Stonebinder's Familiar MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit Dog |
| Released | 2021-04-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Strixhaven: School of Mages |
| Set code | STX |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 31 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Sam Rowan |
Text of card
Whenever one or more cards are put into exile during your turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Stonebinder's Familiar. This ability triggers only once each turn.
"Hey, my great-great-grandfather had a dog just like that!" —Dradiel, Lorehold mage-student
Cards like Stonebinder's Familiar
Stonebinder’s Familiar shines within the realm of creature cards that grow as you play, finding its niche in decks focusing on spell synergy. One card to draw a comparison with is Experiment One. Although Experiment One requires creatures with +1/+1 counters to evolve and doesn’t rely on casting spells, Stonebinder’s Familiar thrives when spells targeting creatures are played, particularly those that exile.
Duskwatch Recruiter is another one worth mentioning. It provides a different utility by letting you look for creatures in your deck, yet it can also transform into a werewolf that reduces creature spell costs. However, Stonebinder’s Familiar stays consistent in its ability to bolster itself whenever a corresponding spell impacts the board. Adanto Vanguard, while not directly comparable in the growth aspect, offers a measure of resilience by being able to gain indestructible, which can be crucial in specific game scenarios.
Evaluating these counterparts, Stonebinder’s Familiar is a valuable piece specifically in decks tailored to casting lots of spells. Its potential to grow quickly and become a significant threat makes it a contender in creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stonebinder’s Familiar shines in decks that leverage a lot of scrying, surveilling, or graveyard shuffling effects. Each activity that peeks or modifies the library, while not directly drawing cards, effectively filters future draws, indirectly translating to a form of card advantage by ensuring you draw into more valuable cards as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Through consistent triggers from the graveyard interaction, Stonebinder’s Familiar can progressively grow in power. This steady growth isn’t just a creature getting bigger; it’s a way to accelerate your resource in terms of board presence and potential damage output without spending additional mana on buffs or counters.
Instant Speed: While Stonebinder’s Familiar isn’t an instant itself, it profits from instant speed spells that interact with the graveyard. This synergy allows the Familiar to capitalize on spells cast during your opponents’ turns, bolstering its strength out of nowhere, making it a more daunting blocker or a surprise aggressor on your next attack.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Stonebinder’s Familiar to truly shine, it needs to be paired with mechanics that involve discarding or exiling from the graveyard. Players might not always have the right setup to take full advantage of its ability, which can lead to inconsistent performance.
Specific Mana Cost: While its cost isn’t particularly restrictive, Stonebinder’s Familiar does require one white mana. This can be slightly limiting since it necessitates white mana in the early game, potentially affecting deck building choices for those who wish to optimize its use.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a two-mana cost isn’t exorbitant, in a game where efficiency is key, there are other options at the two-mana slot that could compete for attention, offering more immediate or impactful effects on the game state without the need for additional setup.
Reasons to Include Stonebinder’s Familiar in Your Collection
Versatility: Stonebinder’s Familiar thrives in decks that are teeming with planeswalkers or a plethora of graveyard interactions. Its ability to grow quickly makes it a formidable creature in various deck archetypes, adapting seamlessly to different playstyles.
Combo Potential: This card can become a significant threat when combined with cards that exile from graveyards frequently. Every time you activate an ability that exiles cards from a graveyard, Stonebinder’s Familiar gets stronger, turning it into a key piece in synergy-driven strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard-based strategies are prevalent, this card offers an edge by not only benefiting from your graveyard interactions but also from your opponents’, making it a savvy inclusion to stay competitive.
How to beat
Stonebinder’s Familiar can be a subtly potent creature in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to grow whenever a spell or ability an opponent controls causes them to exile cards. This familiar can quickly become a significant threat if left unchecked. To counter Stonebinder’s Familiar effectively, it is essential to either prevent the creature from hitting the board or manage it promptly once it does.
Removal spells are an excellent strategy against this creature. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Familiar before it gets out of hand. Alternately, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field if the Familiar has already grown. Timing is key against Stonebinder’s Familiar. For a more long-term solution, utilizing cards that grant hexproof to your cards or to yourself, such as Shalai, Voice of Plenty, can hinder its ability to benefit from exiled cards.
Ultimately, when faced with Stonebinder’s Familiar, proactive resource management and decisive action will keep this potentially escalating threat in check and maintain the balance on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stonebinder's Familiar MTG card by a specific set like Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Stonebinder's Familiar 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 Stonebinder's Familiar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |