, its ability to turn the very lands into shields makes it uniquely positioned, especially in snow-themed decks that benefit from this kind of utility.
Cards similar to Glacial Crevasses by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Glacial Crevasses doesn’t directly offer card drawing options, but by saving your creatures from potential threats, it effectively keeps your hand full and maintains your presence on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This red enchantment does not accelerate mana resources per se. However, its low casting cost integrates smoothly into your mana curve, allowing for a quick establishment of board control while saving resources to play other cards.
Instant Speed: Glacial Crevasses operates at instant speed, providing flexibility. It grants the ability to react swiftly to combat scenarios, which could tip the scales in your favor without the need for a dedicated instant spell in hand, thereby preserving your momentum.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Glacial Crevasses is that it requires you to discard a snow-covered mountain to activate its ability. This condition can be unfavorable when you’re in a tight situation with limited cards in hand, as it further depletes your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a requirement for red mana in its casting cost, which means it fits primarily into red or red-inclusive decks. Players running multicolor decks without red might find it challenging to include Glacial Crevasses, thus restricting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two red mana and one colorless, Glacial Crevasses sits at a higher point on the mana curve for its defensive effect. Considering other cards in MTG that can provide defense or board control at a lower cost, some players may opt for those options for efficiency in mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Glacial Crevasses in Your Collection
Versatility: Glacial Crevasses offers flexibility in red-based control or mid-range builds. It can disrupt combat strategies by saving crucial creatures or stalling opponents’ attacks, fitting well into decks that prioritize survival and incremental advantages.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergy with land untapping mechanics and damage-based board wipes. It enables selective protection of your own creatures while clearing the board, or can be used in conjunction with land recursion for ongoing control.
Meta-Relevance: Against aggressive decks that flood the battlefield, Glacial Crevasses serves as a key defensive tool. It’s particularly relevant in metas rampant with creature-based strategies, providing you with the power to navigate through combat-centric games more strategically.
How to beat
Glacial Crevasses is an intriguing red enchantment from Magic: The Gathering that allows players to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt by creatures attacking them. This is accomplished by sacrificing a snow-covered mountain, ensuring that no harm comes your way during that turn. As intimidating as it sounds, there are several strategies to overcome this card’s icy grip on the battlefield.
One efficient approach is playing enchantment removal cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize to directly destroy Glacial Crevasses. Alternatively, you can use counterspells to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. It’s important to note that Glacial Crevasses requires snow-covered mountains. Thus, land destruction or transformation spells that target the opponent’s mana base can be extremely effective in disabling this enchantment’s activation condition.
Moreover, including cards that can bypass the combat phase, such as those dealing direct damage or using abilities that cause loss of life, can render Glacial Crevasses ineffective. By incorporating different angles of attack into your strategy, you can confidently navigate around this chilling obstacle and lead your deck to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Glacial Crevasses MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Glacial Crevasses 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 Glacial Crevasses Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Mike Raabe.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 187 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 127 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Raabe |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Glacial Crevasses has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |