Flowstone Shambler MTG Card

Stronghold (STH)
1998-03-02 - Number 86

Flowstone Shambler - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 185

Ninth Edition (9ED)
2005-07-29 - Number 185★

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number K7

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number K53

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Beast
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Flowstone Shambler offers consistent board presence but requires strategic hand resource management.
While limiting in deck versatility, its power adjustment can be decisive in creature combat.
When integrated into red-centric decks, it serves as a malleable offensive or defensive asset.

Text of card

oo R Flowstone Shambler gets +1/-1 until end of turn.

Flowstone troops are notoriously difficult to keep in formation.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Flowstone Shambler may not directly provide card draw, its potential to be a recurring threat can pressure opponents and indirectly lead to card advantage through attrition.

Resource Acceleration: This creature doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration like mana ramp; however, its reasonable cost makes it a solid play that fits smoothly into your mana curve, efficiently utilizing resources.

Instant Speed: Flowstone Shambler operates at sorcery speed, which means that it doesn’t have the flexibility of an instant-speed response. Despite this, it compensates by offering robust board presence and the potential to surprise opponents with sudden strength adjustments in combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flowstone Shambler demands that you discard another card when using its ability. During gameplay, this requirement can set you back by reducing your hand and limiting your strategic options, particularly if your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: With red mana specifically needed to fuel its abilities, Flowstone Shambler restricts deck-building options. Its inclusion may be challenging for multi-colored decks that cannot reliably generate red mana, thereby reducing its versatility in diverse deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana to cast—two of which are color-specific—makes this card less appealing compared to other creatures in the same mana range. The card’s statline and effect may not justify its mana cost in a fast-paced environment where players seek cost-efficient creatures with immediate board impact.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flowstone Shambler is a flexible card that can be a useful inclusion in a range of red decks. Its ability to change its power at will makes it a suitable choice for strategies that capitalize on creature size manipulation or those requiring blockers that can adapt to different threats.

Combo Potential: This card has the potential to work well with effects that trigger upon creatures becoming larger, or in combination with cards that deal damage based on power. It can easily become a key component in a synergistic deck that aims to surprise opponents with sudden power increases.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where red-based beatdown or aggressive decks are flourishing, Flowstone Shambler shines. Its capacity to swing in as a substantial threat or remain back as a formidable blocker makes it adapt well to the changing rhythms of the game, ensuring it stays relevant across various match scenarios.

How to beat

The Flowstone Shambler may not be the most formidable creature in the vast world of MTG, but like all cards, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding the intricacies of the game’s mechanics is key to maneuvering around the obstacles this card can present. For starters, the Flowstone Shambler’s power lies in its ability to boost its strength at the cost of defense, making it flexible during your opponent’s turn.

To effectively counter the shambler, removal spells are highly effective. Simple yet powerful spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can swiftly handle this morphing threat without much fuss. Blocking strategies also work well, especially if you can lure your opponent into committing to a power boost, and then spring a combat trick to neutralize their now vulnerable creature. Additionally, strategies that limit the effectiveness of activated abilities or reduce the power of opponent’s creatures can cripple the Flowstone Shambler’s impact on the game.

Remember that in MTG, leveraging your understanding of card interactions is pivotal. The right mix of removal, strategy, and timing can transform what might seem like a mountainous Shambler into a mere pebble on your path to victory.

Cards like Flowstone Shambler

Delving into the roster of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Flowstone Shambler shines in its own unique way. When assessing similar cards, Shivan Dragon comes to mind. Both creatures boast the ability to pump their attack power, a feature that can quickly turn the tide of battle. However, the key differentiator is Shivan Dragon’s flying ability, giving it an edge in evasion over the ground-bound Shambler.

Another card worth comparing is Ball Lightning. While lacking the staying power of Flowstone Shambler due to its one-turn-lifespan, Ball Lightning compensates with its burst potential, offering a significant immediate threat. On the other hand, the Shambler’s flexible mana investment for its power increase allows for a more sustained and adaptable presence on the battlefield.

Ultimately, when exploring the variety and potential of these fiery creatures, one can appreciate how Flowstone Shambler provides a versatile and often underrated option for players seeking a dynamic threat in their red-based decks.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flowstone Shambler MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Ninth Edition, 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 Shambler and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Flowstone Shambler Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Jim Nelson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-03-02	Stronghold	STH	86	1997	Normal	Black	Jim Nelson
2	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	185	2003	Normal	White	Jim Nelson
3	2005-07-29	Ninth Edition	9ED	185★	2003	Normal	Black	Jim Nelson
4	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	K7	2003	Normal	White	Jim Nelson
5	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	K53	2003	Normal	White	Jim Nelson