Mudslide MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 204
2008-09-22 - Number 136
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Creatures without flying do not untap during their controller's untap phase. At the end of his or her upkeep, each player may pay an additional per creature to untap a creature without flying he or she controls.
Cards like Mudslide
Dwelling within the realm of land-affecting enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, Mudslide has its own niche. It shares a thematic link with cards like Winter Orb and Static Orb, which restrict players’ use of lands and artifacts, respectively. Mudslide specifically makes non-flying creatures more cumbersome to untap, reflecting the struggle to move through a viscous, earthy terrain.
Another enchantment, Earthbind, focuses instead on grounding flyers, which could be seen as a complementary strategy—flights of fantasy are clipped, provoking a different form of the battle on the ground. Comparatively, Tectonic Instability vibrates through the board with a different consequence of land manipulation, making any land tap an earthquake that forces all others to reposition, a form of resource denial not based on creatures but on lands themselves.
Balancing the scales on the issue of utility and continued relevance, Mudslide may not be the first card on everyone’s list, yet it offers a uniquely advantageous position against decks heavy in ground units. It’s a card that, when played to its strengths, can significantly alter the flow of the game, asserting a substantial presence on the playmat.
Cards similar to Mudslide by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mudslide brings a strategic edge by potentially restricting your opponent’s ability to untap creatures without paying a cost. This can lead to card advantage as they may not be able to efficiently use their creatures for blocking or attacking, allowing you to maintain board control.
Resource Acceleration: By limiting creature untaps only to those who pay for it, Mudslide effectively slows down the game. This can be particularly advantageous if your deck is designed to ramp up resources faster, as it buys you time to build your mana base and accelerates your long-term strategic setup.
Instant Speed: While Mudslide itself is not an instant, it alters the pace of the game to favor strategies that rely on instant speed interactions. With opponents spending resources to untap their creatures, your instant speed removals, counterspells, and flash creatures become more potent as your opponents may have less mana to respond effectively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The card Mudslide asks for a continuous investment, as it forces players to pay for creatures that would typically move freely. This might deplete your hand, particularly in fast-paced games where keeping card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two red mana can be restrictive. Whether you’re running a multicolor deck or a single-color deck that isn’t heavily red, Mudslide might not always be the most convenient inclusion and could hamper your mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three, including two dedicated red, Mudslide carries a higher cost compared to other enchantments or spells that deter creature aggression. This can set back your tempo, especially if you’re unable to extract the full benefit early in the game.
Reasons to Include Mudslide in Your Collection
Versatility: Mudslide brings unique control to the board by hampering creature-based strategies, potentially fitting into a diverse array of control or land-focused decks where limiting creature mobility can be beneficial.
Combo Potential: Its synergistic possibilities with cards that tap or inhibit creatures can transform a passive ability into a dynamic part of a winning strategy, increasing the value of your board control.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where non-flying creatures dominate, Mudslide can effectively alter the pace of the game, giving you an edge against decks that heavily rely on ground forces.
How to Beat Mudslide
Mudslide is an enchantment card that can put a stranglehold on games, particularly for players relying on creature-based strategies. To overcome Mudslide, it is crucial to shift focus to other means of securing victory. Opting for flying creatures is an astute choice, as Mudslide does not affect them. Building a deck with a strong aerial presence will allow you to bypass the card’s restrictions and maintain an aggressive stance.
Alternatively, consider leveraging spells that can remove enchantments directly from the battlefield. Green has an abundance of such spells, like Naturalize or Disenchant in white, which can efficiently deal with problematic enchantments. Lastly, it is beneficial to keep an adaptable playstyle, utilizing creatures that don’t need to tap, or even using non-creature alternatives to push through the Mudslide’s limitations.
Although Mudslide requires careful navigation, by diversifying your threats and having enchantment removal at the ready, you can effectively neutralize its impact and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mudslide MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Mudslide and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Mudslide Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 204 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 136 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mudslide has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mudslide card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | First the player chooses all the tapped creatures they would like to untap this way. Then the entire payment is made at once, then all of those creatures untap at the same time. If the entire payment can’t be paid (because the player chose too many creatures, for example), none of it is paid and none of those creatures untap. |