Thorn Thallid MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Fungus
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Thorn Thallid offers constant Saproling generation, ideal for strategies that require a recurring board presence.
  2. The creature’s ability to interact at instant speed ensures flexibility and strategic depth in gameplay.
  3. Synergizes well with token-focused cards, enhancing resource acceleration and board presence.

Text of card

During your upkeep, put a spore counter on Thorn Thallid. : Remove three spore counters from Thorn Thallid to have it deal 1 damage to any target.

"Scholars still debate whether the Thallids were truly sentient." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. III*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thorn Thallid provides a form of card advantage through its ability to create Saproling tokens each turn. Over time, these tokens can accumulate, offering a steady stream of creatures that can be used for both defensive and offensive strategies without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: The generated Saprolings from Thorn Thallid can effectively accelerate your resources, as they can be sacrificed for various effects in other cards that synergize with token creatures. Additionally, simply having more creatures on the field can lead to enhanced power through cards that benefit from a wide board presence.

Instant Speed: Thorn Thallid’s ability to put a spore counter on itself isn’t directly at instant speed, but the action of removing three spore counters to create a Saproling can be done at any time. This gives you the versatility to create a new blocker on an opponent’s turn or to unexpectedly bolster your forces right before your turn begins, catching your opponent off guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thorn Thallid does not have a discard requirement, making it free from the setbacks of having to deplete your hand to trigger abilities or effects.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires a specific combination of green mana, which might not be a perfect fit for multi-colored decks looking for seamless mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that could be seen as steep for its base stats and abilities, Thorn Thallid may not always be the go-to choice, especially when faster or more impactful options are available.


Reasons to Include Thorn Thallid in Your Collection

Versatility: Thorn Thallid offers diverse options for deck builders with its ability to progressively deal damage, representing a threat in decks focusing on counters and passive damage strategies.

Combo Potential: As part of a deck that manipulates +1/+1 counters, Thorn Thallid can serve as a consistent damage source or be combined with proliferate mechanics to enhance its impact, making it a silent but deadly force on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where small creature removal is common, Thorn Thallid finds its place. It can chip away at an opponent’s life total or control pesky creatures, which could prove to be a crucial advantage in the right deck configuration.


How to Beat Thorn Thallid

Thorn Thallid, from the Fallen Empires set, presents a unique challenge in MTG. This creature comes with an ability that allows it to chip away at opponents by removing spore counters to deal damage. Beating this card requires a strategic approach. Since it operates on a timer, the key is removing it before it accumulates enough counters to be a threat.

Effective strategies include utilizing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size, like Doom Blade or Path to Exile. Intervention before the spore counters grow too numerous can save you from a slow defeat. Another tactic is to employ creatures with the “First Strike” attribute, which can defeat Thorn Thallid in combat before it gets a chance to use its ability. Alternatively, you can use board wipes, such as Wrath of God, to clear the field of all creatures, including those with pesky abilities like that of Thorn Thallid.

In summary, prompt removal, strategic combat techniques, and comprehensive board control are key to overcoming the pernicious effects of Thorn Thallid in your MTG games.


Cards like Thorn Thallid

Thorn Thallid offers a unique blend of abilities in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It finds kinship with cards like Fungal Behemoth, both drawing from the lore-rich category of Thallids – fungal entities known for their spore counters. Fungal Behemoth leverages these counters for a power boost, while Thorn Thallid uses them as ammunition to pick off creatures, giving players a more direct influence on the board state.

Another relative in this spore-slinging family is Psychotrope Thallid. This particular card diverges in utility by focusing on card draw instead of direct removal, yet it maintains the iconic spore counter mechanic. Moreover, Savage Thallid provides a different avenue of utilizing these counters by granting regeneration to other creatures. Each of these plays a distinct role while preserving the thematic cohesiveness.

Ultimately, the judicious use of Thorn Thallid can be a deciding factor in games. Its capacity to eliminate key creatures while still advancing your fungal forces marks it as an intriguing option among its counterparts, balancing offensive capabilities with the thematic allure that engulfs the Thallid tribe in MTG.

Fungal Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Psychotrope Thallid - MTG Card versions
Savage Thallid - MTG Card versions
Fungal Behemoth - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Psychotrope Thallid - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Savage Thallid - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Cards similar to Thorn Thallid by color, type and mana cost

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Wood Elves - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
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)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)
Brindle Boar - Magic 2011 (M11)
Wood Elves - New Capenna Commander (NCC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thorn Thallid MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, 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 Thorn Thallid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thorn Thallid Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 80d1993normalblackMark Tedin
21994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 80b1993normalblackHeather Hudson
31994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 80c1993normalblackJesper Myrfors
41994-11-01Fallen EmpiresFEM 80a1993normalblackDaniel Gelon
52007-09-10Masters EditionME1 1351997normalblackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thorn Thallid has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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