Thunderscape Battlemage MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Kicker
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. It elevates board control, enabling hand disruption while advancing the player’s own game state.
  2. Multicolor mana requirements can limit deck compatibility but add strategic depth when utilized.
  3. While costly, its entwine option and versatility make it a potent addition to any MTG collection.

Text of card

Kicker o1o B and/or o G When Thunderscape Battlemage comes into play, if you paid the o1o B kicker cost, target player discards two cards from his or her hand. When Thunderscape Battlemage comes into play, if you paid the o G kicker cost, destroy target enchantment.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Thunderscape Battlemage card enables players to disrupt their opponent’s hand while simultaneously advancing their own board position. In one mode, it can make opponents discard, indirectly increasing your own card efficacy relative to theirs.

Resource Acceleration: While the Battlemage does not directly contribute to mana acceleration, it can provide a tempo swing by removing key threats or by forcing opponents to spend mana on their turn to recast spells from their hand that have been previously bounced to it.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of this card comes from being able to cast it at instant speed when entwined. This can lead to significant combat tricks or interactions on your opponent’s turn, making the Thunderscape Battlemage a versatile tool in matches, particularly in formats where instant speed interaction is key.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thunderscape Battlemage asks players to discard a card if they want to activate one of its kicker costs. This can be a setback, especially when hand size is a crucial factor and every card counts towards your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: To fully utilize Thunderscape Battlemage’s abilities, players need both black and red mana. This specific cost can be tricky in decks that aren’t strictly Rakdos or multi-color, potentially limiting the card’s versatility in various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its kicker abilities, Thunderscape Battlemage demands a hefty investment. Considering its combined mana cost to activate one or both kickers, players might find other cards at a lower cost with similar or better effects, leading to tough decisions during deck building.


Reasons to Include Thunderscape Battlemage in Your Collection

Versatility: Thunderscape Battlemage is a multi-functional card that can adapt to different game situations. It’s especially handy in decks that aim to control the board while offering both creature presence and utility.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a linchpin in combos, particularly due to its kicker effects which can either disrupt an opponent’s hand or clear the way by removing smaller creatures from the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where utility creatures are valuable, Thunderscape Battlemage provides an edge. Its ability to be tailored against specific threats gives it relevance in various metagames, remaining a prudent choice for any collection.


How to beat

Thunderscape Battlemage is a versatile creature card in Magic: The Gathering known for providing players with a choice of disruptive effects upon entering the battlefield. To effectively counteract this card, a strategic approach is essential. First, consider instant-speed removal spells that can deal with the Battlemage before its kicker costs trigger, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. Second, utilizing counter spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent the card from ever hitting the board, thereby neutralizing its abilities preemptively.

Another tactic involves playing around the Battlemage’s abilities by either emptying your hand when the discard effect is less impactful or by ensuring the protection of your creatures to mitigate the potential damage effect. Additionally, having a robust graveyard strategy can diminish the setback from discarding cards, as many decks can reutilize or benefit from this action. Lastly, crafting a board state that can withstand the Battlemage’s entrance makes its arrival less threatening. By maintaining a solid position, you can ensure that Thunderscape Battlemage’s presence doesn’t turn the game in your opponent’s favor.


Cards like Thunderscape Battlemage

In the landscape of Magic: The Gathering utility creatures, Thunderscape Battlemage emerges as a multifaceted option. Its kicker abilities afford it the sophistication of a Swiss army knife within the game, capable of adaptively responding to various threats on the battlefield. This versatility is somewhat mirrored in cards like Nekrataal or Skinrender, which offer targeted creature destruction upon entering the battlefield.

However, Thunderscape Battlemage pulls ahead with the ability to also disrupt an opponent’s hand, a trait more akin to Duress or Thoughtseize, albeit at a higher mana cost. Comparatively, Nekrataal and Skinrender are limited to the board, unable to touch the strategical sanctum that is the player’s hand. In addition, Thunderscape Battlemage’s flexibility comes at the cost of committing to additional mana to unlock either kicker effect, a strategic decision that must be weighed against its competitors.

While each card has its situational advantages, Thunderscape Battlemage stands out for its dual functionality. For players seeking direct creature removal or hand disruption in a single card slot, Thunderscape Battlemage can serve as an efficient tool, provided the right mana investment is available. It’s a powerful contender among MTG’s array of multifunctional creatures.

Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Skinrender - MTG Card versions
Duress - MTG Card versions
Thoughtseize - MTG Card versions
Nekrataal - Visions (VIS)
Skinrender - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Duress - Urza's Saga (USG)
Thoughtseize - Lorwyn (LRW)

Cards similar to Thunderscape Battlemage by color, type and mana cost

Adun Oakenshield - MTG Card versions
Xira Arien - MTG Card versions
Caldera Kavu - MTG Card versions
Sprouting Thrinax - MTG Card versions
Jund Battlemage - MTG Card versions
Scarland Thrinax - MTG Card versions
Jund Sojourners - MTG Card versions
Gyrus, Waker of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Crew Captain - MTG Card versions
Henzie "Toolbox" Torre - MTG Card versions
Effluence Devourer - MTG Card versions
Slimefoot and Squee - MTG Card versions
Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Adun Oakenshield - Masters Edition (ME1)
Xira Arien - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Caldera Kavu - Planeshift (PLS)
Sprouting Thrinax - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Jund Battlemage - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Scarland Thrinax - Commander 2013 (C13)
Jund Sojourners - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Gyrus, Waker of Corpses - Commander 2018 (C18)
Crew Captain - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)
Henzie "Toolbox" Torre - New Capenna Commander (NCC)
Effluence Devourer - Alchemy: New Capenna (YSNC)
Slimefoot and Squee - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Indoraptor, the Perfect Hybrid - Jurassic World Collection (REX)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thunderscape Battlemage MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Thunderscape Battlemage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thunderscape Battlemage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by Mike Ploog.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-02-05PlaneshiftPLS 751997normalblackMike Ploog
22001-08-08World Championship Decks 2001WC01 jt75sb1997normalgoldMike Ploog
32002-08-14World Championship Decks 2002WC02 bk75sb1997normalgoldMike Ploog
42010-03-19Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the CoalitionDDE 412003normalblackMike Ploog

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thunderscape Battlemage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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