Smelt-Ward Minotaur MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Minotaur Warrior |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 116 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wisnu Tan |
Text of card
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, target creature an opponent controls can't block this turn.
"Don't arrest him—enlist him!" —Commander Yaszen
Cards like Smelt-Ward Minotaur
Smelt-Ward Minotaur stands out in the pantheon of red creatures in Magic: The Gathering due to its penchant for controlling the battlefield. In a similar bracket, we have cards like Ember Hauler, which offers solid creature removal albeit at the cost of sacrificing itself. The strategic depth of Smelt-Ward Minotaur lies in its ability to consistently disable a blocker whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, thus clearing the path for other attackers without the need for self-sacrifice.
Another comparable card is Bloodrage Brawler, a creature that sets players on an aggressive path due to its high power and low casting cost. It compels a discard upon entry, aligning with red’s theme of immediacy and impact. However, Smelt-Ward Minotaur doesn’t demand a discard, focusing instead on strategic combat engagement. Then there’s Ahn-Crop Crasher, with exertion to prevent blocking, offering a one-time use per exertion as opposed to Smelt-Ward’s repeatable effect.
In weighing the capabilities and utilities of Smelt-Ward Minotaur against these cards, the Minotaur’s persistent capacity to manipulate combat phases makes it a potent choice for players crafting a deck around spell-slinging and tactical aggression in creature-based strategies.
Cards similar to Smelt-Ward Minotaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Smelt-Ward Minotaur doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to enable repeated creature removal through combat can result in a favorable board state, tipping the balance of card advantage in your favor over time.
Resource Acceleration: Smelt-Ward Minotaur’s presence on the battlefield can be a form of resource acceleration. Although it doesn’t provide mana or tokens, its ability to make an opponent’s creature unable to block for a turn can lead to faster victories, effectively saving resources you might otherwise spend on clearing a path for your attackers.
Instant Speed: While the Smelt-Ward Minotaur itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with instant speed spells. Casting instants that trigger its ability before the declare blockers step can catch your opponent off guard, allowing you to swing in for possibly unblocked damage and asserting pressure with strategic, time-sensitive plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Smelt-Ward Minotaur is that its prowess ability necessitates the player to discard a card to activate it. This can be particularly challenging when players are trying to maintain a full hand for strategic play or if they’ve already expended their resources and have a minimal selection of cards from which to discard.
Specific Mana Cost: Smelt-Ward Minotaur requires both generic and red mana to cast, which can be restrictive for multicolor decks that might struggle to meet the red mana condition. This might limit the card’s playability outside of mono-red or red-focused decks, reducing its versatility in various MTG formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, which includes one red, Smelt-Ward Minotaur may be considered somewhat costly for its 2/3 stats and given abilities. When you consider the plethora of creatures and spells available in MTG, there are options that might offer more aggressive stats or impactful abilities at a similar or lower mana cost, providing players with more efficient alternatives for the same mana investment.
Reasons to Include Smelt-Ward Minotaur in Your Collection
Versatility: Smelt-Ward Minotaur can be a dynamic addition to any red deck that prizes aggressive strategies. Its ability to lock down potential blockers by casting a spell makes it a good fit for spell-heavy decks, enabling your other creatures to press the attack with fewer obstacles.
Combo Potential: This minotaur shines when paired with cheap instants and sorceries. Its ability to prevent a creature from blocking that turn can create unexpected openings and synergizes well with prowess or spell-slinger decks looking to optimize every cast.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta swarming with creature-based decks, Smelt-Ward Minotaur offers an offensive tactic that disrupts your opponent’s defensive line. Its relevance increases in environments where combat interactions are pivotal to securing victory.
How to beat Smelt-Ward Minotaur
Smelt-Ward Minotaur poses an intriguing challenge within Magic: The Gathering, bringing a unique blend of aggression and creature control to the battlefield. With the ability to make target creature unable to block whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, this minotaur presents a constant threat in any red deck focused on spell-slinging. To adeptly manage this threat, it’s essential to either neutralize the Minotaur swiftly or mitigate its impact through strategic creature placement.
Key tactics include employing removal spells that can bypass the Minotaur’s potential instant-speed triggers, such as “Fatal Push” or “Path to Exile”. Another effective strategy is using creatures with “reach” or “flash”, allowing you to block or eliminate the creature even if it attempts to disrupt your blocking plan. Additionally, keeping pressure with your own creatures can force your opponent to make defensive plays, thus reducing the Minotaur’s offensive capabilities.
Ultimately, understanding the timing of your spells and preserving key resources to deal with Smelt-Ward Minotaur is paramount. By balancing precise removal and tactical creature play, players can contain this battlefield manipulator and maintain control over the game’s pacing and flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Smelt-Ward Minotaur MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Smelt-Ward Minotaur 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Smelt-Ward Minotaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Smelt-Ward Minotaur card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | Resolving Smelt-Ward Minotaur’s triggered ability after a creature has blocked won’t remove the blocking creature from combat or cause the creature it blocked to become unblocked. |
| 2018-10-05 | Smelt-Ward Minotaur’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered. |