Stormscape Battlemage MTG Card
2001-02-05 - Number 35
2005-08-22 - Number E40
2013-11-01 - Number 58
2020-09-26 - Number PLS-35
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Metathran Wizard |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Offers card advantage and board control with flexible kicker abilities to either draw or destroy creatures.
- Its casting at instant speed adds a strategic layer, making it versatile during multiple phases of the game.
- Dual-colored mana requirements can be restrictive, and its high cost may outweigh its benefits in certain decks.
Text of card
Kicker o W and/or o B When Stormscape Battlemage comes into play, if you paid the o W kicker cost, you gain 3 life. When Stormscape Battlemage comes into play, if you paid the o B kicker cost, destroy target nonblack creature. That creature can't be regenerated.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stormscape Battlemage offers considerable flexibility with its kickers that can either draw you a card or destroy an opponent’s creature if it’s blue when you pay the optional cost. This can significantly swing the game in your favor by providing a two-for-one effect, establishing a potent card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, Stormscape Battlemage’s ability to potentially remove key threats on the board can accelerate your game plan indirectly. By eliminating opposing blue creatures or replenishing your hand, you maintain resource supremacy, enabling you to outpace your opponent.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Stormscape Battlemage at instant speed enhances its strategic value. This versatility allows players to react to opponents’ actions during their turn, keeping mana open for counterspells or other interactive plays, and then deploying the Battlemage if the coast is clear or immediate action is needed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Stormscape Battlemage offers flexibility with its kicker abilities, these abilities also necessitate an additional discard, which might be too costly if your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise mana blend to take full advantage of its abilities. Having to produce one white and one blue for its kickers can be a hurdle in multicolored decks not focused on these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/2 creature, spending three mana might be on the higher side, particularly in formats where mana-efficiency is crucial. Other creatures or spells in the same cost bracket may provide superior board presence or utility without the additional mana investment of its kicker costs.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stormscape Battlemage is a multifaceted option for decks that can leverage its kicker abilities, catering to varied situations by offering creature removal or card advantage.
Combo Potential: Its flexibility to work in kicker-themed decks or with spell-based synergies makes this card a solid inclusion for players looking to exploit its dual potential for powerful combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by creature-heavy strategies, Stormscape Battlemage serves as a handy tool, providing tactical advantages against numerous creature types currently flourishing in the game.
How to beat
Stormscape Battlemage, a versatile creature card from Magic: The Gathering, can be quite a challenge on the battlefield with its kicker abilities offering both creature destruction and life gain. Facing this multicolored mage requires a strategic approach. Consider using instant speed removal spells that can disrupt it before its kicker effects take place. Furthermore, cards like Essence Scatter or Negate prove effective as they can counter the Battlemage when cast, preventing its abilities from ever triggering.
Resource denial is another tactic to employ. Limiting your opponent’s mana through land destruction or counterspells can prevent them from having enough to pay for the kicker costs. Additionally, cards that restrict casting or increase casting costs, such as Damping Sphere or Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, can hinder their game plan significantly.
Overall, while Stormscape Battlemage has the potential to sway the game, a well-timed response or a strategic deck building that includes disruption can mitigate its impact, ensuring its abilities don’t turn the tide against you.
Cards like Stormscape Battlemage
In the vast array of creature cards available in Magic the Gathering, Stormscape Battlemage emerges with a unique charm. This card bears resemblance to a swathe of kicker-effect creatures, yet holds its own with dual kicker options that either deal damage or provide card advantage. Cards like Gatekeeper of Malakir and Wolfbriar Elemental are kin in the sense that they offer modal kicker effects which allow players to tailor their plays to the current game state.
Compared to Gatekeeper of Malakir, Stormscape Battlemage offers a different flavor of utility. While the former forces an opponent to sacrifice a creature when kicked, which can be a game-changer, the battlemage leans towards versatility with either direct damage or card drawing. This flexibility can be crucial in games where either removing a small threat or refreshing your hand is key.
Wolfbriar Elemental, on the other hand, summons a pack of Wolf tokens equal to the amount of mana spent to kick it, potentially overwhelming the opponent with creatures. Stormscape Battlemage’s ability to potentially remove a threat and draw a card, however, can pivot a game toward victory even against a tide of tokens.
In summary, while there are numerous creatures with kicker abilities in Magic the Gathering, Stormscape Battlemage stands out due to its dual options, allowing for responsive tactical plays that cater to varied situations one may encounter during a game.
Cards similar to Stormscape Battlemage by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stormscape Battlemage MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and Salvat 2005, 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 Stormscape Battlemage and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Stormscape Battlemage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2013-11-01. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-02-05 | Planeshift | PLS | 35 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E40 | 2003 | Normal | White | Christopher Moeller | |
| 3 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 58 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | PLS-35 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stormscape Battlemage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
