Stormchaser Mage MTG Card


Stormchaser Mage - Oath of the Gatewatch
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Flying,Haste,Prowess
Released2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set nameOath of the Gatewatch
Set codeOGW
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number159
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byClint Cearley

Key Takeaways

  1. Prowess enhances Stormchaser Mage’s strength, rewarding strategy with noncreature spells.
  2. Instant speed usage maximizes combat prowess, turning reactive plays into advantages.
  3. Optimal for aggressive decks, the Mage applies early pressure, demanding opponent response.

Text of card

Flying, haste Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

Roilmages' tactics are as chaotic as the energies they channel.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Stormchaser Mage itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, its prowess ability means that any noncreature spell you cast not only enhances its power and toughness but also edges you closer to unleashing powerful draw spells in your deck, maximizing your ability to pull ahead in card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although Stormchaser Mage isn’t a direct source of mana, its low casting cost combined with its high potential power from the prowess ability makes it an ideal candidate for aggressive strategies. This can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by applying pressure on opponents and forcing them to make unfavorable trades or use resources to handle the threat.

Instant Speed: The prowess mechanic on Stormchaser Mage rewards players for utilizing instant speed interactions. Casting spells at instant speed is encouraged, as it can unexpectedly boost Stormchaser Mage’s power during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn, allowing for advantageous combats and maximizing turn efficiency.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stormchaser Mage’s prowess ability often necessitates holding onto spells to boost its power, potentially leading to reluctant discards when trying to optimize its use on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and red mana, Stormchaser Mage can be restrictive, limiting its inclusion to decks that can consistently produce both mana types, such as specific Izzet decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a cost of two mana is not exorbitant, in formats where maximum efficiency is key, there are other creatures and spells at the same cost that may offer immediate impact or higher stats without the need for additional spell casting to be effective.


Reasons to Include Stormchaser Mage in Your Collection

Versatility: Stormchaser Mage thrives in decks that capitalize on spells. Its prowess ability allows it to grow stronger with each noncreature spell cast, making it a fit for a variety of aggressive and tempo strategies.

Combo Potential: This card complements strategies centered around instant and sorcery spells. In combination with cards that benefit from spellcasting or prowess triggers, Stormchaser Mage can be a key piece in powerful synergistic plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given its quick attacking potential and ability to dodge certain removal thanks to its flying trait, Stormchaser Mage holds its ground in metas with lots of low-to-the-ground creatures and decks that can’t handle early pressure.


How to Beat Stormchaser Mage

Within the dynamic world of MTG, Stormchaser Mage stands out as a swift and potent threat, especially in formats that allow for a flurry of instant and sorcery spells to enhance its prowess. In confronting this creature, removal spells that can target Stormchaser Mage before it becomes too large are essential. Lightning Bolt and Fatal Push are prime examples of efficient ways to dispatch the Mage before it can accrue insurmountable power. Moreover, countering the Mage upon cast with spells such as Mana Leak can prevent the opponent from ever establishing their tempo.

Control decks often find Stormchaser Mage manageable by stabilizing early and setting up a board state where the Mage’s impact is lessened through sweepers like Supreme Verdict, which can reset the field. On the other hand, aggressive strategies might opt for racing against the Mage, deploying threats faster and applying pressure that diverts the opponent’s resources away from fueling Stormchaser Mage’s prowess.

In essence, ensuring you have the means to either preempt Stormchaser Mage’s battlefield entry or mitigate its influence swiftly once in play is key to overcoming the challenges this card presents.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG involves more than recognizing individual card capabilities; it’s about crafting synergy between those cards for a winning strategy. Stormchaser Mage is a testament to this philosophy, seamlessly integrating into spell-heavy decks and rewarding strategic spellcasting. Beyond its individual strengths and weaknesses, it’s how Stormchaser Mage complements your entire deck that truly forges your path to victory. For those looking to harness the raw power of spell-slinging prowess, incorporating this card could be your stepping stone to dominance. Ready to enhance your MTG knowledge and deck-building prowess? Dive into our resources to uncover the full potential of your collection and sharpen your gameplay skills.


Cards like Stormchaser Mage

Stormchaser Mage has cemented its place as an agile threat within Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of aggressive creatures. Much like its cousin, the Monastery Swiftspear, Stormchaser Mage thrives in decks that aim to cast a multitude of non-creature spells to build up power. While Monastery Swiftspear starts off as a 1/2 and possesses haste, Stormchaser Mage boasts both flying and haste, starting out as a 1/3, making it exceptional at evading ground blockers.

Delver of Secrets is another card with which Stormchaser Mage shares common ground. Both creatures have the potential for swift damage, although Delver of Secrets requires a bit of setup to transform into its formidable Insectile Aberration form. Unlike Stormchaser Mage, which gains strength from spell-slinging, Delver of Secrets relies on deck manipulation to reveal instants or sorceries.

Admiring Stormchaser Mage, one cannot overlook Kiln Fiend. This creature also grows more dangerous with each instant or sorcery cast. While Kiln Fiend lacks the haste and flying of Stormchaser Mage, its power spike potential with each cast spell is unmatched. Assessing these options, Stormchaser Mage offers a blend of speed, evasiveness, and synergistic power increase that can be a game-changer in the right deck.

Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions
Kiln Fiend - MTG Card versions
Monastery Swiftspear - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Kiln Fiend - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stormchaser Mage MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Stormchaser Mage and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stormchaser Mage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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