Wall of Souls MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 75
2015-05-06 - Number 123
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
(Walls cannot attack.) Whenever Wall of Souls is dealt combat damage, it deals an equal amount of damage to target opponent.
"It is the nature of evil to turn you against yourself." —Starke
Cards like Wall of Souls
Wall of Souls is an intriguing defensive option in Magic: The Gathering. Its nearest counterpart could be Wall of Essence, which shares the same mana cost and also has a feature that turns damage into a benefit for the player. Whereas Wall of Souls inflicts that damage back to the opponent, Wall of Essence converts it into life for its controller, reflecting different strategic approaches to defense.
Another card worth mentioning is Stuffy Doll, which embodies a similar pain-reflecting mechanic. While it comes with a higher mana cost, Stuffy Doll has the added advantage of being indestructible, ensuring its presence on the battlefield persists. This makes it a suitable alternative for players looking to deal damage while maintaining a durable defensive stance. In comparison, Wall of Souls might not be as enduring, but its lower cost makes it a more accessible option in the early game.
Assessing these cards, Wall of Souls stands out due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness within the damage reflection archetype. It is an excellent choice for players who aim to establish early board control while dealing unexpected damage to their opponents.
Cards similar to Wall of Souls by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wall of Souls ensures continuous card advantage by serving as a deterrent to attackers. When enemies target it, the potential damage reflection influences opponents’ decisions, subtly guiding the flow of the game in your favor without the need to replace the card often.
Resource Acceleration: In decks that capitalize on defender synergies, Wall of Souls can be part of enabling strategies that lead to resource acceleration. It works well with cards that leverage defenders or black mana spells that benefit from creatures with a survival twist.
Instant Speed: Wall of Souls doesn’t have flash but functions similarly at instant speed by making it risky for opponents to attack, thus providing a form of control over their combat phase. This ability to affect the game during the enemy’s turn without expending resources at instant speed adds a layer of tactical depth to your defense.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Wall of Souls necessitates a strategic approach to defense, but be mindful that without a reliable way to replenish your hand, its deterrent effect might cost you valuable cards over time.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and colorless mana, Wall of Souls can strain your mana base, making it harder to cast in multicolored decks not heavily invested in black.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering resource allocation, the two mana investment for Wall of Souls might seem steep for a defensive creature, especially when other low-cost options may free up mana for pivotal spells to control the board.
Reasons to Include Wall of Souls in Your Collection
Versatility: Wall of Souls is a unique defender that can be a game-changer in various deck types. Its ability to deal damage equal to its toughness to the attacking player adds a layer of deterrence against foes, making it a strong addition to any defensive strategy.
Combo Potential: This card thrives in combinations with effects that increase toughness or inflict damage, allowing for dynamic gameplay. Consider pairing it with cards that can manipulate life totals or enhance its damage output for some surprising plays.
Meta-Relevance: Its relevance shines in a meta with aggressive creature-based strategies. Wall of Souls can act as a roadblock, disrupting the tempo of your opponent’s assault while potentially offering up a punishing counterattack, making it a solid pick for your collection.
How to beat
Wall of Souls is a unique defender in the Magic: The Gathering realm, known for its reflective damage ability. When faced with this tricky card, it’s essential to employ strategies that prevent direct combat damage. Cards with effects that don’t deal damage, such as those that force a player to sacrifice a creature or that exile creatures, can bypass Wall of Souls’ intimidating effect. Focus on using spells that sidestep the battlefield — think pacifism effects or enchantments that neutralize without causing damage.
Another effective method is utilizing creatures with abilities like trample or flying, bypassing the Wall’s presence entirely. This way, you can press the attack without fear of repercussion. Also consider sideboard options, including board wipes or direct removal spells, offering a clean solution to the Wall without triggering its punishing ability.
Understanding the limitations of Wall of Souls enables a well-prepared player to deftly navigate around its defenses. Strategic card choices and tactical play ensure this otherwise formidable defender becomes little more than a stumbling block on the path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wall of Souls MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Tempest Remastered, 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 Souls 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
Printings
The Wall of Souls Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by John Matson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 75 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Matson | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 123 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Matson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Souls has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wall of Souls 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 | Redirected damage is still combat damage, so it will trigger on combat damage that is redirected to it. |