Soilshaper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 243 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Thomas M. Baxa |
Text of card
Whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, target land becomes a 3/3 creature until end of turn. It's still a land.
It spoke with the voice of nature, but its words were curses spat upon humankind.
Cards like Soilshaper
Soilshaper makes for an intriguing option among the array of mana-ability enhancers in Magic: The Gathering. It holds a kinship with cards like Earthcraft, which also allows for the untapping of creatures to generate mana. Although Earthcraft provides a more universal application by untapping any creature, Soilshaper brings its own twist by specifically transforming lands into 3/3 creatures until the end of turn when you use its mana-generating ability.
Growing Rites of Itlimoc is another card that resonates with Soilshaper’s mana-acceleration theme. While Itlimoc transforms into a land that can produce vast amounts of mana depending on the number of creatures you control, Soilshaper leans towards flexibility, allowing lands to become potent offensive or defensive tools albeit temporarily. Then there’s Nissa, Who Shakes the World, a planeswalker whose static ability doubles your mana from Forests. This specific interaction doesn’t shape the battlefield as directly as Soilshaper does, but it does offer a significant boost to your mana pool.
When evaluating the field of mana-focused cards, Soilshaper provides a unique dual-role advantage, meshing land animation with mana ramp, setting a distinct position for itself within Magic: The Gathering’s diverse card spectrum.
Cards similar to Soilshaper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Soilshaper has the impressive ability to provide card advantage by potentially transforming lands into creatures with power and toughness equal to the number of lands you control. This can turn even the most undeveloped board state into a formidable threat, giving a boost to your in-game resources.
Resource Acceleration: This unique card can also serve as resource acceleration by altering the state of your lands. With the right setup, you can catapult ahead in resource generation, turning your lands into creatures that still tap for mana, thus potentially doubling their utility.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Soilshaper’s effect at instant speed grants players the versatility to surprise opponents by creating blockers or attackers outside the usual pacing of the game. This can be strategically significant, allowing for flexible responses to the unfolding game and improved board control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Soilshaper necessitates a card discard to activate its ability. This can set you back when attempting to retain hand advantage or if the game situation requires holding onto all your resources.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes green and white, Soilshaper may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks that do not run these specific colors, potentially affecting deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana – one green, one white, and one of any color – Soilshaper’s impact on the board may not be as significant when considering the cost, especially when compared to other options that may provide more immediate or powerful effects for the same or lower investment.
Reasons to Include Soilshaper Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: Soilshaper seamlessly integrates into various deck styles, particularly those that gain an advantage from transforming lands into creatures, either to fortify defenses or to catch an opponent off-guard with an unexpected attacker.
Combo Potential: The ability of Soilshaper to animate lands opens up avenues for synergy with landfall abilities or effects that capitalize on having numerous creatures on the battlefield. Deck builders can explore creative combinations that can capitalize on the dynamic nature of animated lands.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that emphasizes landscape manipulation or where creatures can benefit from being temporarily turned into lands for protection or other reasons, Soilshaper aligns well with strategies that could influence the current competitive environment.
How to beat
Soilshaper is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that has the potential to influence the battlefield with its land animation ability. When assessing the strengths of Soilshaper, one notes the transformative nature of the card, which can temporarily turn your lands into creatures to either defend or apply pressure on opponents. However, this magical terrain manipulation can be countered by focusing on timing and removal tactics.
Firstly, instant speed removal spells are key when faced with this shape-shifting card. Acting in response to the land animation ability allows a player to remove the land before it can be used as a creature. Secondly, global creature removal spells can cripple your opponent’s efforts by clearing multiple animated lands at once, diminishing their offensive or defensive plans. It’s also beneficial to employ enchantment removal or direct damage to Soilshaper itself, thus negating its ability entirely and preventing any further land-to-creature conversion. Utilizing these strategies effectively will neutralize Soilshaper’s impact and maintain control of the battlefield.
Magic: The Gathering players must stay vigilant, anticipate the timing of Soilshaper’s activations, and always be ready with an answer to the terraforming mage-tricks this card brings into play.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Soilshaper MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Soilshaper 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Soilshaper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Soilshaper card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | A noncreature permanent that turns into a creature can attack, and its abilities can be activated, only if its controller has continuously controlled that permanent since the beginning of their most recent turn. It doesn’t matter how long the permanent has been a creature. |