Wall of Frost MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Wall
Abilities Defender
Power 0
Toughness 7

Key Takeaways

  1. Wall of Frost provides card advantage by neutralizing threats without depleting your hand.
  2. It supports resource planning by allowing mana investment elsewhere while maintaining defense.
  3. Instant-speed spell flexibility is heightened with Wall of Frost securing your battlefield.

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Whenever Wall of Frost blocks a creature, that creature doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.

"I welcome it. The pasture is cleared of weeds and the wolves are frozen solid." —Lumi, goatherd


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the ability to deter opponent attacks, Wall of Frost effectively offers card advantage by negating potential threats without the loss of any cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly produce mana or accelerate resources, Wall of Frost allows you to commit mana to developing your board without worrying about leaving defenses down, indirectly supporting your long-term resource planning.

Instant Speed: While Wall of Frost itself isn’t an instant, its defensive nature pairs excellently with instant-speed spells. It holds the fort while you’re free to use your instants with greater flexibility during the opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wall of Frost doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, but it’s often paired with blue spells that do. This means you may face situations where playing this card constrains your hand, forcing you to choose between holding onto it or playing another card that requires you to discard.

Specific Mana Cost: The Wall of Frost requires both generic and blue mana, which can be restrictive for multicolored decks that might have a more challenging time generating the required blue mana consistently, especially early in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two blue, Wall of Frost is a relatively expensive option for an early-game defender. There are other creatures and spells available at a lower cost that can also provide a reliable defense, leaving more mana available for other strategies and plays.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wall of Frost is a formidable defender that can be included in a variety of blue-based control decks. Its ability to neutralize any attacker without destruction makes it a solid choice in multiple match-ups.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with effects that capitalize on tapping or freezing creatures, potentially turning a defensive wall into a strategic asset.

Meta-Relevance: With a format that heavily features aggressive creature strategies, Wall of Frost provides a reliable line of defense, slowing down opponents and shaping the pace of the game.


How to beat

Wall of Frost is a formidable defensive card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to stop attackers in their tracks. Its unique ability freezes creatures that clash with it, making it an excellent deterrent. Furthermore, with a sturdy body of 0/7, it can withstand a significant amount of damage, which can make it seem almost impregnable.

To effectively break through Wall of Frost, consider cards that bypass its ability. Removal spells that don’t rely on combat, such as Path to Exile or Terminate, can eliminate the Wall without triggering its effect. Alternatively, flying or unblockable creatures can soar over or slip past the Wall, negating its defensive strength. Another strategy involves using spells that force the opponent to sacrifice a creature, which circumvents Wall of Frost’s defensive ability since it does not involve combat.

Ultimately, while Wall of Frost can seem overwhelming to confront, with the right plan and card choices, players can find efficient ways to overcome this icy barrier, keeping the path to victory clear.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Wall of Frost is crucial for any MTG enthusiast aiming to enhance their gameplay. If you’re considering incorporating this icy barrier into your deck, remember its potential to change the tide of battle. A strong supporter of blue control strategies, Wall of Frost can shape your game’s pace and create openings for victory. Whether you’re fortifying your defense or simply admire the card’s strategic depth, the insights gathered here serve as a blueprint for your collection. Keen to refine your strategies and build a deck that reflects your playstyle? Dive deeper with us and discover how to optimize your MTG experience.


Cards like Wall of Frost

Wall of Frost stands as a defensive powerhouse in Magic: The Gathering, akin to other formidable defenders like Glacial Wall. Both are excellent at deterring attacks, with Wall of Frost having the added ability to lock down creatures it blocks by freezing them for a turn. This compares to Glacial Wall’s simple yet reliable toughness.

Another card worth mentioning is Frost Lynx, which also encapsulates the freeze mechanic of Wall of Frost, albeit in a slightly different manner. Upon entering the battlefield, Frost Lynx taps a target creature, preventing it from untapping during its controller’s next untap step. Although it has a one-time effect and is more fragile, it offers immediate impact on the board.

Lastly, there’s the formidable Wall of Ice—a creature with sheer strength as its main asset, offering a considerable toughness of seven. While it lacks the freezing ability of Wall of Frost, its substantial toughness can still effectively block most threats.

Through careful evaluation, Wall of Frost is a valuable card, striking a balance between robust defense and tempo control, positioning it as a uniquely tactical option for players looking to fortify their defense in Magic: The Gathering.

Glacial Wall - MTG Card versions
Frost Lynx - MTG Card versions
Wall of Ice - MTG Card versions
Glacial Wall - Ice Age (ICE)
Frost Lynx - Magic 2015 (M15)
Wall of Ice - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

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

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Reef Pirates - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wall of Frost MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2011, 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 Wall of Frost and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wall of Frost Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Mike Bierek.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-07-17Magic 2010M10 802003normalblackMike Bierek
22010-07-16Magic 2011M11 792003normalblackMike Bierek
32012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 282003normalblackMike Bierek
42013-07-19Magic 2014M14 782003normalblackMike Bierek
52014-07-18Magic 2015M15 832015normalblackMike Bierek
62016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 282015normalblackMike Bierek
72017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 562015normalblackMike Bierek
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5392015normalblackMike Bierek
92020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-562015normalblackMike Bierek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Frost has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2014-07-18 If the creature isn’t tapped during its controller’s next untap step (perhaps because it was untapped by a spell), Wall of Frost’s ability has no effect at that time. It won’t try to keep the creature tapped on subsequent turns.
2014-07-18 Wall of Frost’s ability tracks the creature, not the creature’s controller. That is, if the creature changes controllers before its first controller’s next untap step, then it won’t untap during its new controller’s next untap step.

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