Shifting Wall MTG Card

Shifting Wall provides game adaptability, effectively aiding both offensive and defensive tactics with its variable size. Instant speed casting enhances strategic flexibility, allowing for opportunistic plays and mana efficiency. The card’s versatility is unmatched, being suitable for various decks and easily integrated into multiple strategies.

Stronghold (STH)
1998-03-02 - Number 140

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number STH-140

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Wall
Abilities	Defender
Power	0
Toughness	0

Text of card

Shifting Wall counts as a Wall. (Walls cannot attack.) Shifting Wall comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it.

"You'd almost think Volrath doesn't want me here." —Gerrard

Cards like Shifting Wall

The Shifting Wall card in Magic the Gathering offers versatility that few other cards can match. Its unique attribute lies in its ability to enter the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the mana spent to cast it. This allows it to scale in power and toughness throughout the game. When we compare it to other wall cards, such as Wall of Omens or Wall of Blossoms, Shifting Wall stands out for its scalability, while the others offer card draw upon entering the battlefield but have fixed defenses.

Surveying the landscape of scalable cards further, we encounter Steel Overseer, a card that can consistently add +1/+1 counters to artifact creatures you control but requires a turn activation. While Steel Overseer interacts with multiple creatures, Shifting Wall’s advantage is in its immediate impact on the board based on the mana investment when played. Then there’s Endless One, which parallels Shifting Wall’s flexibility in size. Yet Shifting Wall, being an artifact creature, can be fetched with a wider range of card interactions within the game.

When evaluating the adaptability and utility these cards provide, Shifting Wall’s straightforward but potentially large presence offers a dynamic approach to creature management in Magic the Gathering that is especially useful for decks focusing on artifact synergies or those needing a variable blocker.

Cards similar to Shifting Wall by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shifting Wall stands out for its flexibility in a game, enabling the player to manipulate the board state to their advantage without committing to a specific strategy immediately. This versatility can indirectly contribute to card advantage by requiring answers from your opponents more often than not.

Resource Acceleration: As a card that scales with your available mana, Shifting Wall can act as a form of resource acceleration. It allows you to utilize all your available mana efficiently, regardless of the game stage, effectively converting leftover mana each turn into potential defense or offence.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Shifting Wall’s zero casting cost offers an instant-like flexibility. You can play it at the end of your opponent’s turn if you’ve kept mana open for other plays. This ensures you’re always deploying resources effectively, with the ability to adjust your board presence at a moment’s notice.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shifting Wall can force players to discard other potential plays. This isn’t ideal when your hand is full of key cards you need to maintain a tactical advantage on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: While Shifting Wall can be cast for any type of mana, it requires a precise amount to be effective. This can be problematic when you need to manage your mana pool for a variety of spells, especially in multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the toughness it provides, Shifting Wall may demand a high mana investment. In some instances, this can be inefficient compared to other creature cards that offer more utility or power at a lower mana cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shifting Wall stands out due to its ability to fit seamlessly into any deck color, as it requires no specific mana to cast. Its scalability makes it extremely useful for adjusting strategies on the fly and supporting various deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: As a creature with X in its casting cost, Shifting Wall has innate synergy with cards that exploit creature toughness. This unique trait enables numerous combo opportunities, presenting intriguing possibilities for those who enjoy crafting intricate plays.

Meta-Relevance: Against decks that are heavy on removal, Shifting Wall can act as a worthwhile investment that adjusts to the ever-changing battlefield. In metas dominated by toughness-based mechanics, this card’s functionality can turn the tide in your favor.

How to beat

Shifting Wall stands out as a wall with an intriguing twist, offering a scalable toughness based on the mana invested during its cast. One critical strategy to overcome this card lies in targeted removal that circumvents its changeable size. Spells capable of destroying or exiling a creature without considering its toughness, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, can outmaneuver the resilience of Shifting Wall.

Another effective tactic involves manipulating combat math to your advantage. Utilizing combat tricks or abilities that either reduce the Wall’s toughness or boost your creatures’ power can swiftly tilt the battlefield in your favor. Take advantage of cards that offer flying or trample to bypass the Wall and press the attack directly against your opponent. This provides you with a means to circumvent the stalwart defender.

The adaptability of Shifting Wall might make it a formidable obstruction, but employing the right strategies and removal options can assure its downfall. By focusing on these approaches, you can dismantle the Wall and clear the path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shifting Wall MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold 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 Shifting Wall and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shifting Wall Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 1998-03-02. Illustrated by Michael Sutfin.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1998-03-02	Stronghold	STH		140	1997	Normal	Black	Michael Sutfin
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		STH-140	1997	Normal	Black	Michael Sutfin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shifting Wall has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal