Slith Strider MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 50
2012-03-30 - Number 9
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Slith |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Slith Strider ensures consistent card draw and potential mana ramp, crucial for maintaining game momentum.
- Instant speed casting provides strategic flexibility, allowing players to adapt to shifting game states.
- Its demand for specific mana and discard requirement may hinder its inclusion in diverse MTG decks.
Text of card
Whenever Slith Strider becomes blocked, draw a card. Whenever Slith Strider deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
A slith's form and function are determined by the color of the sun under which it's born.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Slith Strider enables you to smoothly sift through your deck while replacing itself in hand. This feature is especially valuable when trying to maintain momentum against your opponents, as it helps ensure you never run out of options.
Resource Acceleration: If Slith Strider’s conditions are met, it can effectively ramp up your resources, allowing you to bring impactful creatures and spells into play earlier than usual. This acceleration can give you a substantial edge, especially in games where tempo is crucial.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Slith Strider at instant speed is a significant tactical advantage. It allows you to react to your opponent’s moves while keeping your mana open for other strategies, making it a versatile tool in every stage of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Slith Strider comes with a catch that might deter players as it necessitates discarding a card upon casting. For those who already have a stretched hand, losing an additional card could set them back, impeding their game plan and reducing their options on future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: A glance at Slith Strider’s mana cost highlights a constraint; it requires a precise combination of mana to play. This necessity can hamstring deck-building, only fitting seamlessly into decks already flush with blue and black mana sources. Those running multicolour decks or lacking a mana-fixing strategy might find Slith Strider a cumbersome addition.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated against other creature cards in the same mana range, Slith Strider’s cost efficiency comes into question. Although its abilities may be enticing, there are alternative creatures offering comparable—or greater—benefits for a lesser investment of mana resources. Veteran players might rebuff the Strider for these more economically cast creatures, especially in competitive formats where every mana point counts.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Slith Strider slips easily into various deck archetypes, adapting to strategies that favor evasion and incremental growth. Its inherent ability to strengthen itself with every hit makes it a consistent threat on the board.
Combo Potential: The card’s natural synergy with +1/+1 counters paves the way for powerful interactions. Pairing it with cards that manipulate counters can quickly escalate its power level, turning it into a formidable force in the game.
Meta-Relevance: With a shifting MTG landscape, Slith Strider holds its own by contending well against several popular deck styles. Its agility and resilience can tilt duels in your favor, especially in environments where unblocked attackers can be pivotal.
How to beat
Slith Strider is an intriguing element in the arsenal of blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It weaves its way into the game with evasive abilities, yet there exist several strategies to mitigate its impact. The card thrives on connecting with a player to amass +1/+1 counters, which means that any creature with a sturdy defense can stonewall its advances. A simple blocking tactic can significantly diminish the threat of this cephalid.
Spot removal spells are another effective measure against Slith Strider. Since it doesn’t have inherent protection, a well-timed Path to Exile or Fatal Push can easily clear it from the board before it becomes too cumbersome to handle. Moreover, countering it upon cast ensures it never gets an opportunity to slip through the cracks. Evolving games to focus on non-creature spells can also leave the Slith Strider stranded without a way to grow in strength, emphasizing the importance of versatile deck construction.
In essence, a combination of defensive measures, targeted removal, and strategic game progression can suppress the potential of Slith Strider in a Magic: The Gathering match, transforming it from a looming threat to an easily solvable puzzle on the board.
Cards like Slith Strider
Slith Strider enters the scene of Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature with attributes reminiscent of other Slith creatures. Like its kin, such as Slith Firewalker or Slith Bloodletter, it benefits from landing successful combat damage on a player, marking a gain in power through the accumulation of +1/+1 counters. However, Slith Strider departs from this common trait by focusing on a blue mana environment, granting it the potential for unblockability when equipped with proper artifacts or spells.
Another card that echoes this gradual growth is Managorger Hydra. While the Hydra grows from any spell cast, Slith Strider’s growth is contingent on direct combat with an opponent, making it a bit more restrictive. Yet, both rise in threat level the longer they remain on the battlefield. Comparatively, Slith Strider requires a tactical approach, emphasizing evasion and player interaction.
Evaluating the dynamics of creature-based strategies in MTG, Slith Strider offers an intriguing option for players favoring combat and incremental advantages. It finds its niche within decks that capitalize on unblockable or evasive creatures and can become a formidable force if left unchecked by opponents.
Cards similar to Slith Strider by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slith Strider MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Slith Strider 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 Magic products
Printings
The Slith Strider Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2012-03-30. Illustrated by Justin Sweet.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 50 | 2003 | normal | black | Justin Sweet | |
| 2 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 9 | 2003 | normal | black | Justin Sweet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slith Strider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
