Strangleroot Geist MTG Card
2012-01-28 - Number 127
2012-02-03 - Number 127
2002-06-24 - Number 43513
2020-09-26 - Number DKA-127
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Haste,Undying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Haste Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Cards like Strangleroot Geist
Strangleroot Geist is a staple for green aggro decks in MTG thanks to its resilience and aggressive nature. A comparison naturally aligns it with Young Wolf, another creature with the undying mechanic. Like Strangleroot Geist, Young Wolf returns to the battlefield after dying, but Strangleroot Geist is faster on the attack with double the power. The Geist also shares its undying trait with Butcher Ghoul, though it again stands out with increased combat prowess and the ability to deliver swift damage.
Regarding two-drops with lasting board presence, Reassembling Skeleton and Bloodsoaked Champion are noteworthy. Unlike Strangleroot Geist, they require mana investment to return from the graveyard, yet they offer indefinite recursion. Despite such differences, Strangleroot Geist’s efficient self-reanimation and immediate impact make it a formidable player on the battleground, offering that balance of aggression and persistence green decks highly value.
When considering creature efficiency and resilience in MTG, Strangleroot Geist emerges as a prominent option within its niche, ensuring it can attack quickly and return to the fray even after a skirmish, solidifying its place in decks aiming to put pressure on the opponent.
Cards similar to Strangleroot Geist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Strangleroot Geist provides continuous board presence due to its undying ability, which lets the creature return to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter after it dies, assuming it had no +1/+1 counters on it. This feature enables players to maintain pressure on the opponent without having to expend additional cards from hand.
Resource Acceleration: With a low casting cost of only two green mana, Strangleroot Geist accelerates your offensive capabilities early in the game. The quick deployment can often lead to an early resource advantage as your opponent is forced to react to the pressure.
Instant Speed: While Strangleroot Geist isn’t an instant itself, the immediate impact it has upon entering the battlefield and its return via the undying mechanic often forces opponents to use their instant-speed removal prematurely, which can disrupt their strategies and provide you with an indirect tempo advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Strangleroot Geist doesn’t directly require you to discard cards, managing your hand effectively becomes critical as you’ll need to ensure that you’re not sacrificing crucial spells for its undying mechanic to really shine.
Specific Mana Cost: Strangleroot Geist demands a green mana-intensive investment, necessitating two green mana to cast. This can potentially restrict its inclusion in multi-colored decks that may not always have ready access to the requisite green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to two-drops, Strangleroot Geist faces stiff competition. In a format teeming with powerful two-mana creatures, its cost may sometimes overshadow its benefit, especially in decks that aim for peak mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include Strangleroot Geist in Your Collection
Versatility: Strangleroot Geist is an adaptable card that can enhance a variety of green decks with its resilience. Its undying ability ensures it sticks around, coming back stronger after being dealt with the first time.
Combo Potential: This two-drop can effectively be used in aggressive strategies, pairing well with sacrifice mechanics or as a persistent threat that benefits from +1/+1 counters and death-triggered abilities.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to withstand removal and come back for a second round, Strangleroot Geist remains relevant in metas where creature-based strategies are prevalent. It serves as a persistent board threat that can keep pace with ever-changing game states.
How to beat
Strangleroot Geist stands out in Magic the Gathering due to its inherent resilience derived from the undying mechanic. This two-mana green creature can be a real nuisance, as it returns to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter after it dies, presuming it didn’t already have one. Overcoming this regenerative threat requires strategic play.
Controlling the battle against Strangleroot Geist benefits greatly from exile effects or spells that don’t directly destroy but rather shuffle creatures into libraries. Cards like Path to Exile, for instance, ensure that once the Geist is dealt with, it doesn’t come back. Alternatively, using bounce spells to return the creature to its owner’s hand bypasses the undying trigger and can put your opponent at a tempo disadvantage. The key lies in avoiding standard destruction spells which would only make Strangleroot Geist stronger upon its inevitable return.
Understanding the dynamics of the undying mechanic and leveraging the right spells could mean the difference between victory and defeat when facing this persistent entity. By manipulating the flow of the game and your opponent’s resources, you can turn the tide in your favor despite Strangleroot Geist’s seeming immortality.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Strangleroot Geist MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dark Ascension Promos, 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 Strangleroot Geist 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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Printings
The Strangleroot Geist Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-01-28 and 2012-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43513 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Erica Yang | ||
| 2 | 2012-01-28 | Dark Ascension Promos | PDKA | 127 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Erica Yang | |
| 3 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 127 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | DKA-127 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Erica Yang |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Strangleroot Geist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |