Woolly Spider MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 279
2000-10-01 - Number 65
2001-12-01 - Number 30
2008-09-22 - Number 189
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spider |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Can block creatures with flying. If Woolly Spider is assigned to block a creature with flying, Woolly Spider gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
"We need not fear the forces of the air; I've yet to see a Spider without an appetite." —Taaveti of Kelsinko, Elvish Hunter
Cards like Woolly Spider
The Woolly Spider card brings an interesting dynamic to creature defense in Magic: The Gathering. This creature is often compared to fellow arachnid-themed cards like Giant Spider, which also boasts an impressive defense capability, notable for its ability to block flying creatures. However, where Woolly Spider diverges is in its special ability that does more than just provide reach, it also gets a boost in combat against flying creatures, akin to a built-in ‘Giant Growth’ during defensive plays.
Another parallel can be drawn with Sporecap Spider. They share the same traits in thwarting airborne attacks, but Woolly Spider edges out with its enhanced combat strength against flying creatures. Then there’s the Watcher in the Web, a formidable blocker that can block an astounding number of flying creatures at once. Although Watcher in the Web does not receive any power boosts, its sheer blocking potential makes it a unique alternative in the array of defensive creatures.
When evaluating creature cards with a focus on defensive capabilities against flyers, Woolly Spider provides a unique niche. Its ability to deter flying adversaries and become more daunting during combat makes it a card worth considering for decks that require robust airborne defense.
Cards similar to Woolly Spider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Woolly Spider doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it serves as a durable defender thanks to its ability to block creatures with flying. This ensures that it remains a constant on the battlefield, indirectly providing card advantage by negating the need to spend more cards on defense.
Resource Acceleration: The Woolly Spider may not provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense, but its low casting cost allows players to keep mana open for other vital spells and abilities, efficiently using resources throughout the match.
Instant Speed: Although this creature cannot be played at instant speed, it synergizes with decks that operate on instant speed dynamics. The spider demands an immediate answer from opponents, often at inopportune times, thus aligning with a strategy that thrives on quick and disruptive plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Woolly Spider doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded, but it’s important to consider when evaluating its synergies in a deck that discard effects can be a steep price to pay.
Specific Mana Cost: Woolly Spider requires both green and generic mana, which might not be a seamless fit in decks with a more diverse mana base or those aiming for a quicker setup.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with its abilities, the mana investment might not line up with the tempo of some games, potentially making it less favorable compared to lower-cost alternatives in your deck strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Woolly Spider is a unique addition that can adapt to a range of defensive strategies, providing not only a blocker with reach but also a deterrent for flying creatures which are prevalent in several deck archetypes.
Combo Potential: It synergizes well with cards that benefit from creatures with reach or those that can manipulate how damage is dealt during combat, making it a valuable niche pick for intricate combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on flying creatures, the Woolly Spider provides an efficient countermeasure. Its ability to deal with those threats while holding the ground makes it relevant in specific competitive scenes.
How to beat
Woolly Spider is a creature card that brings a unique defensive capability to the table in Magic: The Gathering. Its prowess lies in its ability to deter flying creatures, thanks to its reach attribute and the added bonus of the power boost during blocking. In this way, Woolly Spider can serve as a formidable obstacle against some of the most evasive and aggressive creatures in the air.
However, like most cards, Woolly Spider has vulnerabilities. Removing it from the battlefield can be achieved through direct removal spells, thus negating its defensive utility. Furthermore, spells or abilities that take away its special blocking advantages or its reach capability will effectively minimize its influence. Ground-based aggressive strategies that overwhelm a player before Woolly Spider has an impact can also be effective. Players might focus on building a wide board presence or leveraging removals and combat tricks to outpace the delay tactics that Woolly Spider represents.
To succinctly navigate around the Woolly Spider, one must strategize a blend of removal, speed, and evasion tactics, ensuring that its impact is nullified or rendered ineffective, thereby maintaining the momentum of your offensive maneuvers within your MTG gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Woolly Spider MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Beatdown Box Set, 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 Woolly Spider 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 Woolly Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Daniel Gelon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 279 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 65 | 1997 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 3 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 30 | 1997 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 4 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 189 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Woolly Spider has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |