Valleymaker MTG Card

Valleymaker offers card advantage and instant-speed play, greatly impacting board dynamics in MTG. It requires specific mana colors and has a high cost, which can limit its deck compatibility. Its versatility and combo potential make Valleymaker a noteworthy addition to land-focused decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Giant Shaman
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	221
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Gallegos

Text of card

, Sacrifice a Mountain: Valleymaker deals 3 damage to target creature. , Sacrifice a Forest: Choose a player. That player adds to his or her mana pool.

Their home uprooted by a giant, the gang of boggarts mourned their old stomping ground.

Cards like Valleymaker

Valleymaker earns its place in the world of land destruction cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to destroy a non-basic land while simultaneously offering a ramp possibility makes it a unique comparison to other similar cards. Take Molten Rain, for example, which also destroys non-basic lands, but Valleymaker differentiates itself with the secondary choice to seek out a Forest card, offering you an advantage in mana acceleration.

Similarly, we can look at Acidic Slime, which offers land destruction along with targeting artifacts, enchantments, and even creatures due to its deathtouch trait. However, Acidic Slime’s higher mana cost and creature form offer a different strategic use compared to Valleymaker’s instant speed flexibility. Then there’s the classic Stone Rain, a straightforward choice for land destruction, but without the alternative utility that Valleymaker presents. The decision-making and adaptability provided by Valleymaker can be crucial in games where resource management is key.

The strategic depth Valleymaker brings, with its dual functionality, allows players to disrupt opponents or advance their own board state, situating it as a versatile option in decks that prioritize land interaction.

Cards similar to Valleymaker by color, type and mana cost

The Lady of the Mountain - MTG Card versions

Jerrard of the Closed Fist - MTG Card versions

Phylath, World Sculptor - MTG Card versions

Wort, the Raidmother - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Valleymaker enables players to create an elemental token with its land-sacrificing ability, essentially turning a single card into multiple threats on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: By sacrificing a land, Valleymaker doesn’t just manifest power on the board, it also ushers in an additional land card into play tapped, which can be a subtle yet powerful form of ramp, allowing players to access more mana in the subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: Valleymaker’s capability to sacrifice a land and perform its effects at instant speed grants players the flexibility to react dynamically to the state of the game. This could potentially disrupt an opponent’s strategy by surprise or optimizing the timing to get the most out of the land sacrifice.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Valleymaker demands that you discard a card upon casting. This can lead to a loss of valuable hand resources, making it a potentially costly card for your strategy, especially in tight game scenarios where each card in hand matters.

Specific Mana Cost: Valleymaker has a specific mana requirement, which includes green and red. This can be a bit restrictive as it necessitates a mana base tailored specifically to these colors, thereby limiting the card’s flexibility across various MTG deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits on the higher end of the mana curve, Valleymaker can be seen as less efficient compared to other cards with similar effects. This can be a significant con for players looking to optimize their deck’s performance, as there may be scenarios where the card sits in hand unplayed due to its hefty mana demands.

Reasons to Include Valleymaker in Your Collection

Versatility: Valleymaker boasts a dual capability to both generate land drops and create creature tokens. This flexibility allows it to be a valuable addition to landfall-focused decks as well as token strategies, making it a multifaceted tool for deck builders.

Combo Potential: With its ability to produce elemental creature tokens, Valleymaker can synergize with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or leaving play. It’s also handy for strategies that capitalize on sacrificing creatures for greater effects, potentially leading to powerful combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where board presence and land acceleration matter, Valleymaker shines. It helps maintain pace with aggressive decks and offers essential utility against control archetypes, proving its worth in various competitive scenes.

How to Beat Valleymaker

Valleymaker presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. With its ability to create tokens and perform land destruction, it can undoubtedly become a thorn in your side if left unchecked. Overcoming Valleymaker requires a tactical approach, utilizing efficient removal spells or counters to negate its impact. Swift responses, such as immediate exile or destruction spells when Valleymaker hits the field, are critical in halting its token generation and limiting your opponent’s land control.

Additionally, cards that limit the entry of noncreature spells can be an effective roadblock against this powerful card. It’s worth considering including sideboard answers that can specifically address such threats. Cards like Negate or Disenchant can dismantle Valleymaker’s formidable presence, turning the tides of the game. Denying your opponent the opportunity to leverage Valleymaker not only preserves your land base but also takes the wind out of their sails, leaving them a step behind in resource generation.

Employing a strategy that includes preemptive measures and reactive responses will give you a solid edge against Valleymaker. By doing so, you ensure that this formidable force doesn’t gain the upper hand and jeopardize your victory in the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Valleymaker MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Valleymaker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Valleymaker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Valleymaker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2009-10-01	The second ability is a mana ability. It doesn’t target a player and it doesn’t use the stack. If the player who adds to their mana pool can’t spend all of it before the phase ends, the remaining mana will leave their mana pool at the end of the current step (or phase).