Stromgald Cabal MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 166
1996-05-02 - Number ll166sb
1997-03-24 - Number 195
1999-04-21 - Number 157
1999-08-04 - Number js157sb
2008-09-22 - Number 113
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
oc T: Pay 1 life to counter target white spell. Effects that prevent or redirect damage cannot be used to counter this loss of life. Play this ability as an interrupt.
"Kjeldor must be supreme at any cost." —Avram Garrisson, Leader of the Knights of Stromgald
Cards like Stromgald Cabal
Stromgald Cabal has established itself as a unique member of the protective creature cards in MTG. Its likeness can be drawn to Mother of Runes, which also provides a way to shield creatures from specific colors. Where Stromgald Cabal requires a cost to manipulate colors, Mother of Runes offers this versatility for free, albeit limited to targeting only creatures you control.
Comparatively, we find Eight-and-a-Half-Tails, which allows not only your creatures but any other permanents to gain protection from the color of your choice. While the Cabal is particularly impactful in monocolored metas, Eight-and-a-Half-Tails shines with its flexibility. This flexibility does come at an increased operational cost – both in mana cost and its activation.
When reviewing Stromgald Cabal alongside its counterparts, it’s evident that the card presents an intriguing option especially in formats with a heavy emphasis on color-specific strategies. Its capacity to strategically manipulate colors can significantly alter the course of a game, setting it apart within this niche group of MTG protective spell weavers.
Cards similar to Stromgald Cabal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stromgald Cabal provides a selective edge, offering players control over specific types of cards in each player’s graveyard. This can potentially lead to a significant reduction in opponent resources while bolstering your own strategic options.
Resource Acceleration: Though Stromgald Cabal does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to systematically control graveyards can disrupt opponent’s plans that rely on graveyard interactions, slowing them down and giving you an indirect pace advantage on the board.
Instant Speed: The ability to manipulate graveyards at instant speed gives deck builders an edge, allowing play decisions to be made with a high degree of flexibility. This ensures that Stromgald Cabal’s effect can be used most opportunistically, either in response to an opponent’s actions or at a moment that maximizes the card’s strategic impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Stromgald Cabal necessitates the forfeiture of a card, which can be a substantial setback when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a particular combination of mana, consisting of both black and colorless, which may restrict its adaptability across a broad spectrum of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost leaning on the higher side, it’s essential to weigh the opportunity cost, as other cards in the same mana range may provide more impactful board presence or game-swinging abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stromgald Cabal is a flexible card that can adapt to various gameplay strategies. Its ability to counter target spell if it’s white enables it to act as a deterrent against specific decks, making it a strategic addition to any collection that values on-the-fly adaptability.
Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well in combinations with other cards that benefit from noncreature spells being cast or that focus on color-specific interplay. It serves as a linchpin in decks that capitalize on controlling the board by selectively blocking opponent strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given that many competitive decks feature white spells, Stromgald Cabal holds its ground in the current meta. Its targeted spell countering makes it a valuable asset when facing decks with a heavy reliance on white spells, positioning it as a meta-contender worth considering for its disruption capabilities.
How to beat
Contending with the Stromgald Cabal in Magic: The Gathering demands strategic finesse and keen understanding of the game’s dynamics. The card is distinctive, with the ability to control graveyards, which can tip the scales in a black-heavy deck. Unlike other cards that completely remove graveyard options, the Stromgald Cabal requires a more nuanced approach, given its specific color-based activation.
Players aiming to undermine this potent card should consider employing artifact-based graveyard management tools or delve into colors outside the Cabal’s influence. Cards like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt provide universal answers to graveyard strategies and are not hindered by the Cabal’s restrictions. Additionally, incorporating a diverse mana base that isn’t solely reliant on black can minimize the impact of the Cabal’s control. Key is to have versatile responses that circumvent the color-specific limitation of Stromgald Cabal.
Ultimately, victory against a deck harnessing the power of Stromgald Cabal hinges on preparation and adaptability. By incorporating a mix of artifacts and multicolored tactics within one’s deck, a player can navigate around the challenges posed by this unique card and maintain a competitive edge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stromgald Cabal 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 Stromgald Cabal 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 Stromgald Cabal Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Anson Maddocks.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 166 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | ll166sb | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 195 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 157 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 5 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | js157sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Anson Maddocks | |
| 6 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 113 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stromgald Cabal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |