Wall of Resistance MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender,Flying |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 46 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Harold McNeill |
Text of card
Flying At the end of any turn in which Wall of Resistance is dealt damage, put a +0/+1 counter on it.
Telim'Tor could no longer recall the exact number of assaults—but his troops could.
Cards like Wall of Resistance
Wall of Resistance stands as a unique defensive option in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cumbersome defenders like Wall of Denial, which is also known for its ability to halt enemy forces, thanks to its respectable toughness and formidable flying block. However, Wall of Resistance introduces a dynamic strategy with its prowess to strengthen whenever it’s dealt damage, embodying a resilience that Wall of Denial and similar static defenders lack.
Another comparable protective unit is Wall of Shards. This wall also encompasses the ice theme and has the power to accumulate counters, but whereas Wall of Shards gains cumulative upkeep counters, Wall of Resistance gains +0/+1 counters when damaged, enhancing its long-term survivability. Reflecting on Guardian of the Ages, which evolves from a passive sentinel to an aggressive behemoth upon being targeted, Wall of Resistance remains focused on defense, capitalizing on sustained durability over transformation.
The characteristic that positions Wall of Resistance ahead in a defense context is its adaptability in enduring damage. As players weigh their deck-building options, the evolving toughness of Wall of Resistance offers a strategic edge in enduring assaults over time.
Cards similar to Wall of Resistance by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wall of Resistance, despite not directly offering card draw, can indirectly contribute to card advantage by surviving many battles. Its ability to gain a +0/+1 counter after a damage source keeps it on the battlefield longer, effectively saving cards in your hand that would otherwise be used to replace it.
Resource Acceleration: As a low mana-cost defense card, Wall of Resistance allows you to allocate resources elsewhere. By investing just a small amount of mana to deploy this durable wall, your deck’s resources can be accelerated towards more potent threats or game-winning strategies. It acts as an early game investment that pays off by freeing up your mana in future turns.
Instant Speed: While Wall of Resistance itself is not an instant, its triggered ability operates at instant speed. This means that each time it’s targeted by spells or abilities that inflict damage, it instantly gets stronger before damage is dealt. This reactive bolstering not only discourages opponents from targeting it but also enables it to survive effects and spells your opponents cast during their turn, without requiring any mana investment from you at that time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One significant downside of Wall of Resistance is that to trigger its ability, you often need to discard another card or have a spell target it, which can be challenging in a tight game situation where each card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This wall requires a precise blend of mana to cast, including one colorless and two white mana. This requirement can be tricky for multi-color decks to meet, especially in the early game where mana flexibility is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that serves primarily as a defensive measure, Wall of Resistance’s mana cost is on the higher side. Considering it starts as a relatively weak creature, players may prefer other defensive options that offer more immediate board impact for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Wall of Resistance in Your Collection
Versatility: Wall of Resistance has a unique place in defense-oriented decks, contributing to a sturdy early-game blockade against aggressive strategies. Its ability to increase toughness each time it’s targeted, ensures that it remains relevant at various stages of the game.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in setups that exploit targeting mechanics. Pairing Wall of Resistance with spells and abilities that target your own creatures can steadily transform it into a formidable obstacle that’s hard to overcome.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where direct removal spells are rampant, Wall of Resistance can be a persistent nuisance for opponents. As it dodges damage and grows stronger, it can effectively challenge the tempo of popular removal-heavy decks.
How to beat
Wall of Resistance presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to boost its defense whenever it is targeted by spells or abilities. This makes it a tricky card to remove using traditional removal spells. To effectively contain this card, players should look towards board wipes like Wrath of God or Doomskar, which can neutralize it without targeting. Alternatively, evasion strategies, allowing creatures to bypass the Wall and direct attacks to the opponent, help in mitigating its defensive capabilities.
Employing spells that don’t target, like Pyroclasm or Earthquake, is also an efficient way to manage its rising defense without directly interacting with it. Bypassing the Wall with flying or unblockable creatures can help maintain pressure on the opponent. Furthermore, using enchantments like Pacifism restricts the Wall’s ability to block without increasing its toughness, rendering it harmless on the field.
Understanding the mechanics at play with Wall of Resistance and adapting your strategy to use non-targeting removals or evasion techniques is the key to outmaneuvering this particular defense in the game of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wall of Resistance MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Wall of Resistance 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 Wall of Resistance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wall of Resistance card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | It gets only one counter a turn, not one per point of damage. |