Flowstone Strike MTG Card


Flowstone Strike - Nemesis
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set nameNemesis
Set codeNEM
Number84
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMike Ploog

Key Takeaways

  1. Cost-efficient and instant, Flowstone Strike accelerates strategies and disrupts opponents for board control gains.
  2. Demands discard and color specificity, which may limit use and affect strategies in non-red decks.
  3. Its aggressive potential and meta relevance make it a strategic pick for red-themed or combo decks.

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/-1 and gains haste until end of turn. (It may attack and oc T the turn it comes under your control.)

Aggression exacts its toll.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flowstone Strike provides a unique edge by potentially removing a creature and turning the tide of board control in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: By efficiently costing only two mana, Flowstone Strike facilitates a quicker execution of your strategy without sacrificing crucial turns, thus accelerating your resource usage.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed utility makes Flowstone Strike a versatile tool in your arsenal, capable of disrupting your opponent’s plans at a moment’s notice and providing strategic advantages in combat scenarios.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flowstone Strike’s playability is tempered by its demand that a player discards a card. This can hinder your strategy, particularly when your hand is holding crucial pieces or if the game has progressed to a stage where resources are scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost rooted in red, Flowstone Strike’s integration is restricted predominantly to red or multicolored decks, potentially excluding it from a wide array of other deck types that can’t meet its color requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of cards, Flowstone Strike may come up short. Requiring three mana – two generic and one red – for a one-time effect might not be as cost-efficient as other options available within the same mana range, thereby decreasing its overall attractiveness for decks aiming for high efficiency and impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flowstone Strike serves as a useful trick in decks that capitalize on swift, offensive strategies. Its ability to give a creature a sudden boost in power makes it a versatile addition, suitable for pushing through extra damage or taking opponents by surprise during combat.

Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to be a part of ingenious combos in red or aggressive-themed decks. It can amplify other effects that scale with power or help achieve an unexpected win condition through its temporary yet impactful power increase.

Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of MTG gameplay, Flowstone Strike may find a place in collections for its capacity to upset the balance in a match. Particularly in metagames where combat tricks can decisively alter the outcome of a game, having this card on hand could be crucial for players looking to gain an edge.


How to beat

Flowstone Strike may appear intimidating with its ability to boost a creature’s power at the cost of its toughness. It transforms any MTG creature into a potential threat, allowing for a swift increase in damage output. To counter this, it’s crucial to eliminate the augmented creatures before the boost is applied, or disrupt the spell with a well-timed counterspell.

Strategies like using instant-speed removal can ensure that even if your opponent invests mana into Flowstone Strike, the targeted creature won’t live to reap the benefits. Also, bounce spells that return the creature to your opponent’s hand after they’ve invested resources can set them back, maintaining your control of the board state.

Lastly, employing creatures with high toughness can neutralize the advantage that Flowstone Strike provides, as your durable creatures can withstand the enhanced power of the opponent’s temporarily bolstered creatures. Efficiency and smart resource management are key when facing such combat tricks in the landscape of MTG.


Cards like Flowstone Strike

Flowstone Strike enters the arena of combat tricks within Magic: The Gathering, providing a swift boost to a creature’s power. When stacked up against other power-enhancing spells, there’s a crucial contrast worth noting. Giant Growth, a staple in boosting creature strength, gives a fixed increase to both power and toughness. Flowstone Strike differs as it solely increases power, giving it a more aggressive edge for ending games quickly.

Gleaning comparisons, we see that Brute Force is another card in this discussion. It shares the same mana cost as Flowstone Strike but offers a balanced increase to power and toughness. While this could prove more versatile in protecting as well as attacking, it lacks the unyielding offensive push that Flowstone Strike provides. Furthermore, Temur Battle Rage takes the concept to a different level by not only increasing power but also conferring double strike, potentially dealing massive damage but at a higher mana cost.

In essence, while evaluating these cards side by side, Flowstone Strike carves a niche for itself among MTG combat tricks. Focused on aggressive playstyles, it’s tailored for players who aim to press the advantage and conclude games with decisive power plays.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Brute Force - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Brute Force - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Temur Battle Rage - Fate Reforged (FRF)

Cards similar to Flowstone Strike by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Comet Storm - MTG Card versions
Pyretic Ritual - MTG Card versions
Punishing Fire - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Ice Age (ICE)
Incinerate - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Starstorm - Onslaught (ONS)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)
Sudden Shock - Time Spiral (TSP)
Fists of the Anvil - Tenth Edition (10E)
Magma Jet - Friday Night Magic 2009 (F09)
Seismic Shudder - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fling - Magic 2012 (M12)
Comet Storm - Commander 2017 (C17)
Pyretic Ritual - Magic 2011 (M11)
Punishing Fire - Commander 2011 (CMD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flowstone Strike MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Flowstone Strike and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flowstone Strike has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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