Pyrostatic Pillar MTG Card
2003-05-26 - Number 100
2010-11-08 - Number B25
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Whenever a player plays a spell with converted mana cost 3 or less, Pyrostatic Pillar deals 2 damage to that player.
Cards like Pyrostatic Pillar
Pyrostatic Pillar stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a potent deterrent against low-cost spells. It shares a functional resemblance with Eidolon of the Great Revel, which also punishes players for casting spells with a converted mana cost of three or less. The key difference lies in Eidolon being a creature, providing an additional body on the board, while Pyrostatic Pillar offers an indestructible enchantment, ensuring a persistent effect.
Furthermore, we find a related card in Sulfuric Vortex, dealing consistent damage to each player during their upkeep. While it doesn’t target spell casting specifically, the continuous life loss can parallel the punishing aspects of Pyrostatic Pillar. Rounding up these comparisons, we have Harsh Mentor, which rather than focusing on spell costs, applies its effect when opponents activate abilities of artifacts, creatures, or lands, dealing damage akin to the thematic essence of Pyrostatic Pillar’s design.
Each card caters to players relying on various strategies to keep opponents in check. As players consider their deck’s synergy and strategy, cards like Pyrostatic Pillar can be vital to a winning formula, offering a spectrum of options in the realm of casting-cost based deterrents.
Cards similar to Pyrostatic Pillar by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Pyrostatic Pillar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Burn | Legacy | Burn | Weekly Legacy |
| Burn | Legacy | Burn | 3^ tappa | 8^ INVILegacy MTG King's Cross |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Pyrostatic Pillar can indirectly lead to card advantage by applying pressure on your opponent’s resources. Each noncreature spell with a mana value of 3 or less becomes a double-edged sword, often forcing them to reconsider plays that would normally advance their board state, effectively causing a virtual card advantage as they may hold back cards in hand to avoid taking damage.
Resource Acceleration: While Pyrostatic Pillar doesn’t directly affect mana resources, it can accelerate your strategy by slowing down your opponents, particularly in formats where low-cost spells are prevalent. This allows you to establish a board presence and capitalize on slower, more impactful plays while your opponents are deterred by the potential life loss for quickly deploying their hand.
Instant Speed: As an enchantment, Pyrostatic Pillar’s strength doesn’t stem from instant speed interaction. However, once it’s on the battlefield, it operates passively at the speed of the game, affecting each spell as it’s cast. This creates an environment where you can benefit from every spell your opponent casts without needing to invest further in time or resources, ultimately achieving a persistent influence on the pace and decisions of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike some other tactics that allow you to maintain a full hand, Pyrostatic Pillar can become less effective as your hand size diminishes. There’s no direct discard involved, but it can pressure you into playing spells sooner to prevent damage, indirectly leading to a smaller hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Pyrostatic Pillar’s red mana cost makes it an exclusive fit for red decks or those with a red mana base. This requirement restricts its versatility across the different deck archetypes, which could be a potential drawback for players not running red.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the two mana cost isn’t steep on its own, in a fast-paced game, spending those resources on an enchantment that does not immediately affect the board state may not be as cost-effective compared to other red cards that can offer more immediate impact.
Reasons to Include Pyrostatic Pillar in Your Collection
Versatility: Pyrostatic Pillar offers a consistent damage output, making it a valuable asset in decks that aim to apply pressure and disrupt low-cost spell strategies. It fits well into aggressive red builds that can capitalize on early opponent life loss.
Combo Potential: This card works seamlessly with strategies that aim to punish opponents for casting spells. It can also be combined with effects that copy triggered abilities to double the pain for each spell your opponent casts.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where cheap spells and storm decks are prevalent, Pyrostatic Pillar shines by providing a hurdle for opponents, potentially skewing tempo in your favor. Its relevance increases in metas that are spell-heavy and fast-paced.
How to beat
Pyrostatic Pillar is a notorious card in Magic: The Gathering that can challenge even the most skilled players. It can cause significant damage to opponents who favor low-cost spells, essentially punishing them for playing an array of cheap spells in a single turn. Understanding how to mitigate this card’s impact is crucial for maintaining control of the game.
To navigate this obstacle, consider adjusting your strategy by including higher-cost spells in your deck, thereby bypassing Pyrostatic Pillar’s damage trigger. Another effective method is to utilize enchantment removal spells, which can directly eliminate Pyrostatic Pillar from the battlefield. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant are perfect for this purpose. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed interaction can keep you in the game by dealing with the enchantment during your opponent’s turn, minimizing the potential damage taken. Redirecting your focus to a creature-centric approach can also circumvent the limitations imposed by Pyrostatic Pillar, ensuring that your path to victory remains unobstructed.
Overall, adapting to Pyrostatic Pillar’s presence requires a careful assessment of your deck’s composition and having the right countermeasures in place to dismantle its influence over the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pyrostatic Pillar MTG card by a specific set like Scourge and Magic Online Theme Decks, 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 Pyrostatic Pillar 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
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Printings
The Pyrostatic Pillar Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-05-26 and 2010-11-08. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-05-26 | Scourge | SCG | 100 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | B25 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pyrostatic Pillar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |