Razorgrass Screen MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Wall |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Released | 2004-06-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fifth Dawn |
| Set code | 5DN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 145 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tony Szczudlo |
Key Takeaways
- Card advantage through deterrence allows Razorgrass Screen to subtly influence the game.
- Its instant speed activation adds a layer of defense adaptability in matches.
- Discarding to activate has its downsides, especially with a low hand.
Text of card
(Walls can't attack.) Razorgrass Screen blocks each turn if able.
Hand-stitched, and marked by the blood of the Auriok.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Razorgrass Screen can often go unnoticed when it’s on the battlefield, making it a sleeper hit for card advantage. While it doesn’t draw you cards directly, it can deter opponents from attacking, effectively buying you turns to draw into your game-defining spells.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly ramp your mana, but it contributes to resource acceleration by preserving your life total. By staying out of the red zone longer, you’re able to deploy your mana sources and develop your board without pressure, leading to a more robust late-game position.
Instant Speed: The key ability of Razorgrass Screen is not timerestricted, allowing you to optimize its activation. Its versatility at instant speed means you can adapt to the battlefield on the fly, ensuring that your defenses are up at precisely the right moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Razorgrass Screen comes with a caveat as players must discard another card to utilize its ability. This makes it a situational pick, especially when your hand is already running low on cards, which can offset the balance of maintaining a good card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Razorgrass Screen demands a fixed green mana to play, which naturally aligns it with green-centric or green-inclusive decks. Players running multi-color or other color-focused decks might find the mana requirement restrictive, hindering the card’s overall versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing four mana to summon this artifact creature might be judged as costly, comparing unfavorably with other options. Given the competitive nature of the game, where every mana point counts, players may opt for alternatives that provide more impact or utility for a similar, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Razorgrass Screen in Your Collection
Versatility: Razorgrass Screen isn’t locked into a single deck archetype. Its value comes through in any strategy that seeks to fortify its defenses with low-cost artifacts. This card can effortlessly slide into artifact-centric or defensive decks, enhancing either the quality of your defense or serving as a springboard for artifact synergies.
Combo Potential: With its status as an artifact creature, Razorgrass Screen opens the door for interactions with cards that care about either artifacts or creatures. It could be the missing piece in a combo, activating abilities or contributing to a larger artifact-count for potent game-winning plays.
Meta-Relevance: As aggro decks frequently look to overrun players with swift attacks, Razorgrass Screen offers a cost-efficient means to deter early game pressure. It serves as a practical piece in a format where preventing early damage can be crucial to stabilizing and executing your long-term strategy.
How to beat
Razorgrass Screen might look inconspicuous as a common artifact creature, but under the right circumstances, it can be more than a mere speed bump for attacking creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This unassuming defender is known for its ability to thwart early combat strategies, especially against creatures with low power. Its accessibility at one mana makes it appropriate for decks that aim to establish board presence quickly while gearing up for larger plays.
One effective strategy to circumvent the Razorgrass Screen’s defense is to employ flying creatures. Since Razorgrass Screen lacks reach or flying, it isn’t capable of obstructing aerial attackers, making flyers a straightforward solution. Removal spells, such as Shatter or Naturalize, can also efficiently dispatch this metallic barrier, considering its artifact creature status. Additionally, focusing on non-combat win conditions can bypass Razorgrass Screen altogether, as it has no influence outside of blocking.
Ultimately, while Razorgrass Screen has its utility in specific deck types, its limitations are noticeable. A wisely constructed deck with the right mix of creatures, removal, and alternative win conditions shouldn’t find Razorgrass Screen to be a significant threat, but rather a minor nuisance that can be effectively managed with some thought and preparation.
Cards like Razorgrass Screen
Razorgrass Screen is an intriguing option for players seeking efficient defensive artifacts in Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison could be made to cards like Wall of Tanglecord, which also serves as a low-cost defense mechanism. Razorgrass Screen differentiates itself with a singular mana to activate, offering a cost-effective barrier from turn one, albeit with the downside of a single point of toughness.
Moving to another similar card, Shield Sphere stands out with its zero casting cost, providing immediate board presence with a substantial toughness. However, unlike Razorgrass Screen, its defense diminishes with each attack it blocks. Then we have Steel Wall, presenting a middle ground. It has a comparable mana cost and toughness, yet lacks the flexibility of being a 0/6 blocker like Shield Sphere or the single mana activation of Razorgrass Screen.
When evaluating these artifacts against each other, Razorgrass Screen emerges as a practical and economical choice for early game protection, reflecting a balanced trade-off between affordability and defensive value within its card type. It holds a unique position for MTG enthusiasts who aim to fortify their defense right out of the gates.
Cards similar to Razorgrass Screen by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Razorgrass Screen MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Razorgrass Screen and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Razorgrass Screen has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |