Terraformer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Released | 2005-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
| Set code | RAV |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 70 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Luca Zontini |
Text of card
: Choose a basic land type. The land type of each land you control becomes that type until end of turn.
"This feels a little more like home."
Cards like Terraformer
The Terraformer card introduces a unique dynamic to Magic: The Gathering deck-building strategies, aligning its mechanics with those found in cards like Veteran Explorer. Both provide a benefit to the land aspect of gameplay. Terraformer, however, stands out with its adaptability, allowing players to search for a basic land card and put it into their hand, thus ensuring land drops. Veteran Explorer ups the ante but requires a sacrifice for the benefit, offering land to both players when it dies.
Comparatively, cards like Solemn Simulacrum offer similar deck thinning advantages, fetching a land onto the battlefield when it enters play. While Solemn Simulacrum holds the upside of not being limited to basic lands, Terraformer’s lower casting cost gives players earlier tactical options. Another analogous card, Dawntreader Elk, provides land ramp at the cost of sacrificing it, whereas Terraformer offers continued use as a creature alongside its land tutoring ability.
Evaluating these options in the context of MTG, Terraformer exhibits versatility and efficiency in land manipulation which is a cornerstone for many successful decks. Its ability to ensure land consistency while also serving as a creature makes it a strong consideration in mana-fixing and land-acquisition tactics.
Cards similar to Terraformer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Terraformer offers players a valuable means to sift through their library, providing a consistent opportunity to access more cards and options as the game progresses. This can be particularly beneficial when searching for key pieces in a deck to shift the tide of play in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: As a versatile asset in any MTG deck, Terraformer is adept at ramping up your available resources. This card unlocks additional lands, paving the way for a quicker and more effective deployment of your game plan. Whether you’re looking to cast high-cost spells earlier or simply aiming to outpace your opponent, Terraformer acts as a catalyst to your mana base expansion.
Instant Speed: One of Terraformer’s pivotal qualities is its ability to operate at instant speed. This enables strategic flexibility, allowing players to adapt to the unfolding match and respond to an opponent’s actions with great timing. Instant speed provides a layer of unpredictability, making Terraformer a cunning play that can fortify your position when least expected by your adversary.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Terraformer card mandates players ditch another card to activate certain abilities. This can strain hands already stretched thin, making it less ideal in situations where card advantage is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Playing Terraformer requires a precise combination of mana types. This necessity can complicate deck building and reduce the card’s flexibility in multicolored formats, potentially grounding it in specific deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Leveraging Terraformer’s full potential comes at a steep mana investment. This can slow down the pacing of your game, especially when alternatives exist that accomplish similar goals with less mana, allowing for a more streamlined and agile play style.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Terraformer’s adaptability shines through its capacity to manipulate the top card of your library. This trait ensures it has a place in decks that emphasize library control and top-deck strategies.
Combo Potential: As a card that can alter the top card of your library, Terraformer works wonders with cards enabling look-ahead mechanisms, setting up the perfect draw or combo prerequisites for an explosive play.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where deck consistency and an edge in competition are key, Terraformer aids in sculpting your hand to respond to an ever-shifting meta, making it a valuable tool across various match-ups.
How to beat
The Terraformer card has made waves among players for its transformative abilities in MTG. Like a morphing giant, this card can adapt to any given situation, altering its characteristics to fit the needs of the game. Its versatility lies in its ability to become a creature that can cater to any elemental land type, making it a formidable opponent in the right setting.
To deal with the Terraformer effectively, there are several strategies one might employ. First and foremost, removing it before it can utilize its land-shifting ability is key. This can be achieved through instant-speed removal spells that can target the Terraformer no matter what land type it embodies. Secondly, keep your counter spells handy for when your opponent tries to activate Terraformer’s ability. It’s crucial to anticipate this move and be ready to disrupt their plan. Lastly, consider using cards that restrict the types of mana your opponent can produce, rendering the Terraformer’s ability less impactful on the game.
Remember, flexibility and timely reaction are your best allies when facing a card with such malleability. By keeping these strategies in mind, you can keep Terraformer under control and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Terraformer MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Terraformer 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Terraformer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Terraformer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-10-01 | Changing a land’s type doesn’t change its name or whether it’s legendary or basic. |
| 2005-10-01 | Lands you control will have the mana ability of the basic land type you choose (for example, Forests can tap to produce green mana) and will lose all other innate abilities they had. |
| 2005-10-01 | Terraformer’s effect overwrites the land type of all lands you control that had other types and gives a land type to all lands you control that don’t normally have one. |