Powerstone Minefield MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 115
2020-09-26 - Number APC-115
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever a creature attacks or blocks, Powerstone Minefield deals 2 damage to it.
"We have fought this far and lost too much. We will not turn back." —Grizzlegom
Cards like Powerstone Minefield
Powerstone Minefield is a unique card that shapes the battlefield by deterring creature attacks in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with other red and white control enchantments such as Lightmine Field, which also punishes players for attacking with multiple creatures. Where Powerstone Minefield stands out is in its ability to deal damage to both attacking and blocking creatures, adding layers of strategy to the combat phase.
Comparatively, we have cards like Circle of Flame, which only affects attacking creatures, limiting its reach somewhat in comparison to Powerstone Minefield’s versatile area of effect. On the other hand, AEther Flash is a card that deals damage to creatures upon entering the battlefield, providing a more preemptive control approach, yet lacking in Powerstone Minefield’s ongoing battle influence.
The strategic value of Powerstone Minefield within the control archetype of MTG is solidified by its continuous effect, altering the ebb and flow of combat and making it a formidable card in the arsenal of any player looking to deter aggressive strategies effectively.
Cards similar to Powerstone Minefield by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Powerstone Minefield is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to locking down the board. While not directly providing card draw, it deters opponents from casting creatures, potentially causing them to hoard cards in hand, while you maintain or even increase your board state.
Resource Acceleration: This enchantment can inadvertently act as a resource accelerator. By discouraging attacks and creature plays, it allows you to safely develop your mana base and set up powerful plays without the pressure of an advancing enemy.
Instant Speed: The ability to deal damage at instant speed without casting an additional spell offers immense flexibility. Your opponents must constantly be wary of their creature’s health during their own turns, giving you the edge as you respond to threats in real time, shaping the flow of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Powerstone Minefield does not make you discard cards, it requires a strategic setup, meaning you could be discarding opportunities for other plays.
Specific Mana Cost: This card needs a blend of red and white mana, which could be restrictive in decks that do not run both colors or lack mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a four-mana investment, Powerstone Minefield can be costly, especially since its damage effect is symmetrical and might not always work to your advantage.
Reasons to Include Powerstone Minefield in Your Collection
Versatility: Powerstone Minefield is the kind of card that can impact the board state regardless of the type of deck you play against. Its ability to punish creatures every time they attack or block makes it a flexible deterrent in many different matchups.
Combo Potential: This enchantment synergizes with strategies that aim to control the battlefield by limiting creature-based tactics. It can be combined with cards that encourage opponents to attack or block, thereby increasing the damage dealt by Powerstone Minefield.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of the meta-game, having an answer to creature-swarms or aggressive strategies is crucial. Powerstone Minefield offers a unique form of board control, proving particularly effective in metas where creatures are the main avenue to victory.
How to Beat Powerstone Minefield
Powerstone Minefield presents a challenging obstacle on the battlefield, punishing players for attacking with its damage-dealing ability. Navigating around this hurdle requires finesse and strategic planning. To effectively counteract the Minefield’s field control, consider employing a mix of direct removal spells, enchantment negation, or creatures with abilities that prevent or reduce damage.
Utilizing the green color pie’s strength in enchantment removal can be pivotal, with spells like Naturalize or Back to Nature providing clean solutions. Alternatively, red offers a more direct approach with cards featuring the ‘destroy target artifact or enchantment’ effect. In matches where the Minefield is a consistent threat, cards like Greater Auramancy that shield your other enchantments become vital, allowing you to retain your board advantage without the repercussion of damage.
Building a strategy to circumvent Powerstone Minefield is crucial. Skirting the Minefield’s constraints with shrewd creature selection and advantage-generating enchantments can ensure your strategy remains unscathed. Ultimately, understanding your deck’s tools and incorporating versatile answers is key to overcoming this daunting card in any MTG game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Powerstone Minefield MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and The List, 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 Powerstone Minefield and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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 Powerstone Minefield Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2001-06-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 115 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | APC-115 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Hildebrandt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Powerstone Minefield has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |