Anurid Swarmsnapper MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Frog Beast
Abilities	Reach
Released	2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set name	Judgment
Set code	JUD
Power	1
Toughness	4
Number	105
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	John Matson

Key Takeaways

Anurid Swarmsnapper excels in blocking flyers, enhancing defensive strategies within green decks.
Moderate casting cost and instant speed activation offer tactical flexibility in gameplay.
While it’s strong against flyers, it’s important to strategize against non-flying threats.

Text of card

Anurid Swarmsnapper may block as though it had flying. o1o G: Anurid Swarmsnapper may block an additional creature this turn.

Anurids have the problem of airborne invaders licked.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Enhancing card utility, Anurid Swarmsnapper can efficiently block multiple flying creatures each turn without being tapped, potentially saving other cards in play or cards in hand for strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: With a moderate casting cost, Anurid Swarmsnapper serves as a sturdy presence on the board, establishing a defensive line early on and maintaining resources for pivotal game moments.

Instant Speed: Its ability to be activated at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to threats at a moment’s notice, preserving the element of surprise and allowing for tactical advantage during the complexity of combat phases.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Anurid Swarmsnapper doesn’t specifically require a discard, but as a player, using additional resources to fortify its utility might lead to a lighter hand than desirable.

Specific Mana Cost: This Garruk’s Companion comes with a mana cost that includes green, which might not be compatible with all deck strategies, especially those not focused on green mana production.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: This creature’s casting cost and additional ability activation could be seen as a high investment, especially when you’re seeking to establish a presence on the board quickly. Other creatures may provide better value or lower casting costs with similar or superior defensive capabilities.

Reasons to Include Anurid Swarmsnapper in Your Collection

Versatility: Anurid Swarmsnapper, a sturdy green creature, comes with the unique flexibility of being able to block flying creatures. This allows it to be an effective defensive addition to decks that traditionally struggle against airborne threats.

Combo Potential: Its ability to gain reach until end of turn for just one green mana offers synergy with effects that untap creatures or with strategies that are built around activating abilities numerous times within a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: With flyers being a consistent presence in various MTG formats, Anurid Swarmsnapper provides a practical solution that could earn a spot in sideboards or even main decks depending on your local game environment.

How to beat

Addressing the challenge presented by Anurid Swarmsnapper in MTG can be a pivotal moment for players relying on flying creatures. Renowned for its ability to block any number of such creatures, this card becomes a substantial wall, deflecting aerial assaults with ease. Importantly, it’s essential to recognize that while powerful in its niche, the Anurid Swarmsnapper’s utility is confined. Its lack of offensive power and specialization against fliers make it vulnerable on other fronts.

Overcoming the Swarmsnapper may involve strategies like deploying ground-based threats that can sidestep the Swarmsnapper’s defensive stance. Utilizing removal spells that don’t target, such as Wrath of God or global enchantments like Pestilence, can clear the field including this troublesome blocker without engaging its blocking ability. Alternatively, you could employ effects that neutralize the card’s abilities, such as those that tap it down or prevent it from blocking. Reducing its toughness to zero will also send it to the graveyard, outside of its comfort zone in intercepting fliers.

Ultimately, handling this card is a matter of shifting your tactics, offering strategies that the Anurid Swarmsnapper isn’t equipped to handle. With the right approach, this impressive defender can be effectively mitigated, allowing your strategy to take flight once more.

Cards like Anurid Swarmsnapper

Anurid Swarmsnapper occupies a unique niche within Magic: The Gathering as a creature that stands out in green’s arsenal of defenders. This card shares the defender trait with creatures like Wall of Vines, an obvious parallel for its low cost and blocking capabilities. Yet, Anurid Swarmsnapper has an edge thanks to its ability to block flyers, providing a defensive option against pesky airborne threats – a task Wall of Vines falls short on.

Exploring further, Spore Frog draws comparison, being another green creature of low mana cost. While it doesn’t boast the ability to block flying creatures, Spore Frog offers a full combat prevention effect, but this effect sacrifices itself, unlike the recurring defense provided by Anurid Swarmsnapper. Looking at Traproot Kami, we find it can block flyers, much like our Swarmsnapper, and its toughness scales with the number of Forests you control, potentially outclassing our Anurid’s static defense stat.

Ultimately, Anurid Swarmsnapper makes its mark in green’s defensive lineup with its flying interception ability and could serve as a solid pick for decks needing an affordable defense against aerial assaults.

Traproot Kami - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Cards similar to Anurid Swarmsnapper by color, type and mana cost

Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions

Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions

Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)

Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)

Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)

Yavimaya Elder - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anurid Swarmsnapper MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Anurid Swarmsnapper and other MTG cards: