Stalactite Stalker MTG Card


Provides card advantage with evolving abilities and counters manipulation synergy. Versatile in any tribe, aiding strategies that revolve around resource acceleration. Exploits instant-speed interactions, despite not being an instant itself.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Rogue
Abilities Menace
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Menace At the beginning of your end step, if you descended this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Stalactite Stalker. , Sacrifice Stalactite Stalker: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is Stalactite Stalker's power.


Cards like Stalactite Stalker

Stalactite Stalker from Magic: The Gathering is a unique creature card that finds its place amidst other deceptive powerhouses. With its variable power and toughness determined by the number of lands you control, it echoes the essence of the Territorial Baloth, which gains strength whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control. Each of these creatures can become massive threats if left unchecked.

Delving further, we encounter the Groundbreaker Baloth, which shares a similar land-centric power boost. Both cards can exploit a well-curated land base, but the Stalactite Stalker offers a more persistent and potentially higher power and toughness increase. Comparatively, the Groundbreaker Baloth requires a landfall trigger, thus relying on incremental growth.

When evaluating these cards, Stalactite Stalker stands out within Magic: The Gathering due to its consistent growth potential and capacity to become an imminent danger as the game progresses. Its similarity with others in its category underscores its value in decks focusing on land synergies and ramp strategies.

Territorial Baloth - MTG Card versions
Territorial Baloth - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stalactite Stalker by color, type and mana cost

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Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Dead - MTG Card versions
Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
Bog Rats - MTG Card versions
Sewer Rats - MTG Card versions
Muck Rats - MTG Card versions
Vebulid - MTG Card versions
Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Carrion Rats - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Dark Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Bile Urchin - MTG Card versions
Rimebound Dead - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions
Nightshade Stinger - MTG Card versions
Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Dead - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Stalactite Stalker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Golgari ScamGolgari Scam LegacyGolgari ScamLegacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05
Mono-Black ScamMono-Black Scam LegacyMono-Black ScamLegacy League 2024-04-30
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange StandardRakdos MidrangeStandard Challenge 32 2024-05-18 (1)
Death's ShadowDeath's Shadow LegacyDeath's ShadowLegacy Preliminary 2024-04-29 (1)
Mono-Black AggroMono-Black Aggro StandardMono-Black AggroTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: May 13, 2024
Grixis TempoGrixis Tempo LegacyGrixis TempoLegacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05
Rakdos ScamRakdos Scam LegacyRakdos ScamLegacy League 2024-05-07
GoblinsGoblins ModernGoblinsModern Challenge 64 2024-05-06
Esper StonebladeEsper Stoneblade LegacyEsper StonebladeLegacy League 2024-05-06
U/B Stalker ShadowU/B Stalker Shadow LegacyDeath's ShadowNot Quite Pro Tour Not Quite Seattle - Legacy $1K

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stalactite Stalker from the latest set gives players a significant edge. Its ability to evolve with various counter types on it not only presents a threat on the board but also synergizes with decks that manipulate counters for added benefits, thus providing a strategic card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The versatility of Stalactite Stalker allows it to adapt to resource acceleration strategies. By becoming any creature type, it can seamlessly fit in with tribes that generate additional mana or untap lands, enhancing your mana pool growth and potentially speeding up the execution of your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Stalactite Stalker is not an instant itself, its chameleon-like nature can take advantage of instant speed tribal interactions. Whether it’s gaining flash until end of turn or reacting to instant-speed spells that benefit certain creature types, this card can readily exploit such mechanics, thus allowing for flexible and unpredictable play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Stalactite Stalker demands a card discard, leaving players potentially at a resource disadvantage especially in situations where hand size is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost requires a spread of different colored mana, which may not align with decks that favor a singular color or have a slower mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher side, Stalactite Stalker competes with other creatures and spells that could provide more immediate impact or value for the same or less mana investment.


Reasons to Include Stalactite Stalker in Your Collection

Versatility: Stalactite Stalker’s unique ability to become every creature type is not only a flavorful inclusion but also allows it to adapt seamlessly across diverse deck themes. Flexibility is key in game formats like Commander, where it can easily switch roles from aggressor to essential cog in tribe-focused decks.

Combo Potential: Paired with cards that benefit from creature type synergies, Stalactite Stalker can activate a multitude of powerful combinations. Whether it’s enabling tribal bonuses or keying into specific mechanic interactions, its shape-shifting nature unlocks a suite of strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that prizes creatures with versatile roles, Stalactite Stalker can often fly under the radar until the perfect moment. Its chameleon-like capabilities make it an underappreciated asset against opponents who are not prepared for its transformative potential, offering surprising tactical advantages in both casual and competitive settings.


How to beat

Confronting the Stalactite Stalker in your Magic: The Gathering matches calls for a tactical approach. This card poses a unique challenge due to its power gaining ability, rising in strength with every artifact your opponent controls. To tackle this, prioritize removal spells that can target it regardless of its potentially high power. Cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider work well as they don’t depend on the Stalker’s power to be effective. Enchantment-based removals such as Banishing Light also offer a solution, detaining the creature without initiating combat.

Additionally, keeping the battlefield clear of artifacts will naturally limit the Stalker’s abilities. Employing cards that destroy or manage artifacts like Shatterstorm or Reclamation Sage will reduce the Stalker’s power and restrict its growth. Strategic combat decisions are also key. Blockers with deathtouch, for instance, can neutralize the Stalker despite its size. Lastly, countering it directly with a spell like Counterspell ensures that you don’t have to face this threatening creature at all. Maintain control of the artifacts and keep removal options handy, and the Stalactite Stalker will lose much of its menace.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stalactite Stalker MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Stalactite Stalker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stalactite Stalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Olivier Bernard.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3702015NormalBlackOlivier Bernard
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 1222015NormalBlackOlivier Bernard

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stalactite Stalker has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stalactite Stalker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-11-10 A permanent card is an artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, land, or planeswalker card. Tokens are not cards, and while tokens are put into the graveyard before ceasing to exist, that action doesn't count as a player having descended.
2023-11-10 Abilities that begin with "At the beginning of your end step, if you descended this turn" will trigger only once during your end step, no matter how many times you descended this turn. However, if you haven't descended this turn as your end step begins, the ability won't trigger at all. It's not possible to put a permanent card into your graveyard during the end step in time to have the ability trigger.
2023-11-10 In either case, it doesn't matter if those cards are still in that player's graveyard.
2023-11-10 Multiple cards have abilities that begin with "At the beginning of your end step, if you descended this turn." These cards don't need to have been under your control at the time you descended. For example, if a permanent card is put into your graveyard during your first main phase and you cast Stalactite Stalker your second main phase, its ability will trigger at the beginning of your end step.
2023-11-10 Some cards refer to a player who has "descended this turn." This means that a permanent card has been put into that player's graveyard from anywhere this turn.
2023-11-10 Some cards refer to the number of times a player descended this turn. Those cards care about the number of permanent cards put into that player's graveyard from anywhere this turn.
2023-11-10 Stalactites are the ones that hang from the ceilings of caves. You might be thinking of stalagmites.
2023-11-10 Use Stalactite Stalker's power as it last existed on the battlefield to determine the value of X.