Frostwielder MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Shaman
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	167
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Christopher Moeller

Key Takeaways

This card’s tap ability offers strategic board control, dealing with creatures without spending extra cards.
Flexibility at instant speed allows players to disrupt opponents’ strategies at critical moments.
Frostwielder’s activation cost and color specificity may limit its utility in certain deck builds.

Text of card

: Frostwielder deals 1 damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage by Frostwielder this turn would be put into a graveyard, remove it from the game instead.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Frostwielder provides incremental advantage by potentially removing multiple creatures from the board over the course of a game without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Frostwielder itself does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to control the board can preserve your life and other resources, effectively giving you more time to deploy your own threats and manage your mana more effectively.

Instant Speed: Frostwielder’s ability can be activated at instant speed, offering the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, or at the end of their turn to clear a path for your offensive strategies without sacrificing your ability to react.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Frostwielder possesses an ability to control the battlefield, it comes with the caveat of necessitating a discard to activate this potential. This can pose a strategic bottleneck, especially when your hand is depleted and every card is crucial to maintain the momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Frostwielder’s reliance on a particular type of mana (red) can restrict its inclusion to decks that are aligned with that color’s strategy. This can be a hurdle in deck-building, potentially sidelining this card in more diverse mana decks that can’t afford such specialization.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating resources to a card that serves a specialized purpose can be a substantial investment. In the case of Frostwielder, its activation cost is steep when contrasted with other cards that offer more immediate or impactful results. Players might find that this cost doesn’t justify its inclusion, considering the pace at which most games progress and the importance of efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Frostwielder offers a flexible removal option that suits various playstyles. Whether it’s disrupting creature-based strategies or just keeping the board clear, it easily synergizes with decks that can untap creatures or use damage enhancements.

Combo Potential: With its ability to ping creatures or players, Frostwielder pairs well with cards that capitalize on dealing damage. Moreover, it can be part of an infinite damage combo when combined with cards that untap it repeatedly.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small creatures are prevalent or where incremental advantage is key, Frostwielder can consistently control the board state. Its impact is felt in games that stretch longer, giving you an edge in attrition wars.

How to beat

Frostwielder is an intriguing card with the ability to ping creatures or players by tapping, making it a continuous threat on the board. To effectively counter Frostwielder, the key is to remove it swiftly before it can control the field. Instant-speed removal spells are your best ally. You can employ cards like Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile for a quick takedown, mitigating any advantage your opponent might gain.

Enchantment-based solutions like Pacifism also work well by neutralizing Frostwielder without having to remove it from the battlefield. It’s also worth noting that cards with hexproof or shroud can evade Frostwielder’s targeted ability, rendering it a non-threat. Lastly, cards that prevent tapping or abilities from being activated, such as Linvala, Keeper of Silence, can shut down Frostwielder effectively, leaving it as nothing more than a blocker.

Ensuring that you have answers in your deck to deal with cards like Frostwielder is a good practice in deck building—anticipating potential threats and having versatile solutions ready is a mark of a prepared player. Managing threats early and maintaining board control is essential for emerging victorious against decks utilizing cards with tap abilities.

Cards like Frostwielder

Frostwielder presents a unique dynamic within the realm of Magic: The Gathering tap abilities. It aligns with Prodigal Pyromancer in offering the ability to deal damage directly to any target creature or player. Still, Frostwielder’s icy twist requires the creature it damages to be incapacitated for a longer period, signifying a subtle yet potentially game-changing difference. This ability to lock down threats can give players a decisive advantage over the traditional fire-based creature pings.

Similar to the Frostwielder, Kumano, Master Yamabushi also wields the power to ping, but with a significant upgrade in form and function. Kumano can target any creature or player as well, and the cards exiled via its damage leave opponents with fewer recovery options, making it a formidable inclusion in any deck aiming for control through direct damage.

Assessing the tactical applications of these abilities, Frostwielder stands out in control-focused decks, particularly for its synergy with cards that prevent or reduce damage. Its chilling effect on opponents’ creatures can shift the game’s momentum, proving its worth in strategic builds of Magic: The Gathering.

Kumano, Master Yamabushi - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Frostwielder by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Frostwielder MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Frostwielder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Frostwielder has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frostwielder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.