Heidar, Rimewind Master MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Wizard |
| Released | 2006-07-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Coldsnap |
| Set code | CSP |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 36 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spears |
Text of card
, : Return target permanent to its owner's hand. Play this ability only if you control four or more snow permanents.
"The umber stain of the Thaw will be bleached away. Once again the world will be sharp, white, perfect!"
Cards like Heidar, Rimewind Master
Heidar, Rimewind Master stands as a unique figure among Magic: The Gathering’s array of icy manipulators. Comparable in its control to cards like Venser, Shaper Savant, Heidar provides a strategic advantage by bouncing permanents, but it favors permafrost conditions, specifically requesting that the number of snow permanents be at least four. While Venser offers flexibility in target choice and immediate impact upon casting, Heidar demands a steady build-up and a more focused deck construction to maximize its potential.
Similar to Heidar in the realm of bounce effects is Tradewind Rider. Both cards have the capability to return threats or key permanents to an opponent’s hand, but Heidar allows recurrent use within the turn so long as you have the snow lands to fuel the ability. Conversely, Capsize also offers repeatability, with its buyback cost allowing it to be a persistent nuisance. However, its mana intensity contrasts with Heidar’s conditional yet potentially cheaper activation.
When considering utility and deck synergy, Heidar, Rimewind Master necessitates a tailored approach. It may require a bit more setup than its counterparts, but it integrates well within a specialized snow-themed deck, making it a potentially potent control piece for players who favor a cold strategy.
Cards similar to Heidar, Rimewind Master by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heidar, Rimewind Master offers unique deck manipulation by returning target permanent to its owner’s hand. This ability can disrupt opponents, or recycle your own enter-the-battlefield effects, effectively increasing your hand options and consequently your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: By allowing a return of a permanent each turn, Heidar grants the ability to reuse mana artifacts or land with effects when they come into play, providing a subtle form of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: Heidar’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, affording flexibility to respond to threats or create opportunities at the most opportune times during your opponents’ turns, all the while keeping up the pace of your game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Heidar, Rimewind Master requires that you control four or more snow permanents, which can be restrictive and tax deck-building considerations, particularly in formats where snow permanents are less common or optimized.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes two blue, Heidar, Rimewind Master necessitates a heavy commitment to blue mana and may not fit as smoothly into multi-color decks that can’t consistently produce the necessary snow mana for optimal use.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a converted mana cost of five for his ability to return a permanent to its owner’s hand, Heidar could be costly compared to other bounce effects in the game, which might detract from his overall efficiency and impact in a match where tempo is crucial.
Reasons to Include Heidar, Rimewind Master in Your Collection
Versatility: Heidar, Rimewind Master presents a dynamic control element favored in cold-themed or ice-aligned decks. His ability to return permanents to owners’ hands not only resets opponents’ tactics but also offers exciting interactions with your own enter-the-battlefield effects.
Combo Potential: This commander’s talent shines when paired with cards that freeze or tap down permanents, setting up the field for a beneficial return effect. Snow mana sources propel his ability, opening up synergies with snow-based strategies and infinite combo possibilities within the right deck structure.
Meta-Relevance: With the prevalence of powerful artifacts and enchantments in the current meta, having a reusable and easily activated answer like Heidar ensures your position can be continuously adaptable. As players navigate through diverse strategies, the flexibility Heidar provides can be a decisive advantage in any matchup.
How to beat
Heidar, Rimewind Master emulates the chilly control over your opponents’ permanents by returning them to their hands. This can be a nuisance, interrupting momentum and setting up blockers or key spells for return trips to their owner’s hand. When facing Heidar, the strategic priority shifts to removing the icy grip it has on the game.
Utilizing instant speed removal or creature abilities that can target Heidar directly allows players to bypass its frozen barriers. Cards with flash can be particularly effective, as they offer the ability to play around Heidar’s ability, which requires tapping. It’s also advisable to limit the number of targets for Heidar by playing fewer permanents with high impact or by utilizing graveyard recursion that makes Heidar’s ability less relevant.
In more aggressive decks, applying early pressure forces the Heidar player to use their mana defensively, thus not leaving enough to utilize Heidar’s ability. Remember, at the end of the day, disrupting Heidar’s frigid control strategy can thaw out the game in your favor, preserving your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heidar, Rimewind Master MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Heidar, Rimewind Master 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 Heidar, Rimewind Master has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |