Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery — Adventure |
| Released | 2023-10-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Wilds of Eldraine |
| Set code | YWOE |
| Number | 25 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Adventure |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Steve Prescott |
Key Takeaways
- Offers dual modes for both strong defense and unexpected aggression, fitting various in-game situations.
- The need to discard for Harried Dash mode can be a significant trade-off, affecting hand size.
- Mana-specific requirements may limit deck inclusion, but its versatility can justify the cost.
Text of card
Create a 1/1 white Rabbit creature token. It gains haste until end of turn.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash provides a unique twist on card advantage by offering two sides to choose from. When the situation calls for it, flipping to Harried Dash may place opponents on the back foot by introducing unexpected variables into play.
Resource Acceleration: With Harried Dash, you’re not only accelerating your battlefield presence but potentially setting up powerful future plays. This side of the card prioritizes swift action, enabling strategies that capitalize on quick resource exploitation.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed plays can’t be overstated. Steady Tortoise allows you to react to your opponent’s moves with precision, while Harried Dash equips you with the ability to spring surprises at a moment’s notice, turning the tide in your favor without telegraphing your strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One aspect of Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash that can pose a challenge is the necessity to discard a card. This mechanic might force hard decisions, especially when holding key pieces for your strategy. Depleting your own hand can be risky, as it may leave you with fewer options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s need for specific mana colors to cast can be restrictive. Players running multicolor decks might find it challenging to meet the mana requirements, limiting the card’s flexibility and potentially causing delays in your gameplay.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of mana efficiency, Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash’s casting cost might be considered steep relative to its prowess. The mana investment could impede your tempo, especially against decks that are aiming to outpace you with lower-cost cards that deliver similar or better value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Steady Tortoise adds a reliable blocker to your game, which can be pivotal in stalling aggressive opponents. Its adaptability shines in decks that aim to establish a strong defensive groundwork.
Combo Potential: Harried Dash offers the possibility to surprise your adversary with a quick swing, which can be a decisive move when combined with cards that have effects when a creature deals combat damage.
Meta-Relevance: Whether you’re facing down fast-paced aggro or trying to outpace control decks, having Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash in your arsenal offers a flexible approach to adjusting your strategy mid-game to keep pace with the evolving battlefield.
How to beat
Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash presents itself as a two-sided card, offering MTG players a strategic choice that can adapt to the pace of the game. When up against Steady Tortoise, it’s key to capitalize on its slower side that seeks to build up a formidable defense over time. Keep the pressure with swift, aggressive strategies that make it difficult for your opponent to comfortably reach their defensive stance. Prioritizing the removal of this card before it flips or ramps into Harried Dash is essential.
As for Harried Dash, the pace quickens and the card aims to run through defenses with its haste capability. In this situation, holding back instant removal spells or creatures with flash can surprise your opponent, neutralizing the threat before it inflicts significant damage. Flexibility in your playstyle is crucial, and adapting to the dual nature of this card is the path to overcoming it.
Given its transformative nature, timing your responses and maintaining a versatile hand is paramount. By employing these tactics, you establish control over the dual aspects of Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash and navigate your way to a well-deserved victory in your MTG matches.
Cards like Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash
The intricate strategies of Magic: The Gathering are underscored by cards like Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash. In terms of providing sustained board presence, Steady Tortoise parallels the stalwart Selesnya Sentry. Both are known for their defensive prowess, but the Tortoise // Harried Dash card offers a unique versatility with its transformative ability into Harried Dash. This duality allows for a swift shift in tactics from defensive to aggressive.
Looking at another comparison, we encounter the card Hydrosurge, which can alter the tide of battle by weakening an opponent’s creature. However, it lacks the element of surprise and adaptability that the Tortoise // Harried Dash provides through its two modalities. Then comes Skittering Skirge, offering an aggressive posture from the onset but at the cost of sacking a land, unlike the Tortoise // Harried Dash which offers the flexibility to switch to a more aggressive mode when circumstances permit, without a steep upfront cost.
To sum up, the Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash carves out its niche within the dual-purpose cards of Magic: The Gathering. Its capacity to adapt to the ebb and flow of the game sets it apart, making it a valuable asset for players who favor tactical versatility on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Steady Tortoise // Harried Dash has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |