Spike Soldier MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spike Soldier
Released	1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set name	Stronghold
Set code	STH
Power	0
Toughness	0
Number	119
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Elliott

Key Takeaways

Spike Soldier’s card drawing and library manipulation keep players’ hands full and strategic.
Its synergy with counters accelerates resource ramp-up quickly on the battlefield.
Instant speed ability activations give players a significant strategic edge.

Text of card

Spike Soldier comes into play with three +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Soldier: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Soldier: Spike Soldier gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spike Soldier not only bolsters your defenses but also equips you with an ability that can draw cards or manipulate the library, keeping your hand replenished and diversified.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s inherent synergies with counter-accumulating mechanics facilitate a ramp in resources, allowing you to proliferate strength onto the battlefield swiftly.

Instant Speed: The activation of the Spike Soldier’s abilities at instant speed provides a strategic edge, enabling you to adapt to the evolving state of play and respond to threats immediately and unexpectedly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spike Soldier demands players to discard a card as part of its activation cost. This cost can put you at a disadvantage, particularly when your hand is already depleting, making it a risky play in situations where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Spike Soldier, precise mana colors are necessary, which may restrict its integration outside specialized or multicolored decks. If your mana base isn’t optimally built to accommodate these requirements, you could find yourself unable to deploy this card when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the mana investment required to get Spike Soldier on the battlefield and activate its abilities, players might find its cost-benefit ratio lacking when compared to other cards in the same mana range. This could lead to scenarios where Spike Soldier is overshadowed by more mana-efficient creatures or spells in your arsenal.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spike Soldier fits seamlessly into a variety of deck builds, particularly those that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. Its adaptability in battle makes it a must-have for players looking to empower their creatures incrementally.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with mechanisms that proliferate or double counters, enabling players to create powerful combinations that can escalate out of an opponent’s control swiftly while building a formidable presence on the board.

Meta-Relevance: Understanding the current competitive environment, using Spike Soldier can prove highly advantageous against prevalent creature-heavy strategies. It can hold its ground and continuously reinforce its position, turning the tide of a duel when supported by the right deck.

How to beat

Spike Soldier stands out as a notable combatant in Magic: The Gathering with its flexibility to grow stronger over time. Part of the Spike creature family, it shares the ability to modify its power and toughness through the use of +1/+1 counters. To effectively confront Spike Soldier, targeted removal spells are highly effective. These spells bypass the incremental strength Spike Soldier accumulates over the span of a match.

Moreover, Spike Soldier is susceptible to high impact board clears, which can sweep away the advantages gained from its built-up counters all at once. Using spells with exile effects also prove useful, as they prevent the creature from returning to the battlefield, which would be the case with traditional destroy effects considering the Spike creatures’ persistent nature.

Integrating these strategies into your game plan can significantly diminish the potential threat posed by Spike Soldier, ensuring that this adaptable adversary does not outpace your path to victory. By understanding its mechanics and employing efficient removal tactics, you can keep the battlefield under your control and mitigate the impact of this formidable MTG card.

Cards like Spike Soldier

Spike Soldier is an intriguing creature in the MTG universe, nestled comfortably within the Spike creature family. One of its relatives, Spike Weaver, offers a different take on the utility of Spikes. While Spike Soldier is geared towards combat with its ability to beef up and deal more damage, Spike Weaver focuses on protecting your life total by offering fog effects to prevent all combat damage for a turn. Both carry the distinct Spike feature of maneuvering +1/+1 counters, but cater to varied strategic angles.

Another card worthy of comparison is Spike Feeder, which leans towards life gain rather than combat. It can remove counters to gain life, supporting more defensively-oriented decks compared to the aggressive nature of Spike Soldier. It’s interesting to note how the Spike lineage provides diverse options for creature utility, each card tailored to suit different deckbuilds and playstyles within MTG.

Ultimately, Spike Soldier holds its ground as a versatile creature in MTG, offering players the ability to adapt to the game’s evolving battlefield. Its capability to become a major offensive threat makes it a valuable card for those looking to scale their creature’s power as the game progresses.

Cards similar to Spike Soldier by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spike Soldier MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Spike Soldier and other MTG cards: