War-Spike Changeling MTG Card
2008-02-01 - Number 112
2013-06-07 - Number 139
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Shapeshifter |
| Abilities | Changeling |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.) : War-Spike Changeling gains first strike until end of turn.
"Aren't there boggarts enough in Lorwyn? Couldn't it turn into a sheep? Or a sunflower?" —Olly of Goldmeadow
Cards like War-Spike Changeling
Exploring the realm of shapeshifters in Magic: The Gathering brings us to War-Spike Changeling. This creature card shares traits with other changelings, embodying every creature type at all times. In comparison, cards like Taurean Mauler and Chameleon Colossus also carry the changeling ability, enabling them to adapt fluidly to different tribal synergies and strategies. However, what sets War-Spike Changeling apart is its firebreathing ability, allowing players to boost its power at will with additional mana investment.
Diving deeper into comparisons, we encounter Mirror Entity, a versatile changeling with the power to scale all your creatures’ power and toughness in a single move. While War-Spike Changeling focuses on individual power augmentation, Mirror Entity can affect the entire battlefield, drastically altering your army’s strength. And then there’s Amoeboid Changeling, offering a more tactical application by granting or removing creature types, providing unique interaction opportunities that War-Spike Changeling doesn’t possess.
When considering utility and impact on gameplay, War-Spike Changeling claims a solid position in the lineup of creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its specialized ability to increase power makes it a formidable card under the right conditions.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: War-Spike Changeling may not directly let you draw extra cards, but its changeling trait ensures that it counts as all creature types. This synergizes with other cards that reward you for controlling certain creature types, potentially leading to card draw or other advantageous effects.
Resource Acceleration: While War-Spike Changeling itself doesn’t provide mana, it can be an easy fit in decks that benefit from having various creature types. This can accelerate your game plan by enabling tribal-themed cards that otherwise might be harder to activate without the proper creature type on the board.
Instant Speed: The key feature of War-Spike Changeling is its ability to gain haste for a single red mana. This means at any moment you have the potential to turn it into a swift attacker or blocker, responding strategically to the fluid dynamics of a game, essentially utilizing the haste ability at instant speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This creature demands a player to discard a card when an ability is used, which can deplete an already limited hand.
Specific Mana Cost: War-Spike Changeling requires a precise blend of mana to cast, specifically red, which can restrict its compatibility with multicolor decks not focused on this color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands four mana, this changeling’s utility is considered less efficient when compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket that may offer greater versatility or power.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: War-Spike Changeling offers a unique adaptability that can seamlessly join any tribal deck thanks to its changeling ability. This allows it to benefit from various tribal synergies and buffs common in MTG.
Combo Potential: This card works wonders in decks that look to capitalize on creature types. It can activate type-specific triggers or enhance strategies focused on creature type counts, making it a valuable combo piece in diverse MTG decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to adapt to the current meta-game, War-Spike Changeling becomes increasingly useful as tribal decks fluctuate in popularity. Its relevance in MTG is bolstered by its ability to mimic the most advantageous creature type at any point in gameplay.
How to beat
War-Spike Changeling may seem daunting with its ability to adapt to various tribal synergies in Magic: The Gathering. This shapeshifter can dynamically slot into any creature type, potentially becoming a significant on-board threat by benefiting from tribal buffs. To effectively counter it, consider cards that neutralize creature abilities such as Crippling Chill or pacifism spells like Oblivion Ring that can sideline it without triggering its changeling advantage.
Another strategic approach is to utilize board wipes like Day of Judgment, which can clear War-Spike Changeling along with other imposing creatures on the battlefield, regardless of their types. Players might also opt for targeted removal spells, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can handle this card without prejudice to its mutable nature. Lastly, employing instant-speed interaction allows you to react to its threats anytime, undermining its potential as a combat trick.
In essence, flexibility in your responses, along with a well-timed removal, are key to diminishing the impact War-Spike Changeling can have in your games, making it manageable within the complex strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase War-Spike Changeling MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Modern Masters, 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 War-Spike Changeling 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 War-Spike Changeling Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2013-06-07. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-02-01 | Morningtide | MOR | 112 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 139 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where War-Spike Changeling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |