Scion of Glaciers MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Released | 2014-09-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Khans of Tarkir |
| Set code | KTK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 53 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Titus Lunter |
Key Takeaways
- Scion of Glaciers’ instant speed power increase offers strategic combat and spell responses.
- Demands high mana investment and stringent color requirements for optimal play.
- Its adaptability makes it a versatile fit in various blue-centric strategies.
Text of card
: Scion of Glaciers gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
"There is nothing so free as the spring river born of winter's ice." —Nitula, the Hunt Caller
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scion of the Glaciers offers strategic deck building options, bringing value to the table by enabling synergies with cards that benefit from power modifications. Though it doesn’t draw cards directly, its presence can translate into card quality advantage by bolstering your creatures on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of resource acceleration, the adaptability of Scion of Glaciers can contribute to your game’s tempo. By efficiently managing your mana pool, you can potentially outpace your opponent by choosing when to boost its power, leading to quicker and more powerful attacks or defenses.
Instant Speed: The ability to modify Scion of Glaciers at instant speed offers a tactical advantage. In response to combat or spells, the power boost can surprise opponents, potentially thwarting their strategies and tipping the scales in combat encounters favorably for you.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scion of Glaciers lacks an innate discard mechanism, and in specific deck builds, failing to utilize discard synergies can make it an underwhelming choice compared to creatures that capitalize on such interactions or offer additional value.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a strict blue mana commitment, demanding two blue mana out of its total cost. This can be restrictive for multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently produce the necessary blue mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two blue, Scion of Glaciers can be a considerable investment in the early to mid-game. This can prove to be inefficient when other creatures at similar or lower mana costs offer more impactful effects or stronger board presence.
Reasons to Include Scion of Glaciers in Your Collection
Versatility: Scion of Glaciers can easily adapt to various blue-centric strategies. As a creature that can alter its power and toughness on the fly, it fits into decks focusing on dynamic board states and those that might benefit from a creature that’s responsive to changing in-game circumstances.
Combo Potential: This creature can be a critical component in combos involving power and toughness modifications. It’s also a prime candidate for decks that utilize +1/+1 counters or those aiming to capitalize on creatures with activated abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Scion of Glaciers holds its ground as a dependable blocker or attacker. Its ability to become a larger threat at instant speed can be a game-changer against aggressive or tempo decks seeking to dominate the battlefield.
How to Beat Scion of the Glaciers
Scion of the Glaciers brings a unique dimension to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to increase its power and toughness. This blue creature allows players to spend mana to give it a temporary power boost, a reflection of its glacial might. While formidable, it’s essential to remember that its strength lies in the resources devoted to it. One strategic approach to overcoming the Scion is by limiting your opponent’s mana with cards that constrain their mana pool or counter their spells, leaving the Scion’s abilities unused.
Maintain battlefield control with removal spells. Instant spells that destroy or return a creature to its owner’s hand are particularly effective against creatures like Scion of the Glaciers, which require a mana investment for each power increase. By timing these spells after your opponent has invested in powering up the Scion, you can negate their efforts and turn the tide. Additionally, employing creatures with protection from blue can nullify the Scion’s attacks, providing a robust defensive line that can stave off this icy titan.
To sum up, by applying pressure on their resources and incorporating specific control elements, players can adeptly navigate against a Scion of the Glaciers and ensure their dominance in the game.
Cards like Scion of Glaciers
Scion of Glaciers brings a unique set of attributes to the battlefield in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other creatures that allow for flexibility in power and toughness, such as Frost Lynx. While Frost Lynx can tap a creature when it enters the battlefield, Scion of Glaciers stands out with the ability to pay mana to increase its toughness, making it a formidable blocker.
Another creature worth comparing is Merfolk Wayfinder, which also provides a boost in toughness. However, Scion of Glaciers offers the added versatility of being able to choose when to strengthen itself, unlike Merfolk Wayfinder that depends on an entering the battlefield effect. Additionally, creatures like Nimbus Naiad also grant abilities through Bestow and can fly, though they lack the repeatable toughness boosting feature that Scion maintains.
In the realm of variable creatures, Scion of Glaciers stands out for its repeatable and on-demand adjustment of toughness. Its adaptability in play makes it a solid choice for defensive strategies and those looking to maintain a strong board presence throughout the game.
Cards similar to Scion of Glaciers by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scion of Glaciers MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Scion of Glaciers and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scion of Glaciers 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
