Frostwalk Bastion MTG Card
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Snow Land |
| Released | 2019-06-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Modern Horizons |
| Set code | MH1 |
| Number | 240 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jedd Chevrier |
Key Takeaways
- Frostwalk Bastion streamlines resource management, transforming into a creature without losing card advantage.
- Its instant speed activation allows for flexible combat tricks and unexpected plays.
- Requires strategic deck building around snow lands to optimize its unique capabilities.
Text of card
: Add . {S}: Until end of turn, Frostwalk Bastion becomes a 2/3 Construct artifact creature. It's still a land. ({S} can be paid with one mana from a snow permanent.) Whenever Frostwalk Bastion deals combat damage to a creature, tap that creature and it doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Frostwalk Bastion doesn’t directly provide card drawing abilities, but it offers strategic board control. Once activated, it becomes a creature granting you an additional asset on the field without depleting cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a land, Frostwalk Bastion contributes to your mana pool the moment it hits the battlefield. This ensures you’re advancing your resources each turn. Moreover, the card can transform into a creature without costing you a card, further accelerating your board presence.
Instant Speed: Activating Frostwalk Bastion’s ability to become a creature can be done at instant speed. This permits surprise blocks or an unexpected additional attacker during your turn, making it a flexible option during various phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Frostwalk Bastion doesn’t explicitly require a discard, it does necessitate having a snow land to activate its abilities. This can be restrictive as it demands specific deck building around snow lands, potentially leading to a suboptimal mana base just to leverage this card’s benefits.
Specific Mana Cost: To successfully utilize Frostwalk Bastion, your mana pool needs to include snow mana. This can be a stumbling block for players who are not running a snow-themed deck, essentially making the card a less favorable choice for standard land-based strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Activating Frostwalk Bastion’s transformation into a creature comes at the cost of one snow mana and one other generic mana. This cost, combined with its initial land drop, could be seen as steep for a card that only becomes a 2/3 creature with deathtouch. Considering the pace of many MTG games, there may be more efficient uses for such resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Frostwalk Bastion offers utility as both land and creature, adapting to various in-game situations. Its ability to become a 2/3 creature with just a mana investment can turn the tide in games, especially in decks that utilize snow mechanics or require defensive options.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with decks that capitalize on snow permanents. Being a mana source that can turn into a creature, it has the potential to work well with cards that benefit from the number of creatures you control or the number of snow permanents in play.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where land versatility is crucial, Frostwalk Bastion stands out by providing an additional layer of defense while contributing to your mana pool. In formats where games may stall, having a land that can become a blocker or an attacker can be a significant advantage.
How to beat Frostwalk Bastion
Frostwalk Bastion is a unique Snow land in the world of Magic: The Gathering that can turn into a formidable 2/3 creature with vigilance until end of turn. To effectively challenge this card, players should consider land destruction or direct removal options. Cards like Field of Ruin allow players to target and destroy Frostwalk Bastion while simultaneously fetching a new land, ensuring you don’t fall behind on your own mana base.
Another reliable strategy is to use instant-speed removal spells during your opponent’s turn to ensure Frostwalk Bastion doesn’t become a blocker or an attacker. Instant spells like Abrade or Assassin’s Trophy provide flexibility and can deal with the Bastion even when it’s animated as a creature. It’s also wise to be cautious with combat maths; with vigilance, the Bastion can unexpectedly bolster your opponent’s defenses while contributing to their offensive line.
In summary, disrupting your opponent’s mana resources and staying ready with instant-speed interaction are your best methods to navigate against the icy resilience of Frostwalk Bastion, especially when your opponent has the means to activate this versatile land.
Cards like Frostwalk Bastion
Frostwalk Bastion adds an intriguing layer to the family of land cards in MTG. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other lands like Mutavault, which can also become a creature. However, Frostwalk Bastion has the unique nuance of not only becoming a 2/3 creature with vigilance but also freezing opponents’ creatures, creating strategic blockades. Unlike Mutavault, the Bastion can’t attack but its defensive capabilities can shift combat outcomes.
Following the icy trail, we notice cards like Ice-Fang Coatl, that incorporate Frostwalk Bastion’s chilling impact. While Coatl swoops in with flying and card draw, it requires careful deck construction to enable deathtouch. The Bastion’s ability to tap down creatures after becoming a creature itself can be quite advantageous, especially since it doesn’t require colored mana.
In assessing the strategic value of Frostwalk Bastion amongst similar MTG cards, one acknowledges its unique asset in managing battlefield threats. It’s both a defensive mechanism and a potential game-changer, being able to block and disable key creatures. It’s a card that, while not as aggressive as some of its kindred, contends with a subtler and potentially more surprising approach to board control.
Cards similar to Frostwalk Bastion by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Frostwalk Bastion MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons, 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 Frostwalk Bastion 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 Frostwalk Bastion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frostwalk Bastion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-06-14 | A creature dealt combat damage by Frostwalk Bastion won’t untap during its controller’s next untap step, even if it was already tapped and even if Frostwalk Bastion leaves the battlefield before then. |
| 2019-06-14 | If you turn Frostwalk Bastion into a creature but haven’t controlled it continuously since your most recent turn began, you won’t be able to activate its mana ability or attack with it. |
