Sturmgeist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2011-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad |
| Set code | ISD |
| Power | * |
| Toughness | * |
| Number | 82 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Terese Nielsen |
Text of card
Flying Sturmgeist's power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand. Whenever Sturmgeist deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Cards like Sturmgeist
Sturmgeist presents an intriguing dynamic in MTG as it ties its power to the player’s hand size. Comparable to other creatures that leverage card quantities, such as Psychosis Crawler, it can become a formidable force. While the Crawler damages opponents whenever you draw a card, Sturmgeist instead gains strength in direct proportion to the number of cards in your grasp.
Another similar card is Masumaro, First to Live, which also grows with the size of your hand. However, unlike Sturmgeist, Masumaro does not have the built-in card draw ability, emphasizing Sturmgeist’s advantage of potentially becoming self-sustaining. Yet, both can command the board if left unchecked. Moreover, Sphinx’s Tutelage stands out for its milling potential linked to hand size, serving as an alternate route to leveraging a large grip of cards.
Considering options in the realm of MTG, Sturmgeist not only brings a unique blend of card advantage and scaling power but also represents a strategic inclusion in decks focusing on retaining a substantial hand, proving to be an asset in both offensive and tactical plays.
Cards similar to Sturmgeist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When it comes to maintaining a healthy hand size, Sturmgeist shines by allowing you to draw additional cards equal to its power whenever it deals damage to a player. This can lead to a significant lead in resources over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Although Sturmgeist itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its natural synergy with cards that ramp your mana can turn it into a formidable force. As you increase your mana pool, Sturmgeist grows in power, enabling bigger card draws.
Instant Speed: As a creature, Sturmgeist doesn’t operate at instant speed, but it synergizes well with cards that do. Casting spells at instant speed to boost its power before the damage step can trick opponents and provide surprise card draw, directly impacting card advantage and game tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As a player of MTG, one must be cautious while using Sturmgeist due to its dependency on the number of cards in hand to determine its power and toughness. Lower hand counts could leave it significantly weaker on the battlefield, hindering its combat effectiveness and making it an easier target for removal.
Specific Mana Cost: Sturmgeist has a strict casting requirement of one colorless and two blue mana, which dictates its place primarily in blue-centric or blue-supporting decks. Players not focusing on blue mana sources might find it challenging to seamlessly integrate Sturmgeist into their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a five-total-mana cost can be quite the investment, especially when you’re aiming to establish board presence. In games that necessitate quick plays and efficient use of mana, there might be alternate creatures or spells that offer more immediate impact or utility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Sturmgeist in Your Collection
Versatility: Sturmgeist is known for its adaptability in deck building. Its power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in your hand, making it a dynamic threat in draw-heavy decks and those that maintain a large hand size.
Combo Potential: Since it rewards you for having a vast collection of cards in hand, Sturmgeist fits naturally into combo decks focused on card draw mechanics. Pairing it with spells that allow you to draw additional cards can create formidable combinations that overwhelm your opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games drag into the later phases, Sturmgeist shines by leveraging your accumulated resources. It’s well-suited to outclass opponents in battles of attrition, where maintaining a strong hand is key to victory.
How to beat Sturmgeist
Sturmgeist offers a distinct advantage for players by providing card draw proportional to its power, a feature that can swiftly tilt the game in a player’s favor. Unique to blue strategies, it operates remarkably well in decks focusing on maximizing hand size. The key to undermining its effectiveness lies in reducing its power or eliminating it before it can become a formidable threat on the board.
Employing removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile is an efficient strategy to dispatch the Sturmgeist without allowing the opponent to capitalize on its card draw capability. Another viable option is to manage the number of cards in one’s own hand, keeping it low to diminish Sturmgeist’s power and thus its threat level. In addition, utilizing discard effects can disrupt the synergy that decks employing Sturmgeist may rely upon, effectively blunting its impact on the game.
Understanding Sturmgeist’s reliance on a player’s hand size is crucial in developing counterstrategies. Direct removal, hand size management, and disruption are essential tools for players facing this card-drawing apparition. Through smart play and carefully timed actions, Sturmgeist’s advantage can be nullified, preserving the equilibrium of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sturmgeist MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Sturmgeist 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sturmgeist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sturmgeist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | The ability that defines Sturmgeist’s power and toughness works in all zones, not just the battlefield. |