Spined Thopter MTG Card
2011-05-13 - Number 45
2020-09-26 - Number NPH-45
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Thopter |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
({PU} can be paid with either or 2 life.) Flying
"I appreciate the depravity of noble designs turned to devious ends." —Tezzeret
Cards like Spined Thopter
Spined Thopter is a unique artifact creature that has carved out its niche in Magic: The Gathering. Flight is a precious ability on creatures, and Spined Thopter offers this with its inherent flying trait, making it akin to other nimble fliers like Thopter Spy Network’s creations. The Spined Thopter costs three mana and has a notable phyrexian mana option, giving players flexibility in casting it by either paying life or mana.
Comparatively, cards such as Hovermyr also possess flying and come with a similarly low mana cost, but they lack the option to use life as a resource for casting. Meanwhile, cards like Vault Skirge bring a lifelink attribute to the battlefield in addition to flight, offering a different kind of utility and survivability for players who may prioritize life gain strategies within their decks.
In essence, Spined Thopter stands out for its adaptable mana cost and the strategic advantages it provides. Whether builders favor swarming tactics with numerous flying creatures or they incorporate it into artifact synergy-focused decks, Spined Thopter remains a versatile choice among its aerially-abled counterparts in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Spined Thopter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spined Thopter offers a straightforward pathway to increase your aerial threats, implicitly pressuring your opponent while subtly shifting the balance of card utility in your favor. It’s an efficient way to populate the board and extend your reach within the game.
Resource Acceleration: With an affordable phyrexian mana cost, Spined Thopter can be rapidly deployed without hindering your mana development. This accelerates your board presence, allowing you to conserve resources for more critical plays as the match progresses.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Spined Thopter complements a deck strategy that favors instant-speed interactions. Its mere presence forces opponents to play more cautiously, fearing potential instant speed shenanigans that can disrupt their battle plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unfortunately, Spined Thopter doesn’t come onto the field solely on its own merits. Instead, it arrives with the prerequisite of a discard action, which may deplete your hand of valuable cards, potentially leaving you at a strategic disadvantage if your resources are already waning.
Specific Mana Cost: Spined Thopter’s casting cost necessitates a precise blend of mana, which includes blue mana. This could pose a restriction for decks that do not run blue or multicolored assortments, thus limiting its widespread playability across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at a total of three mana for a 2/1 flyer may not be the most cost-effective tradeoff, especially when you consider other competitive options in the card pool. There are numerous creatures and spells at similar or lower mana values that may offer a more impactful board presence or versatility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spined Thopter offers a colorless flying creature option that can be slotted into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to take to the skies gives it an edge in both offense and defense, providing important board control.
Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, Spined Thopter has synergies in decks that capitalize on artifact and creature strategies. This could include triggering effects when artifacts enter the battlefield or utilizing its artifact type for improvise and affinity costs.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Spined Thopter’s low casting cost coupled with its flying ability makes it a solid choice. It can quickly become an evasive threat that’s hard to block, pressuring opponents early in the game.
How to Beat Spined Thopter
When you’re up against Spined Thopter, a nimble artifact creature that can be a thorn in your side due to its flying ability, strategizing becomes key. In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, dealing with flying creatures requires specific responses. For instance, ground-based creatures can’t block flyers, so you’ll need to have creatures with reach or utilize spells that can target flying threats. Cards like Giant Spider are fundamental for defense, offering an affordable and effective method to intercept foes like the Spined Thopter.
Equally effective are instant-speed removal spells. Consider options like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat for swift and clean elimination of threatening air units. Since Spined Thopter has a notable reliance on artifacts, artifact removal like Abrade or Shatter can be doubly impactful, ridding you of the threat while potentially disrupting your opponent’s broader game plan. Such strategies promote a robust defense and can pivot the course of the duel in your favor.
Overall, a duel against Spined Thopter demands tactical flexibility. Incorporating reach-based creatures and removal spells in your arsenal ensures you have the upper hand—regardless of whether you’re traversing the skies or commanding the ground.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spined Thopter MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia 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 Spined Thopter and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Spined Thopter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2011-05-13. Illustrated by Pete Venters.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-05-13 | New Phyrexia | NPH | 45 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | NPH-45 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spined Thopter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spined Thopter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid. |
| 2011-06-01 | As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X. |
| 2011-06-01 | If you’re at 1 life or less, you can’t pay 2 life. |
| 2011-06-01 | Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can’t add Phyrexian mana to their mana pools. |
| 2011-06-01 | To calculate the converted mana cost of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1. |