Thunder Wall MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 104
2008-09-22 - Number 71
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender,Flying |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying oo U +1/+1 until end of turn
"The Lemures had barely taken wing when the sky roared with thunder. The swarm of little beasts wavered, divided, and fell, crashing to the earth." —General Jarkeld, the Arctic Fox
Cards like Thunder Wall
Thunder Wall is an intriguing defensive option in the realm of MTG’s creatures with flying. Standing alongside cards like Wall of Air, both share the flying attribute, allowing them to block other airborne creatures. Yet, Thunder Wall offers an additional benefit with its ability to deal damage to attacking creatures, reminiscent of Thundersong Trumpeter’s control over combat dynamics. Wall of Air, while it has a slightly stronger toughness, lacks this proactive defense mechanism.
Another peer in this category is Glowrider, which imposes an increased cost on noncreature spells. Though not a defender, the tactical inhibition it brings can shape the early game. Thunder Wall, on the other hand, requires three mana and is positioned to guard the skies immediately. Then there’s Fog Bank, a similar flying defender known for its ability to nullify damage from combat, offering a different form of protection compared to Thunder Wall’s offensive capability.
Ultimately, each card serves a strategic purpose within MTG. Thunder Wall is particularly valued for its blend of aerial defense and offensive interaction, marking its place in decks with a penchant for control and tempo.
Cards similar to Thunder Wall by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Thunder Wall MTG card ensures a solid defense while providing the potential to block multiple creatures, effectively preserving your hand and giving you the upper hand over your opponent’s creature-based strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Thunder Wall allows you to stabilize your board earlier due to its lower casting cost, saving resources for casting more impactful spells sooner.
Instant Speed: Thunder Wall can be played at instant speed, offering the flexibility to react swiftly to your opponent’s actions. It can be summoned right before your turn, keeping your mana open for other instant spells during your opponent’s turn for optimal strategic play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Thunder Wall necessitates the discarding of another card as part of its casting cost. This can be particularly burdensome when your hand is already depleted, forcing you to make tough decisions about which resources to forfeit.
Specific Mana Cost: With its strict blue mana requirement, Thunder Wall can be challenging to incorporate into multicolored decks, especially those that struggle with mana fixing or operate on a tight mana curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Thunder Wall offers a defensive barrier, but it can be argued that other cards in the same mana range may provide greater versatility or stronger board presence, making Thunder Wall a less attractive option in certain strategies.
Reasons to Include Thunder Wall in Your Collection
Versatility: Thunder Wall provides defensive capabilities that are effective in a variety of game situations. Its ability to intercept flying creatures adds a layer of protection for your life total and key planeswalkers.
Combo Potential: With just a few enhancements or synergistic cards, Thunder Wall can become more than just a defensive wall. It’s perfect for decks that capitalize on creature abilities or defender archetypes.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive flying creatures dominate, Thunder Wall serves as an excellent deterrent. It’s a relevant inclusion that can shift the tide of battle in your favor by shutting down popular aerial threats.
How to Overcome Thunder Wall in MTG
Thunder Wall presents a unique defense on the battlefield within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to block multiple flying creatures offers strategic advantage in aerial combat. Nevertheless, dealing with it effectively involves a few succinct tactics. Prioritizing removal spells that can bypass its flying capability is key. Direct damage spells or those that don’t target, such as board wipes, are highly effective against Thunder Wall.
Control decks excel in handling Thunder Wall by leveraging counterspells or transforming it into a less threatening form with enchantments. It’s also manageable through combat tricks that bolster your creatures’ power or grant them abilities that negate Thunder Wall’s defensive strengths. Silent Arbiter, for example, can neutralize Thunder Wall’s multi-block capability by limiting the number of creatures able to block or attack.
Considering these methods, players can dismantle the protection Thunder Wall offers, allowing their strategies to soar unimpeded. Recognizing the card’s limitations in versatility and resilience can transform a seemingly insurmountable defense into a manageable obstacle. Recognizing and exploiting these weaknesses enables adept players to counteract Thunder Wall’s influence on the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thunder Wall MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Thunder Wall 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
Printings
The Thunder Wall Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Richard Thomas.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 104 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 71 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Richard Thomas |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thunder Wall has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |