Barrenton Cragtreads MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Kithkin Scout
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	138
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daren Bader

Key Takeaways

Can overpower smaller creatures, maintaining board presence and reducing opponent’s numbers.
Works well with cards that untap lands, boosting mana for significant early-game plays.
Instant speed synergy allows unexpected combat interactions and end-turn advantages.

Text of card

Barrenton Cragtreads can't be blocked by red creatures.

"Boggarts are easy to get around. Just toss some mutton in another direction. Giants are a little harder. You have to be quick to avoid their steps. Cinders are the difficult ones, but even they have fears to be exploited."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barrenton Cragtreads can potentially generate card advantage by overpowering smaller creatures in battle, thus maintaining your board presence while thinning out your opponent’s.

Resource Acceleration: This card, when combined with abilities or spells that untap lands or creatures, can significantly boost your mana pool, leading to faster and more impactful plays earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: Its potential synergy with instant speed spells or abilities can be a tactical advantage, enabling surprise interactions during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Barrenton Cragtreads demands a card to be discarded upon activation. This can set players back, especially in tight situations where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a precise combination of mana, including one white mana, which could hinder deck flexibility and may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher end for its effects, players may find Barrenton Cragtreads less appealing when other cards provide similar benefits at a lower cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Barrenton Cragtreads can adapt to various playstyles, making it a fitting choice for decks that need durable blockers or attackers that can consistently bypass lines of smaller creatures.

Combo Potential: Its synergy with cards that care about the number of creatures you control or those that trigger upon attacking offers interesting combination opportunities, allowing for flexible tactical plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment with prevalent token strategies or where evading blockers is crucial, Barrenton Cragtreads’ unaffected ability by creature powers 2 or less makes it a compelling and strategic addition to your arsenal.

How to beat

Barrenton Cragtreads may seem intimidating at first glance with its potential to become a substantial blocker in the game. This creature card can have a significant presence on the battlefield, limiting your aggressive strategies. However, there are several effective approaches to surpass the terrains that the Cragtreads call home. Direct removal spells are the most straightforward tactic. Spells that specifically say “destroy target creature” make short work of the Cragtreads, bypassing any protective abilities they may possess.

Furthermore, combat tricks can turn the tide in your favor. Utilizing spells that give your creatures a temporary boost in power or evasion abilities can overcome the Cragtreads’ defensive position. Cards that provide flying or trample, for example, allow your attackers to ignore the Cragtreads’ ground-based defense altogether. Additionally, choosing cards that alter combat math, like those granting first strike or deathtouch, can help your creatures outmatch the Cragtreads in battle. And let’s not forget about the potential of exile effects. Any ability that can exile Barrenton Cragtreads from the battlefield ensures they can’t be a recurring nuisance.

Taking everything into account, with the right deck adjustments and strategy, Barrenton Cragtreads becomes less of a stumbling block and more of a surmountable challenge on your journey to victory.

Cards like Barrenton Cragtreads

Barrenton Cragtreads has found its niche among the creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, especially when considering cards with comparable abilities and stats. When we look at a card like Borderland Ranger, we see a similar exploration of the card fetch mechanic. Both allow you to grab a basic land card, ensuring you don’t miss a land drop. The Cragtreads, though, offer greater endurance on the battlefield with their sturdier defensive capabilities.

Another peer in this space is Civic Wayfinder, a creature that also lets you seek out that essential land. However, the Cragtreads standout with their slightly higher toughness, making them a more formidable blocker. Still, it’s worth noting that Civic Wayfinder’s ability to fetch a land is unconditional, while Barrenton Cragtreads requires you to have used another land’s ability this turn to trigger its own.

Assessing their place in a land-centric strategy, Barrenton Cragtreads are a reliable pick due to their synergy with landfall mechanics and their utility in ensuring land consistency. They represent a strong choice, balancing their land-fetching utility with a robust presence on the board.

Cards similar to Barrenton Cragtreads by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barrenton Cragtreads MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Barrenton Cragtreads and other MTG cards: