Twigwalker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Insect
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	279
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Carl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

Twigwalker’s card cycling and mana ramping enhance player strategies and board presence.
Its demand for card discard and specific mana can challenge player resources and deck flexibility.
Versatile and combo-friendly, Twigwalker is a valuable addition to MTG collections with meta relevance.

Text of card

o1o G, Sacrifice Twigwalker: Two target creatures each get +2/+2 until end of turn.

"Break one in half and you'll get a decent—if gooey—pair of weapons." —Centaur warrior

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Twigwalker card can often draw you into more action or key pieces by effectively cycling itself out of your hand and directly onto the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Twigwalker has the potential to ramp up your mana resources, particularly if used in conjunction with other cards that benefit from having multiple creatures on the field.

Instant Speed: The ability to summon creatures at instant speed with Twigwalker means you can surprise your opponents during their turn, possibly disrupting their strategies or making key blocks when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As part of its activation process, Twigwalker demands the player to discard another card. This can strenuously deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options for future turns, especially if you’re already facing resource scarcity.

Specific Mana Cost: Twigwalker requires a precise combination of mana types to cast. This particular need can make it challenging to fit into multi-color decks that might not reliably generate the necessary mana types, thus potentially limiting its playability across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to bring Twigwalker into play is significant when compared to other creatures in its category. This high cost might make it a less favorable option during the early game or when competing against decks that aim to establish a quick board presence with lower-cost creatures.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Twigwalker’s flexible nature allows it to adapt to various deck themes. Whether you’re building an elf-centered deck or focusing on creature synergies, Twigwalker’s elf subtype and essential creature stats make it a viable player in diverse strategies.

Combo Potential: Enthusiasts of intricate gameplay will appreciate Twigwalker for its ability to mesh with combo-centric builds. This card’s capability to fit into creature-based combos or serve as an important component in your engine offers inventive ways to take the game.

Meta-Relevance: Keeping up with the evolving competitive scene means having adaptable cards. Twigwalker holds its own due to its contribution to board presence and interaction with popular MTG archetypes, ensuring that your collection remains relevant and effective against a variety of opponents.

How to beat

Confronting a Twigwalker in your MTG gameplay involves strategy and understanding its strengths. This creature card comes with its unique advantages, capable of affecting the board state significantly. Known for its potential to grow stronger with each land card entering your side of the field, Twigwalker can become a formidable force. To combat this growth, controlling the number of lands that come into play is essential. Utilizing land destruction or containment spells can reduce Twigwalker’s effectiveness and halt its power surge early on.

Another effective method is employing removal spells that can target Twigwalker before it becomes too large. Swift removal can be vital since letting this creature’s strength build up for too long can turn it into a threat that’s much harder to manage as the game progresses. Instant speed removal allows you to wait until your opponent has committed to a play, then remove Twigwalker, thus wasting their resources.

Lastly, consider designing your deck with counters to creatures that scale with landfall or similar mechanics. Cards that can bounce, exile, or prevent creatures from being played altogether can be pivotal in ensuring that opponents’ strategies centered on Twigwalker don’t reach full potential. By incorporating these tactics, you’ll increase your chances of maintaining control when up against this particular card.

Cards like Twigwalker

The Twigwalker is a unique new creature in Magic: The Gathering, drawing comparisons from established cards in the creature pool. Like the venerable Llanowar Elves, Twigwalker also facilitates mana acceleration to help cast spells swiftly. Unlike Llanowar Elves, Twigwalker doesn’t tap for mana but provides a scalable effect, growing in power and toughness as you reach certain land thresholds.

It echoes the adaptability of Vinelasher Kudzu, another plant creature that gains +1/+1 counters whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control. However, Twigwalker’s power isn’t dependent on lands entering during the game, but rather on the lands you already possess. Furthermore, it shares parallels with Tarmogoyf, a card known for its power and toughness being equal to the number of card types in all graveyards. Twigwalker, however, limits its growth mechanic to lands and offers players a more predictable, though potentially less explosive, growth pattern.

When evaluating Twigwalker alongside its counterparts, it demonstrates a stable growth potential and a strong early to mid-game presence. Its unique attributes position it as a noteworthy option for players looking to incorporate reliable and incremental creature growth in their MTG deck strategies.

Cards similar to Twigwalker by color, type and mana cost

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Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Twigwalker MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Twigwalker and other MTG cards: