Thornwatch Scarecrow MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Scarecrow
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	265
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chuck Lukacs

Key Takeaways

Provides consistent board presence; avoiding removal helps maintain card advantage.
Its ability for instant activation adds unexpected vigilance, offering strategic flexibility.
Demands a dedicated mana setup and other scarecrows to be effective.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Thornwatch Scarecrow has wither as long as you control a green creature. (It deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) Thornwatch Scarecrow has vigilance as long as you control a white creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thornwatch Scarecrow, while not directly a card-drawing engine, maintains card advantage through its resilience. With the capability to dodge removal regularly, it ensures that your board presence is constant, avoiding the need to commit additional cards prematurely.

Resource Acceleration: This scarecrow is a key component in decks that utilize creature typing for synergies. Its intrinsic versatility can accelerate your game plan, as it often enables you to reap the benefits from cards that rely on having a diversity of creatures in play.

Instant Speed: An aspect often overlooked with Thornwatch Scarecrow is its instant-speed activation for gaining vigilance. This can catch opponents off-guard, turning it into both an offensive and defensive asset on your field, thereby controlling the tempo of the match with just one creature.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thornwatch Scarecrow demands a specific condition to avoid being discarded, which can be burdensome if you’re short on scarecrow creatures or prefer a varied creature base.

Specific Mana Cost: The Thornwatch Scarecrow requires both generic and green mana to cast, which can be restrictive for those who are not running a deck that supports green mana efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a somewhat steep five mana value for its abilities, which may not align well with decks looking for faster or more impactful plays at that cost tier.

Reasons to Include Thornwatch Scarecrow in Your Collection

Versatility: Thornwatch Scarecrow offers versatility as it comes with a flexible casting cost and the ability to slot into multiple deck types. Its adaptability in both aggressive and control strategies makes it a wise choice for players who appreciate multifaceted cards.

Combo Potential: This scarecrow has innate synergies with decks focusing on creature types or artifact strategies. Its unique abilities can serve as a combo enabler, enhancing deck mechanisms and opening up avenues for creative gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting MTG metagame, Thornwatch Scarecrow has the potential to shine against certain popular deck archetypes. A card that can pivot roles based on the current meta can be a valuable asset for any discerning collector or player.

How to beat

Thornwatch Scarecrow is a unique artifact creature within Magic: The Gathering that can pose a challenge to overcome. With vigilance and the ability to gain deathtouch as long as you control another green creature, it’s a formidable defender that can also become a dangerous attacker. However, there are straightforward tactics you can employ to outmatch this scarecrow.

Direct removal spells are your first line of defense. Spells like Murder or Path to Exile can dispatch Thornwatch Scarecrow quickly and efficiently, bypassing its defensive capabilities. Enchantment-based removal such as Oblivion Ring also works wonders by exiling the Scarecrow without triggering any death effects it might possess.

Alternatively, you can leverage creature-based strategies. Since Thornwatch Scarecrow’s deathtouch ability is contingent on green creatures, bear in mind that diminishing green creatures on your opponent’s battlefield negates this advantage. Sweepers like Wrath of God can reset the board, leaving the Scarecrow without its vital support.

Finally, exploiting its artifact nature is another angle of attack. Artifact destruction cards such as Naturalize or Shatter can easily target and destroy Thornwatch Scarecrow, making it important to include such answers in your deck when facing artifact-heavy opponents.

Cards like Thornwatch Scarecrow

Thornwatch Scarecrow has carved out its own niche among the diverse artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other cards like Heap Doll and Myr Retriever, which also offer utility beyond being mere artifacts. Thornwatch Scarecrow provides a valuable vigilance boost to green creatures, ensuring your defenders are always on guard. Heap Doll, in contrast, sacrifices itself to exile a card from a graveyard, a more situational ability.

Another comparison can be drawn with Scuttlemutt, which also has the advantage of being color-flexible and offers mana fixing capabilities. However, it does not impact the combat abilities of your other creatures. Thornwatch Scarecrow, with its potentially game-long advantage, could be more preferable for decks heavy on green creatures looking to maintain a strong defensive stance without tapping.

When evaluating Thornwatch Scarecrow against its peers, it’s apparent that the scarecrow’s unique vigilance offering to a specific color sets it apart, particularly beneficial in decks that capitalize on creature readiness and combat superiority. Its blend of defense and versatility makes it a worthy consideration for players who value guard over graveyard manipulation or mana diversity.

Cards similar to Thornwatch Scarecrow by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thornwatch Scarecrow 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 Thornwatch Scarecrow and other MTG cards: