Martyr of Frost MTG Card

Martyr of Frost provides instant speed control by countering spells with a blue card reveal. While versatile in blue decks, it requires discarding, which may deplete valuable hand resources. Despite limitations, its counter ability and low mana cost make it a strategic inclusion.

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number H17

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number H5

Coldsnap (CSP)
2006-07-21 - Number 40

Martyr of Frost - Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra (DD2)

Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra (DD2)
2008-11-07 - Number 2

Martyr of Frost - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)

Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
2014-12-05 - Number 2

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Power	1
Toughness	1

Text of card

, Reveal X blue cards from your hand, Sacrifice Martyr of Frost: Counter target spell unless its controller pays .

Cards like Martyr of Frost

Martyr of Frost ushers in an intriguing dynamic within the roster of blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering. As a counterpart to cards like Spellstutter Sprite, this creature can also disrupt the opponent’s plan. While Spellstutter Sprite requires you to have faeries to dictate the spell’s counter level, Martyr of Frost simply asks for a card from your hand to reveal, granting it more flexibility.

Looking at another comparable card, Merfolk Looter offers a different kind of utility. It allows for card filtering rather than direct interaction with an adversary’s spells. Although Merfolk Looter can’t counter spells, it aids in drawing and discarding to sculpt the perfect hand. Then we have Cursecatcher, which, similar to Martyr of Frost, can counter an enemy spell. Unlike Martyr of Frost, Cursecatcher’s ability is confined to only targeting noncreature spells and comes without the need to reveal other cards.

Wrapping up, Martyr of Frost stands its ground amidst alternatives due to its capability to counter any spell at the cost of a single revealed card. This makes it a versatile choice for players looking to add control elements to their decks without being heavily reliant on specific card types or board states.

Cards similar to Martyr of Frost by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Martyr of Frost, you gain an edge by potentially disrupting your opponent’s plays. Although it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to influence the battlefield by selectively paying for its ability offers a form of advantage by effectively countering key threats.

Resource Acceleration: While Martyr of Frost doesn’t produce additional mana or tokens, it serves as a cost-effective way to exert control. Its presence on the board can accelerate your strategic position without needing to commit large resources for typical control spells.

Instant Speed: Martyr of Frost’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn. This instant action can tip the scales in your favor by providing a reactionary tool that can be utilized at a moment’s notice, preserving the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Martyr of Frost necessitates discarding a blue card as part of its activated ability. This demand can put you at a disadvantage, especially in situations where your hand is already depleted or if it contains high-value cards you’d prefer to keep.

Specific Mana Cost: The Martyr requires a single blue mana to play. While not necessarily expensive, this does bind it to blue-centered decks, potentially limiting the card’s versatility in multicolored or non-blue decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the combined investment of both playing Martyr of Frost and activating its ability, the total cost may be seen as high for the benefit of purely countering a spell. There are alternative counterspells in MTG that can be activated without the additional requirement of discarding a card, possibly making them a more appealing choice for a deck’s strategy.

Reasons to Include Martyr of Frost in Your Collection

Versatility: Martyr of Frost plays well in decks that favor instant and sorcery spells. Its ability to counter unwanted spells by merely revealing a blue card offers flexibility in controlling the flow of the game.

Combo Potential: The ability to discard a blue card to counter spells opens up synergies in decks designed around spell manipulation or graveyard strategies, making it a valuable combo piece in the right setup.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where instant-speed interaction is crucial, Martyr of Frost holds its ground by providing an inexpensive and tactical response to opponents’ moves, helping you to maintain tempo and dictate the pace.

How to beat

Martyr of Frost is a unique creature in the MTG universe, offering blue magic players a clever way to disrupt opponents’ strategies. With its ability to counter any spell unless its controller pays one extra mana for each blue mana revealed, Martyr of Frost can be a real roadblock. To navigate past this icy hindrance successfully, deploying low-cost, aggressive creatures early in the game helps to pressure the Martyr before it can effectively use its ability.

Another efficient tactic involves prioritizing the removal of creatures. By casting spells when your opponent is tapped out, you minimize the potential impact of Martyr of Frost’s counter ability. Additionally, consider including cards in your deck that can bypass the Martyr’s defense, such as spells with uncounterable properties or abilities that can directly eliminate the Martyr without the use of the stack.

In essence, while Martyr of Frost may pose a challenge with its cold deceit, a well-tuned aggressive strategy, mindful resource management, and the inclusion of spells that can sidestep its frigid threat will allow you to maintain a warm lead in the battle for the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Martyr of Frost MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Salvat 2005, 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 Martyr of Frost and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Martyr of Frost Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Wayne England.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	H17	2003	Normal	White	Wayne England
2	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	H5	2003	Normal	White	Wayne England
3	2006-07-21	Coldsnap	CSP	40	2003	Normal	Black	Wayne England
4	2008-11-07	Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra	DD2	2	2003	Normal	Black	Wayne England
5	2014-12-05	Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra	JVC	2	2015	Normal	Black	Wayne England

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Martyr of Frost has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Martyr of Frost card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2006-07-15	A card that’s already revealed for another cost or because of an effect can be revealed to pay this cost.
2006-07-15	Each card that’s revealed to pay the cost remains revealed until the ability leaves the stack.
2006-07-15	If one of the cards that’s revealed to pay the cost leaves its owner’s hand before the ability resolves, it stops being revealed, but the value of X is not affected.