Form of the Squirrel MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	2004-11-19
Set symbol
Set name	Unhinged
Set code	UNH
Number	96
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Silver
Illustred by	Carl Critchlow
Un-set :-)	This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

Indirect card advantage gained gives room for strategizing and pulling further into your deck.
Buying time is another edge, allowing for board development and strategic plays.
Lacking instant speed is offset by continuous protection once on the battlefield.

Text of card

As Form of the Squirrel comes into play, put a 1/1 green Squirrel creature token into play. You lose the game when it leaves play. Creatures can't attack you. You can't be the target of spells or abilities. You can't play spells.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Form of the Squirrel might seem like a quirky one-trick pony, its uniqueness lies in the card advantage it indirectly creates. Once transformed into a Squirrel, you are shielded by an indestructible token that can deter opponents, often causing a stall in their strategy while you continue to draw into your deck for answers or additional threats.

Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense of adding mana, yet it does offer a different kind of ‘resource’ acceleration – time. By giving you protection and effectively making you untouchable, Form of the Squirrel buys you time to develop your board and gather the resources necessary to execute your strategy.

Instant Speed: Form of the Squirrel is an enchantment which means it lacks the reactive utility of instant speed. However, its lasting effect compensates by creating a persistent state where you’re immune to damage, which could be seen as having a prolonged ‘instant speed’ effect of protection that’s always on standby from the moment it’s played.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One limitation of Form of the Squirrel is that activating its ability often requires discarding other cards, limiting your hand and potentially putting you at a disadvantage if you need a variety of responses during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Form of the Squirrel has a very specific mana requirement which can be restrictive. Decks that don’t generate green mana consistently may find it difficult to cast this card when needed, diminishing its practical utility in a diverse range of MTG decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When comparing the cost to other enchantments or creatures that provide substantial defensive benefits, Form of the Squirrel has a relatively high mana cost. This can hamper your early-game tempo, as investing three mana into a card that doesn’t directly affect the board may set you back against more aggressive strategies.

Reasons to Include Form of the Squirrel in Your Collection

Versatility: Form of the Squirrel is uniquely flexible for themed and casual decks. It’s perfect for players looking to create an unexpected shield or as a fun centerpiece in a quirky deck build.

Combo Potential: This card can set off various combos in a squirrel-based deck or serve as a creative way to stall opponents when paired with other cards that prevent creatures from being targeted or destroyed.

Meta-Relevance: In a playground where surprise tactics can flip the scales, Form of the Squirrel disrupts conventional combat strategies, giving you breathing room against aggressive opponents.

How to Beat Form of the Squirrel

Form of the Squirrel is a unique enchantment in Magic the Gathering. When it’s on the battlefield, it turns the controller into a proverbial squirrel, providing them with a token creature and making them untargetable by their opponents. While this quirky card can create a seemingly impenetrable barrier, there are strategic ways to navigate around it. Board wipes that don’t target, like Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear away the squirrel token without needing to target the player. This removes the protective shield that Form of the Squirrel offers.

Alternatively, taking advantage of spells that force the player to sacrifice enchantments can also work around the non-targeting clause. Cards like Tranquility can clear Form of the Squirrel off the board, once again opening the pathway to victory. In addition, using counter spells to prevent Form of the Squirrel from ever hitting the table, or relying on enchantment removal like Disenchant at a moment when the squirrel token isn’t around, can be key to maintaining the upper hand against this nutty card.

A deep understanding of the mechanics and having the right answers prepared can help players elegantly bypass the defenses set by Form of the Squirrel. It requires careful planning and timing, ensuring that when the squirrel form is disrupted, the victory is within grasp.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Form of the Squirrel MTG card by a specific set like Unhinged, 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 Form of the Squirrel and other MTG cards: