Flowstone Channeler MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Spellshaper
Released	2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set name	Time Spiral
Set code	TSP
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	155
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Alan Pollack

Key Takeaways

Enables deck filtering at instant speed, increasing access to strategic cards during crucial gameplay moments.
Its discard requirement can backfire, leading to a loss of hand options, especially in drawn-out matches.
Despite the mana constraints, its versatility makes it a strong addition to certain MTG deck builds.

Text of card

, , Discard a card: Target creature gets +1/-1 and gains haste until end of turn.

With the evincars gone, flowstone became erratic and wild, a source of power for mages more desperate than wise.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Flowstone Channeler provides a unique ability that allows you to sift through your deck, discarding and drawing cards, thereby increasing your chances to find the answers or threats you need at crucial moments.

Resource Acceleration: Especially in a deck designed to utilize its discard ability frequently, this card can turn seemingly useless cards in your hand into potential fuel for more powerful spells or enable key synergies.

Instant Speed: Its discard ability can be activated at any time, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, keeping them guessing about your next move while you subtly sculpt your hand and strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flowstone Channeler demands the player to discard a card to leverage its ability. This necessary trade-off can lead to a depleted hand, limiting strategic options and potentially putting the player at a disadvantage, especially if the match draws on and the resource becomes scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: To activate Flowstone Channeler’s prowess, you need to spend not just any mana but specifically one red mana. This requirement might not mesh well with multicolored decks looking for flexible mana solutions, leaving Flowstone Channeler as a less attractive option for those not dedicated to red or requiring mana fluidity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even for seasoned players, the balance between cost and benefit is key. Flowstone Channeler comes with a mana valuation that, while not exorbitant, can be seen as steep for the effects it provides. With a myriad of cards competing for the four mana slot, ones offering immediate and more substantial impact might edge out Flowstone Channeler in deck-building decisions.

Reasons to Include Flowstone Channeler in Your Collection

Versatility: Flowstone Channeler proves its worth by being a flexible card that can adapt to various strategies. Its ability to filter through your deck enhances any setup seeking to sift through cards for specific answers or pieces.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with decks built around discarding or graveyard strategies. Its discard ability can enable powerful synergies with reanimation spells or cards that trigger upon being discarded from your hand.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that rewards quick adaptation, Flowstone Channeler fits snugly into the shuffle. Knowing when to play it can give you an upper hand, especially when faced with a landscape that demands swift responses to an ever-changing board.

How to beat

Flowstone Channeler presents a unique challenge for players in the game of Magic: The Gathering. This versatile card can consistently turn the tides of play with its ability to manipulate creature size. The best strategy to counteract Flowstone Channeler’s advantages involves targeting it before its controller can fully utilize its power-changing abilities. This means using instant-speed removal spells, so that you can respond to its activation potential even during your opponent’s turn. Key removal spells that can be highly effective include Path to Exile and Fatal Push, which can exile the Flowstone Channeler or destroy it outright.

Another tactic is to employ counterspells as Flowstone Channeler is cast, ensuring it never has a chance to influence the board. Counterspell and Mana Leak are prime examples of disruption that can prevent the Channeler from settling into play. In a strategic sense, focusing on maintaining control over the board and not allowing the Flowstone Channeler to start dictating the pace of creature combat is paramount. By keeping removal or counters in hand and staying vigilant of the board state, the Flowstone Channeler’s impact can be nullified effectively.

Overall, being proactive and adaptive will keep you one step ahead of Flowstone Channeler’s potentially game-altering abilities and maintain a balanced playing field. This approach is essential when aiming to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Flowstone Channeler

The Flowstone Channeler presents itself as a unique fixture amidst the array of creature cards available to Magic: The Gathering players. When observing Flowstone Channeler’s role in a deck, one might draw parallels to Llanowar Visionary. Both fill the two-manifold purpose of mana generation as well as deck filtering, with the Visionary offering an additional card upon entering the battlefield. The Channeler, distinctly, provides a more controlled form of deck manipulation, allowing you to discard unwanted cards to sculpt your hand and hence, the game’s trajectory.

Another apt comparison can be made with Merfolk Looter, a creature with the ability to draw and discard each turn, fostering persistent deck filtering. While the Looter demands an active ability cost to be paid each turn, Flowstone Channeler requires no additional mana investment after playing, making it subtly advantageous in mana-tight situations. Lastly, we can consider the Magus of the Wheel. While not as economical mana-wise, the Magus has the potential for a more dramatic impact by refreshing the entire hand.

Each of these alternatives serves similar purposes, but Flowstone Channeler stands out with a blend of consistent deck filtering without extra mana costs after it is on the field, shaping it into a noteworthy option for players seeking to fine-tune their play strategies.

Cards similar to Flowstone Channeler by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

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Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flowstone Channeler MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Flowstone Channeler and other MTG cards: