Flowstone Thopter MTG Card


Flowstone Thopter - Nemesis
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Thopter
Released2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set nameNemesis
Set codeNEM
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number132
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMike Ploog

Key Takeaways

  1. Draws extra cards, giving players a subtle edge and card advantage over opponents.
  2. Ramps up resources, especially in decks with a focus on artifact synergies.
  3. Instant speed deployment adds tactical depth and unpredictability in games.

Text of card

o1: Flowstone Thopter gets +1/-1 and gains flying until end of turn.

Airborne flowstone isn't less dangerous, only less common.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Embodying efficiency, the Flowstone Thopter excels in cycling through your deck. When it hits the battlefield, it nudges you towards victory by possibly drawing into more potent spells or critical answers to your opponent’s threats, giving you a subtle yet valuable card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: A less apparent but equally strategic aspect of the Flowstone Thopter is its inherent synergy with artifact-based strategies. Its presence can ramp up your resource generation, particularly in decks designed to exploit artifact synergies, making your next plays even more formidable.

Instant Speed: The surprise element of deploying the Flowstone Thopter at instant speed cannot be overstated. Waiting until the end of your opponent’s turn to flash in a flying blocker or an attacker for the next turn adds a layer of tactical depth to your game, keeping opponents on their toes and making your strategy less predictable.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flowstone Thopter’s ability comes with a need to discard a card, which can be a downside during gameplay, particularly when card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Its activation cost requires specific mana, which can make it less flexible for decks that run multiple colors or rely on generic mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The overall cost to get this artifact creature into play, coupled with its ability cost, is on the higher end compared to other options available, limiting its efficiency in fast-paced matches.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flowstone Thopter has the flexibility to slot into various MTG deck archetypes due to its nature as an artifact creature. This means it can be a fit for decks focusing on artifact synergies or those that need a reliable flying blocker or attacker.

Combo Potential: With its artifact type, Flowstone Thopter works well in combinations that capitalize on artifact recursion or sacrifice mechanics. It can contribute to intricate combos that can turn the tide of the game by leveraging its artifact status.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where air superiority can be pivotal, Flowstone Thopter offers an evasive threat that can pressure opponents. Its inclusion in your collection ensures you have a tool that can adapt to the fluid dynamics of MTG’s ever-changing competitive environment.


How to beat

Flowstone Thopter presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, as it’s a creature that blends the resilience of artifact creatures with a capacity for sudden increased power. When facing this MTG card, one effective strategy is to utilize instant-speed removal spells, ensuring you can respond to the buff before it deals damage. Artifact destruction spells also prove valuable, considering Flowstone Thopter’s dual nature as both an artifact and a creature.

Moreover, cards that prevent the activation of abilities can be a roadblock for Flowstone Thopter, hindering a player’s ability to boost its power at a crucial moment. It’s also wise to keep an eye out for ways to manage creatures with the potential for power changes as standard removal might not always be reliable if the Thopter’s power is increased in response to your actions. Lastly, evasive tactics that don’t rely on engaging in combat with the Thopter can circumvent the threat altogether, allowing you to focus on strategically pressuring your opponent on other fronts.


Cards like Flowstone Thopter

The Flowstone Thopter finds its place in MTG as a blend of artifact and creature dynamics. This card echoes the functionality of cards like Ornithopter, with both offering a low-cost flying creature to the battlefield. Flowstone Thopter distinctively requires more mana investment but compensates with an increase in power and toughness that Ornithopter lacks. It can serve as a more resilient presence in the skies compared to its counterpart.

Comparing it with Thopter Token creators such as Thopter Spy Network, Flowstone Thopter doesn’t generate multiple artifact creature tokens but stands out as an individual entity with the potential for substantial power boosts. While networks like Thopter Spy Network offer long-term value through consistent token creation, Flowstone Thopter is upfront with its capabilities, ready to engage in combat or adapt to evolving board states.

Considering the versatility and resilience of the Flowstone Thopter within the MTG plane of artifacts and creatures, it offers players a tactical advantage during play with its immediate and scaling power, asserting its unique position among similar MTG cards.

Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Thopter Spy Network - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Thopter Spy Network - MTG Card versions

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

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Pilgrim of the Fires - MTG Card versions
Hexplate Golem - MTG Card versions
Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Machine - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Colossus - MTG Card versions
Lotus Guardian - MTG Card versions
Wondrous Crucible - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Orrery - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Dragon - MTG Card versions
Pentavus - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Lancer - MTG Card versions
Solarion - MTG Card versions
Triskelavus - MTG Card versions
Platinum Angel - MTG Card versions
Sphinx-Bone Wand - MTG Card versions
Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Aether Searcher - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim of the Fires - MTG Card versions
Hexplate Golem - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flowstone Thopter 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 Thopter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flowstone Thopter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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