Wall of Tears MTG Card


Wall of Tears - Stronghold
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Wall
Abilities Defender
Released1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set nameStronghold
Set codeSTH
Power 0
Toughness 4
Number50
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRebecca Guay

Key Takeaways

  1. Discourages attacks, offering indirect card advantage and preserving player resources effectively.
  2. Deployable early in-game due to its low cost, it saves mana for other pivotal spells.
  3. Functions like instant-speed removal, bouncing attackers and protecting one’s life total.

Text of card

(Walls cannot attack.) If Wall of Tears blocks any creatures, return each of those creatures to owner's hand at end of combat.

"Many have been lost to pity." —Karn, silver golem


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though not a direct source of drawing cards, Wall of Tears has a unique ability that often deters opponents from attacking. This has the indirect benefit of preserving your hand and board, indirectly contributing to card advantage as your opponent might be hesitant to commit more resources to the board.

Resource Acceleration: Wall of Tears doesn’t directly increase your resources by providing additional mana. Instead, it’s strength lies in its low casting cost and defensive utility. At only two mana, it allows players to deploy a reliable defensive creature early in the game, saving mana for other spells or threats.

Instant Speed: While Wall of Tears itself is not an instant, its defensive ability effectively operates at instant speed. Whenever it is targeted by a creature in combat, its ability instantly returns the attacking creature to the owner’s hand. This not only protects your life total but can also set your opponent back, disrupting their plays and tempo as if you’ve cast an instant-speed removal spell.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Wall of Tears doesn’t demand a discard its defensive capabilities can inadvertently pressure a player’s hand by prolonging the game, potentially leading to a larger hand that might need to be downsized at inopportune times.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s specific mana cost calls for both blue and colorless mana, making it somewhat restrictive and less flexible for decks that aren’t based heavily on blue mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Wall of Tears offers a respectable defensive utility, its initial mana investment might be considered steep for a 0/4 defender when compared to other creatures that could provide more immediate board presence or utility for the same cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wall of Tears offers a unique dynamic to defensive strategies, effortlessly fitting into decks that thrive on board control and passive tactics. Its ability to not only block incoming attacks but also discourage future ones makes it a flexible addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: This card works well in synergistic plays, especially within decks that capitalize on returning creatures to the hand. By integrating Wall of Tears into such combos, one can repeatedly utilize its bounce effect, disrupting opponents’ game plans while setting up one’s own.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive creature-based strategies are prevalent, Wall of Tears stands out as a valuable asset. Its deterrence effect is particularly effective in slowing down the pace of the game, giving players the time they need to execute their long-term strategies and maintain strong defenses.


How to beat

Wall of Tears stands as a quirky defender card in the arena of Magic: The Gathering. One might think that this innocuous wall, with its peculiar ability to return an attacking creature to its owner’s hand, can be an impenetrable barrier. Unlike other defender cards, Wall of Tears does not just block incoming threats but actively discourages attacks. It doesn’t pack a powerful punch in terms of attack power, yet its primary strength lies within its stalling and bouncing capability.

To successfully navigate around Wall of Tears, players should consider employing spells that bypass its blocking ability. Utilizing removal spells that can directly target and eliminate it from the battlefield proves an effective strategy. Alternatively, implementing evasion tactics, such as granting your creatures flying or unblockable abilities, allows you to circumvent the wall entirely. Another tip is to apply pressure with multiple smaller creatures, diluting the impact of Wall of Tears’ defensive tactic by overwhelming it with numerous threats it simply can’t handle all at once.

Ultimately, while Wall of Tears can be a thorn in the side of straightforward aggressive strategies, a nuanced approach employing evasion, removal, or swarming methods can dismantle this unique obstacle, reinforcing the importance of strategic diversity in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the nuances of Wall of Tears can significantly impact your gameplay and strategy within the MTG realms. Whether you’re shoring up your defenses or actively seeking control-based synergies, this card’s unique bounce ability provides both a defensive stop and an offensive setback for your adversary. Given its potential to shape the battlefield to your advantage, it’s a solid choice for your blue-centric decks that favor deliberate plays over quick skirmishes. For a deeper dive into optimal strategies and advanced deck-building techniques around Wall of Tears, join our community where you’ll gain insights to turn this card into a cornerstone of your winning strategy.


Cards like Wall of Tears

Wall of Tears stands out in the MTG world of defensive creatures due to its unique ability to bounce attacking creatures back to their owner’s hand. This characteristic is reminiscent of the function provided by cards such as Guard Gomazoa, which also prevents combat damage without the bounce effect. Wall of Tears offers a distinct tactical advantage in being able to remove threats temporarily and disrupt opponent’s strategies.

Comparatively, Fog Bank is another notable wall-type creature that shares the damage prevention aspect, but, again, without the capacity to return creatures to the hand. It blocks attacks effectively yet lacks the board impact present in Wall of Tears. Additionally, there’s Mnemonic Wall, which leans towards utility by retrieving an instant or sorcery from your graveyard upon entering the battlefield. Although it doesn’t prevent damage or return creatures, it compensates by providing card advantage.

Clearly, while each wall has its merits, Wall of Tears claims a unique spot in defense by combining damage prevention with an opponent’s creature control, setting it apart as a noteworthy choice for players looking to bolster their defenses while disrupting their opponent’s battle plans.

Guard Gomazoa - MTG Card versions
Fog Bank - MTG Card versions
Mnemonic Wall - MTG Card versions
Guard Gomazoa - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Fog Bank - Urza's Saga (USG)
Mnemonic Wall - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)

Cards similar to Wall of Tears by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Zephyr Falcon - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Giant Albatross - Homelands (HML)
Phantasmal Sphere - Alliances (ALL)
Skyshroud Condor - Tempest (TMP)
School of Piranha - Exodus (EXO)
Coral Merfolk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Wu Light Cavalry - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sea Eagle - Starter 1999 (S99)
Overtaker - Mercadian Masques Promos (PMMQ)
Hazy Homunculus - Prophecy (PCY)
Darting Merfolk - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Thought Eater - Odyssey (ODY)
Spellstutter Sprite - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Sneaky Homunculus - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Coral Eel - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Storm Crow - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Aquamoeba - World Championship Decks 2003 (WC03)
Soratami Cloudskater - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Minamo Sightbender - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wall of Tears 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 Wall of Tears and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Tears has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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