Vulshok Heartstoker MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
| Released | 2010-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Scars of Mirrodin |
| Set code | SOM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 107 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Shelly Wan |
Text of card
When Vulshok Heartstoker enters the battlefield, target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
He fashions stirring words with as much passion as a smith fashioning a warhammer.
Cards like Vulshok Heartstoker
Vulshok Heartstoker is an interesting creature card to consider within the diverse red creature pool in Magic: The Gathering. It is akin to cards like Ember Hauler for its same mana cost and aggressive early game presence. However, the distinction comes with Vulshok Heartstoker’s ability to grant a +2 power boost to another creature the turn it enters the battlefield, offering immediate tactical advantages to players looking to increase their offensive capabilities.
Another comparable card is the Bloodthirsty Ogre. While it offers the potential for increased power under the right conditions, it lacks the Heartstoker’s direct and guaranteed contribution to the board state. The Ogre’s dependency on an opponent losing life that turn to reap the +2/+2 counter benefit is not as straightforward as the immediate boost provided by the Heartstoker.
Ultimately, for players seeking to augment their game with high-impact plays, the Vulshok Heartstoker tends to stand out. Its arrival on the battlefield carries an immediate impact, propelling other creatures towards delivering powerful strikes and often catching opponents off guard. This distinct attribute underscores the Heartstoker’s place as a valuable asset in red aggro decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Vulshok Heartstoker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vulshok Heartstoker may not permit additional card draw directly, but by empowering another creature upon entry, it effectively enhances the value and board presence of your current hand, solidifying your game state.
Resource Acceleration: While the Vulshok Heartstoker itself does not generate extra mana, its ability to give a boost of +2/+0 can be pivotal in faster deck strategies, allowing you to leverage an aggressive game plan more efficiently and putting your opponent under pressure.
Instant Speed: Although Vulshok Heartstoker is a creature card and not cast at instant speed, its immediate impact when it hits the battlefield can be akin to an instant effect in aggressive red decks. This immediate augmentation can unexpectedly alter combat outcomes in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Vulshok Heartstoker does not have a discard requirement per se, it is important for players to consider potential downsides like this in cards with similar abilities. Not being able to maintain hand advantage could be detrimental in the long run.
Specific Mana Cost: The Heartstoker comes with a very specific mana requirement of one red and two other colors. This makes it less versatile and might restrict it to decks that can reliably produce red mana early on.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a creature that provides a +2/+0 boost, players might find it less efficient compared to other cards that offer more immediate or larger increases to a creature’s power and toughness.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vulshok Heartstoker serves as a solid addition to red creature-based decks aiming to amplify their offensive capabilities, providing a buff to creatures as it enters the battlefield.
Combo Potential: The ability to give a +2/+0 boost is an excellent synergy piece for red aggro or combo decks that can exploit increased attack power, especially when timing attacks or amplifying damage output with other abilities or spells.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors quick and aggressive playstyles, Vulshok Heartstoker can be an integral part of a strategy that seeks to outpace control decks by establishing a board presence that’s hard to manage.
How to beat
Vulshok Heartstoker is an intriguing creature card that brings a burst of energy to the battlefield, particularly alluring for its enter-the-battlefield ability to enhance another creature’s power. This ability mirrors the immediate impact offered by cards like Giant Growth, which provide a comparable instant increase in power, though without the presence of a body on the field.
Conversely, compared to the Heartstoker, cards like Swift Justice offer not only an uptick in power but also added protection through lifelink and first strike, albeit for a single turn. Then there’s the aspect to consider of creatures like Goblin Motivator, providing a consistent potential for power boosts through its ability to grant haste to other creatures.
In essence, overcoming the challenge presented by Vulshok Heartstoker involves understanding its one-time power boost and preparing strategies that outmaneuver its single use. Whether that’s through spells that offer more than just an increase in power, or creatures that have the potential for recurring benefits. By anticipating the Window of opportunity provided by its ability, one can efficiently manage the threats it presents.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vulshok Heartstoker MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Vulshok Heartstoker 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 Vulshok Heartstoker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |