Restless Fortress MTG Card
2023-09-08 - Number 259
2023-09-08 - Number 259s
2023-09-08 - Number 259p
2023-09-08 - Number 305
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Restless Fortress enters the battlefield tapped. : Add or . : Restless Fortress becomes a 1/4 white and black Nightmare creature until end of turn. It's still a land. Whenever Restless Fortress attacks, defending player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Cards like Restless Fortress
Restless Fortress joins the ranks of land creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique twist to the battlefield. One might draw comparisons to Mutavault, which similarly can become a creature with all creature types. Yet, Restless Fortress stands out by being selectively attentive to defender tribal strategies. Mutavault, in contrast, doesn’t naturally fit into such a niche but serves as a versatile, all-rounder creature land.
For those valuing mana flexibility, Blinkmoth Nexus emerges as another kindred spirit to Restless Fortress, able to transform into a flying creature. Although Blinkmoth Nexus offers evasion through flight, it doesn’t quite match the raw defensive potential that Restless Fortress can contribute to a defender-oriented deck. Lastly, we consider Dread Statuary, which also turns into a creature. However, its lack of any particular synergy with a defensive strategy such as Restless Fortress carries makes it less impactful in decks focused on fortifying the battlefield.
Evaluating these comparative strengths demonstrates how Restless Fortress brings a specific tenacity for players who cultivate a sturdy board presence, carving its own niche among adaptable land creatures in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Restless Fortress by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Restless Fortress. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Midrange | Standard | Orzhov Midrange | Standard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28 |
 | Esper Control | Standard | Esper Control | Standard Super Qualifier 2024-04-28 |
 | Grixis Control | Standard | Grixis Control | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 29, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Restless Fortress offers the strategic benefit of providing a defender that can turn into an aggressive creature when needed. This dual capability ensures that players maintain board presence, deterring opponents from attacking while ready to shift into offense seamlessly.
Resource Acceleration: With the ability to tap for mana, Restless Fortress aids in ramping up your resources. It is not only a resilient creature on the battlefield but also doubles as a land. That means one card fulfills two roles, allowing you to accelerate your mana production with added flexibility.
Instant Speed: Although Restless Fortress doesn’t operate at instant speed, its activation can be done at any time you could cast an instant. This adaptability provides a significant tactical advantage, allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves and surprise them with a sudden blocker or attacker when least expected.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Restless Fortress necessitates a card discard to activate its key ability. This can deplete your hand, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when playing against decks that capitalize on your limited card resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Restless Fortress demands a particular slice of your mana base. Its casting cost includes mana that is not always readily available in multicolor decks, potentially causing delays and inefficiencies in your game plan.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a significant amount of mana to cast, Restless Fortress may not be the most economical choice for its effects. This could stunt your tempo, as there are alternative creatures or defense options that offer more favorable board presence or utility for the same, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Restless Fortress in Your Collection
Versatility: Restless Fortress is a unique card that can adapt to various deck builds. Its ability to become a creature or remain as land provides flexibility in both offensive and defensive scenarios, making it a valuable addition no matter the strategy.
Combo Potential: This card holds immense combo potential, particularly in decks that capitalize on landfall mechanics or strategies that involve animating lands. Its dual functionality can synergize with cards that count the number of creatures or lands you control, boosting your board presence significantly.
Meta-Relevance: In an ever-shifting competitive scene, Restless Fortress can be leveraged in metagames that require your deck to adapt on the fly. Its inherent resilience against board wipes, due to its land nature, allows it to survive where other creatures might not, ensuring you maintain a foothold in the game.
How to beat
The Restless Fortress card presents a unique set of challenges for players across the MTG multiverse. Bringing versatility to the battlefield, it can swiftly become a creature, posing a significant threat if left unchecked. Players must strategize effectively to counter its dual nature. To dismantle such a fortress, employing removal spells that can specifically target noncreature permanents, such as Disenchant or Nature’s Claim, can be a decisive move, eliminating the threat before it transforms.
Moreover, patience is key in these encounters. By refraining from committing too much to the board, you encourage your opponent to make the first move with Restless Fortress, thus exposing it to your swift removal tactics. It’s also beneficial to maintain a suite of instant-speed removal, like Murder or Path to Exile, in your arsenal. These cards can respond to the fortress’s activation, efficiently dealing with it once it morphs into a creature. Playing around Restless Fortress requires careful resource management and timing to ensure that its defensive capabilities do not overwhelm your strategy.
Ultimately, while the Restless Fortress can seem daunting, with the right preparation and knowledge of when to strike, players can break down its walls and maintain their route to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Restless Fortress MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine and Wilds of Eldraine Promos, 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 Restless Fortress 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 Restless Fortress Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 259 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Piotr Dura | |
| 2 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 259s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Piotr Dura | |
| 3 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine Promos | PWOE | 259p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Piotr Dura | |
| 4 | 2023-09-08 | Wilds of Eldraine | WOE | 305 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Alayna Danner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Restless Fortress has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Restless Fortress card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-09-01 | If this becomes a creature because of an effect other than its own ability, its last ability will still trigger whenever it attacks. |
| 2023-09-01 | If this becomes a creature but you haven't controlled it continuously since your most recent turn began, you won't be able to activate its mana ability or attack with it that turn. |