North Pole Research Base MTG Card


Offers scrying for better draw strategy, crucial for maintaining a consistent flow of play options. Enables mana burst potentially speeding up gameplay and board presence against opponents. Acts at instant speed, allowing flexible responses to game state without revealing tactics.
North Pole Research Base - Doctor Who
RarityCommon
TypePlane — Earth
Abilities Treasure
Released2023-10-13
Set symbol
Set nameDoctor Who
Set codeWHO
Number593
Frame2015
LayoutPlanar
BorderBlack
Illustred byJeremy Paillotin

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent draws a card and creates a Treasure token. Whenever chaos ensues, create a 2/2 white Alien creature token. When you do, tap target nontoken creature an opponent controls. Put a stun counter on it. (If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, remove one from it instead.)


Cards like North Pole Research Base

North Pole Research Base steps onto the MTG battlefield as a unique snow land card, immediately drawing comparisons to other land cards that offer more than just mana generation. Icy Manipulator, a classic, allows you to tap down opponents’ lands or creatures, but it doesn’t provide the stability of a mana source like North Pole Research Base does.

Another card that comes to mind is Frostwalk Bastion. Similar to North Pole Research Base, this snowy land can become a creature with specific abilities. However, North Pole Research Base offers an incremental advantage by allowing you to utilize other features such as card scrying or life gain, which Frostwalk Bastion lacks. Then there’s Mouth of Ronom, a snow land offering direct creature removal, standing out with its destructive capability, but not without a significant mana investment unlike the more versatile use found in North Pole Research Base.

In evaluating these comparisons, North Pole Research Base can be recognized for its multipurpose functionality among snow land cards in MTG, providing players with strategic options well beyond simple mana ramp.

Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Frostwalk Bastion - MTG Card versions
Mouth of Ronom - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Frostwalk Bastion - MTG Card versions
Mouth of Ronom - MTG Card versions

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Celestine Reef - MTG Card versions
Stairs to Infinity - MTG Card versions
The Great Forest - MTG Card versions
Sea of Sand - MTG Card versions
Izzet Steam Maze - MTG Card versions
Cliffside Market - MTG Card versions
Agyrem - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan - MTG Card versions
Raven's Run - MTG Card versions
Velis Vel - MTG Card versions
Academy at Tolaria West - MTG Card versions
Naar Isle - MTG Card versions
Minamo - MTG Card versions
The Fourth Sphere - MTG Card versions
Pools of Becoming - MTG Card versions
Prahv - MTG Card versions
The Zephyr Maze - MTG Card versions
Kharasha Foothills - MTG Card versions
Trail of the Mage-Rings - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The North Pole Research Base grants you the ability to sift through your deck with its unique scrying mechanic, giving you a better chance at drawing into key cards for your strategy as the game progresses. This base enhances the consistency of your plays and maintains a steady flow of options at your disposal.

Resource Acceleration: Activating this fortification can produce a burst of mana under certain conditions, propelling you ahead in the resource game. Such an effect could mean the difference between casting a game-changing spell a turn early or developing your board presence at a faster rate than your opponent.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of this card is further highlighted by its capability to act at instant speed, allowing you to adapt to the board state and your opponent’s actions. It provides the opportunity to optimize your plays and respond accordingly without having to commit resources during your own turn, keeping your strategies veiled and your defenses up.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: North Pole Research Base requires players to discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can deplete your hand quickly, leaving fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost demands a specific combination of colors that may not seamlessly fit into all decks, potentially limiting the array of strategies it can support.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher than average mana cost, North Pole Research Base places a considerable demand on your mana resources, potentially slowing down your gameplay in the early rounds when establishing board presence is crucial.


Reasons to Include North Pole Research Base in Your Collection

Versatility: North Pole Research Base offers a unique utility that can be integrated into a diverse range of decks. It serves multiple functions, from resource generation to strategic planning, allowing players to adapt to various game situations.

Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in decks that capitalize on card synergies. Its ability to manipulate game mechanics can create powerful interactions and unlock potential in card combinations yet to be fully explored.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG gaming landscape evolves, so does the importance of adaptable cards. North Pole Research Base’s flexibility makes it a formidable asset, particularly in environments where the ability to respond to shifting strategies can mean the difference between victory and defeat.


How to beat

Mastering the art of strategic play in Magic: The Gathering often comes down to knowing how to counter formidable cards. The North Pole Research Base card is a unique asset that can pose quite a challenge on the battlefield. Its capacity to accumulate knowledge counters and thereby draw cards gives it a built-in advantage, reminiscent of powerful card engines that fuel a player’s strategy.

To effectively neutralize the North Pole Research Base’s utility, one efficient tactic is to target it with artifact removal spells before the counters can accumulate. Directly dismantling the opponent’s resources will limit their ability to leverage the card’s benefits. Cards like Abrade or Disenchant prove invaluable here, offering a quick and cost-effective solution to the problem.

Additionally, applying pressure through aggressive plays can compel your opponent to utilize resources elsewhere, potentially impacting the efficacy of the base’s capabilities. It is also worth considering the strategic implementation of countermeasures such as Pithing Needle, rendering the base’s activated abilities unusable. Keeping these strategies in mind can turn the tide of the game, ensuring you retain control over the often-unpredictable nature of a Magic: The Gathering match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase North Pole Research Base MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who, 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 North Pole Research Base and other MTG cards:

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