Soulcatcher MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 47
2014-06-06 - Number 82
2016-06-10 - Number 30
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bird Soldier |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever a creature with flying is put into a graveyard from play, put a +1/+1 counter on Soulcatcher.
"Holy couriers guide aven spirits up to the home of the Ancestor." —Mystic elder
Cards like Soulcatcher
Soulcatcher holds a unique position in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It offers a notable comparison to cards such as Tithe Taker and Hanged Executioner. These creatures share an interesting dynamic in their ability to affect the board beyond their presence. However, Soulcatcher distinguishes itself with its capacity to grow stronger whenever another flying creature meets its demise, a trait neither Tithe Taker nor Hanged Executioner possess.
In the same flight pattern, we can look at Keeper of the Nine Gales. This card also capitalizes on the presence of other flying creatures but performs differently by providing a bounce effect back to hand rather than growing in strength. Although it lacks the innate power-building ability of Soulcatcher, its control aspect can be invaluable in certain game states. Then there’s Gustcloak Savior, which provides protection to your creatures by allowing you to untap them when they become blocked. This defensive mechanism supports a different strategy, favoring combat manipulation over the accumulation of power that Soulcatcher enjoys.
To sum up, while exploring the skies across cards in MTG, Soulcatcher drives a unique strategy that rewards players for crafting a deck with a fly-high-and-die theme. Its growing prowess sets it apart, granting it a respectable niche among creatures that leverage the flying trait.
Cards similar to Soulcatcher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Soulcatcher provides a continuous opportunity to increase card value in play. Each time a flying creature dies, this card gains a +1/+1 counter, effectively boosting your offensive and defensive capabilities without the need for additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: The Soulcatcher’s thematic advantage relies not on producing mana but on its profitable synergy with sacrificial and death-triggered strategies, elevating the efficiency of your existing resources.
Instant Speed: While Soulcatcher itself isn’t an instant, its ability triggers at any time flying creatures die, which can include those instances during your opponent’s turn. This constant threat ensures that you can passively accelerate Soulcatcher’s power, even when you are playing reactively.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Soulcatcher necessitates a strategic play, as holding onto the card for the right moment is critical. Discarding a card from your hand can be a significant setback, especially when your hand size is already depleted. This can inadvertently hamstring your gameplay, leaving you at a disadvantage in pivotal turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Soulcatcher’s mana cost requires a precise blend of colored mana, which may not seamlessly integrate into all deck archetypes. Decks that don’t consistently produce white mana might find this card less accessible, restricting its universality across diverse strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at two mana, Soulcatcher might not be the most mana-efficient option available. In the grand scheme of things, the card’s effect may not always justify its cost, considering other creatures or spells could provide a greater impact for the same, or even lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Soulcatcher in Your Collection
Versatility: Soulcatcher is a card that can easily slot into flying-themed or creature-centric decks, providing a boost to your aerial forces whenever another flying creature meets its demise.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that manipulate death triggers and benefit from the strength of its effect scaling with each fallen winged comrade, setting the stage for powerful comeback plays.
Meta-Relevance: With flying creatures commonly found across various formats, Soulcatcher remains relevant in metagames where aerial superiority can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
How to beat
Understanding the dynamics of creatures like Soulcatcher is crucial when navigating the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This flying creature is noteworthy for its ability, which strengthens it whenever another creature with flying dies. To counter this, prioritize removal spells that can bypass its ability, such as those that don’t involve creatures in combat, minimizing the risk of boosting its power inadvertently.
Consider incorporating board wipes or targeted removals which do not require your creatures to enter combat. Board wipes such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God can clear the field without triggering Soulcatcher’s ability. Alternatively, spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push offer precise control, allowing you to deal with the Soulcatcher before it becomes too great a threat.
Utilizing strategies that prevent Soulcatcher’s ability from activating can be key to maintaining an upper hand. Cards that restrict abilities like Linvala, Keeper of Silence or passive ability negation through Hushbringer can mute its power gain, leaving your opponent with a weaker creature that poses less of a tactical threat during your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Soulcatcher MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Conspiracy, 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 Soulcatcher 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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Printings
The Soulcatcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 47 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 82 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Julie Dillon | |
| 3 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Julie Dillon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Soulcatcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Soulcatcher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-06-08 | If another creature with flying is dealt lethal damage at the same time as Soulcatcher, they’ll be destroyed at the same time. Soulcatcher’s ability won’t save it. |