Subterranean Spirit MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental Spirit |
| Abilities | Protection |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 195 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | John Bolton |
Text of card
Protection from red oc T: Subterranean Spirit deals 1 damage to each creature without flying.
"Air hot with sulfur. / Earth heaves beneath me. / Could it be the mountain / ate something bad?" —Dwarven mining song
Cards like Subterranean Spirit
Subterranean Spirit brings a unique twist to the lineup of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It runs parallel to cards like Torch Fiend and Embermage Goblin in terms of offering a creature that can deal damage to other creatures. The Spirit’s ability to provide damage immunity to your creatures for a turn, however, edges it into a strategic niche, diverging from Torch Fiend’s sacrifice for artifact destruction or Embermage Goblin’s ping ability.
Another comparable card is the Inner-Flame Acolyte, which grants temporary power boosts and even hastens the tempo with its “haste” feature. The Subterranean Spirit, though not imparting haste or power, reinforces board presence by shielding creatures from damage. Then consider the Ashmouth Hound, which similarly dishes out damage but is more reactive, dealing damage to attacking or blocking creatures. It contrasts with Subterranean Spirit’s preemptive protection, which requires a more calculated and anticipatory approach to combat.
Assessing these cards side by side, Subterranean Spirit carves out its own space with its protective skill set, proving to be more than just a damage conduit, but a card that fortifies tactical defenses within the vast realm of Magic: The Gathering creature cards.
Cards similar to Subterranean Spirit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Subterranean Spirit is designed to consistently bolster your hand, granting you ongoing access to more options as you delve deeper into the game. Its ability to manipulate the battlefield while offering up potential draws makes it a formidable inclusion in decks that prioritize incremental gains.
Resource Acceleration: With its capacity to streamline your mana resources, this card can propel you ahead by creating advantageous board states. By ensuring you’re not simply keeping pace but actively outmaneuvering your opponent in terms of available resources, the card helps maintain a steady growth in your in-game power.
Instant Speed: The swiftness of instant speed spells adds a strategic depth to any match, and Subterranean Spirit stands out by delivering critical effects at this speed. It permits a reactive playstyle, allowing you to optimize the timing of your strategies and ensuring that your turns are as impactful as possible.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The underground dweller isn’t as straightforward as you’d hope — Subterranean Spirit requires you to discard another card to unleash its potential. This can set you back in the game, especially when your hand is already running thin.
Specific Mana Cost: With its demand for a special blend of mana, this fiery spirit might leave you scrambling for the right lands. A precise combination of mana is needed to play the card, which could disrupt your strategic flow and limit your deck-building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: You may find the mana investment for Subterranean Spirit a bit steep. In the resource-rich world of Magic, there are alternative creatures or spells that can be played at a lower cost, potentially offering a better value for your mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Subterranean Spirit in Your Collection
Versatility: Subterranean Spirit is a card that melds well with numerous strategies. Its ability to become unblockable for a turn allows it to fit into aggressive decks hungry for reliable damage or control decks needing a dependable win condition. The Spirit’s subterranean nature provides both offensive and defensive benefits, making it a flexible choice for various situations.
Combo Potential: This Elemental Spirit shines in decks built around synergetic use of instant and sorcery spells. Being able to consistently trigger its abilities creates opportunities for players to architect combos that can manipulate the battlefield or deal decisive blows to the opponent. Its inherent ability to dodge board wipes adds to its combo-enabling reliability.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based strategies reign, Subterranean Spirit can become a silver bullet. Its resistance to targeted removal and potential to slip through creature-heavy defenses make it a smart include in a deck that seeks to outmaneuver the prevalent creature-focused meta strategies.
How to beat Subterranean Spirit
Subterranean Spirit brings unique dynamics to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to become unblockable ensures it can easily slip past defenders to deliver crucial points of damage. When facing off against this elusive creature, it’s essential to understand that removal spells are your most reliable countermeasure.
Direct damage spells, such as Shock or Lightning Bolt, can swiftly take down Subterranean Spirit before it has the opportunity to hide from your blockers. If your opponent has a Subterranean Spirit, keep instant-speed removal in hand to respond to its activation; thus, preserving your ability to control the pace of the game. Counter spells also play a pivotal role when your opponent casts Subterranean Spirit, preventing it from entering the battlefield in the first place.
Structuring your deck with a mix of removal and counter spells not only answers threats like Subterranean Spirit but also fortifies your overall strategy against various challenges. Consequently, these elements bolster your deck’s flexibility and resilience, making you well-equipped to triumph over the cunning Subterranean Spirit and similar threats that await in the vast world of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Subterranean Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Subterranean Spirit 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 Subterranean Spirit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |