Stormbind MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 304
1996-05-02 - Number mj304
1996-05-02 - Number et304
2006-10-06 - Number 102
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
: Discard a card at random from your hand to have Stormbind deal 2 damage to target creature or player.
"Once, our people could call down the storm itself to do our bidding." —Lovisa Coldeyes, Balduvian Chieftain
Cards like Stormbind
Stormbind is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to turn excess cards into direct damage. It shares similarities with other discard-for-effect cards, such as Seismic Assault. Like Stormbind, Seismic Assault enables discarding lands to deal damage to any target. However, where Seismic Assault requires no mana to activate, Stormbind demands a trivial two mana investment for its activation.
Comparably, Molten Vortex also enters the discourse, functioning on a similar axis by allowing land discards for damage. Though the cost is lower at a single red mana per activation, Molten Vortex deals less damage per discard, signifying a trade-off between efficiency and impact. Then we have Ayula’s Influence, which pivots the approach, turning lands into 2/2 Bear creature tokens rather than inflicting damage, proving that the strategy of converting cards in hand can be versatile.
Ultimately, Stormbind stands out among its peers for its potential burst damage and ability to make use of any card type for its effect, positioning it uniquely in MTG as a powerful tool for turning late-game stalemates into victories.
Cards similar to Stormbind by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stormbind offers a repeatable outlet for turning excess land draws into direct damage, ensuring each draw can have potential impact, even if it’s not a spell.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of acceleration, Stormbind benefits from ramp strategies, as more lands mean more ammunition to control the board or pressure life totals.
Instant Speed: The ability to convert cards into damage at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt opposing strategies at critical moments or end the game unexpectedly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Utilizing Stormbind involves the strategic discard of a card, which might deplete your hand, especially during the late game when resources are scarce and every card’s value is amplified.
Specific Mana Cost: Stormbind’s activation cost necessitates both red and green mana, thus restricting its integration exclusively in decks that can reliably generate these colors, potentially limiting deck-building creativity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Activating Stormbind’s ability commands a significant investment of two mana for just two damage. This cost might be burdensome compared to other damage-dealing options in the game that can either achieve the same effect for less or provide a greater impact for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stormbind offers a unique twist to games, allowing players to turn excess land draws into direct damage. This can be particularly effective in decks that have access to ample card draw, ensuring that every card in hand can be a potential source of damage.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Stormbind can become a cornerstone in an engine that rapidly cycles through cards for consistent damage output. Pairing it with effects that allow you to draw and discard cards can become a powerful tool for controlling the board state.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where slower, grindier strategies are common, Stormbind can provide the reach needed to close out games. It can break through stalemates and give red-green decks an alternative angle of attack, becoming a valuable asset against a variety of opposing strategies.
How to beat
Stormbind is a unique card that blends the power of discarding cards for direct damage, creating a challenge for opponents in Magic: The Gathering. Beating a Stormbind deck requires a strategic approach, focusing on limiting its core strength – the player’s hand size. Efficiently managing resources and deploying graveyard hate spells can be key. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void erase graveyard interactions, effectively neutering Stormbind’s damage potential.
Similarly, hand disruption is an effective tactic. Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek forces the Stormbind player to discard crucial cards from their hand, reducing the ammunition they have to feed into Stormbind’s ability. Enchantment removal spells such as Naturalize or Disenchant can also quickly eliminate Stormbind from play, blunting its impact on the game.
Ultimately, consistently applying pressure and maintaining control over the game’s pace can suppress a Stormbind strategy. Denying them a significant hand size and swiftly dealing with the enchantment itself positions you well in navigating and ultimately overcoming the hurdles posed by Stormbind.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stormbind MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Stormbind 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Stormbind Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 304 | 1993 | Normal | Black | NéNé Thomas & Phillip Mosness | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | mj304 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | NéNé Thomas & Phillip Mosness | |
| 3 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et304 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | NéNé Thomas & Phillip Mosness | |
| 4 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | NéNé Thomas & Phillip Mosness |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stormbind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stormbind card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Since the discard is a cost, it can’t be used with Library of Leng. |