Stronghold Discipline MTG Card

Nemesis (NEM)
2000-02-14 - Number 73

Stronghold Discipline - Tenth Edition (10E)

Tenth Edition (10E)
2007-07-13 - Number 181

Stronghold Discipline - Conspiracy (CNS)

Conspiracy (CNS)
2014-06-06 - Number 126

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Deals damage based on hand size, offering a potent battle swing when holding numerous cards.
Clears multiple threats instantly, paving the way for unobstructed gameplay progression.
Instant speed casting introduces unpredictability, disrupting opponent strategies effectively.

Text of card

Each player loses 1 life for each creature he or she controls.

"Crovax never passes up an opportunity to cause widespread misery." —Belbe

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stronghold Discipline provides a significant edge in attrition wars by dealing damage equal to the number of cards in your hand. This mechanic can swing the game in your favor, especially when your hand is full, turning card quantity into direct impact on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana ramp, the card’s ability to clear the board can indirectly accelerate your game plan. By removing key threats and creatures, it allows you to progress with less resistance, seamlessly advancing your board state without the need to commit additional resources.

Instant Speed: Reactivity is key in MTG, and Stronghold Discipline can be cast at instant speed, offering the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plays. Whether it’s in response to a major threat being cast or at the end-game to finish off an opponent, the ability to act at any time creates strategic depth and unpredictability in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stronghold Discipline requires the player to discard a card upon casting. This can backfire in games where maintaining a substantial hand size is crucial to outmaneuvering opponents or when the player’s hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana cost involving black mana, which can be restrictive for decks that aren’t heavily invested in black or are multicolored, hence limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its higher mana cost, Stronghold Discipline may not be the most mana-efficient choice for its effect. Players might find other cards that accomplish similar goals without the same level of investment, potentially freeing up resources for other strategic plays during a game.

Reasons to Include Stronghold Discipline in Your Collection

Versatility: Stronghold Discipline is a spell with the flexibility to be used in various deck types. It shines in control or midrange decks focused on clearing the board and maintaining dominance over the game’s tempo.

Combo Potential: This card can serve as a potent finisher in combo decks aiming to win through life drain. It amplifies the damage dealt to opponents when combined with cards that increase life loss or with multiple creatures on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board states are often crowded with creature-heavy strategies, Stronghold Discipline offers a significant swing in board control and life totals, making it a relevant addition to your arsenal.

How to Beat Stronghold Discipline

Stronghold Discipline stands as a challenge for players seeking to maintain a wide board presence. This card can turn the tide of the game by dealing damage based on the number of creatures you control. It’s essential to understand that minimizing the impact of Stronghold Discipline involves careful strategy around creature numbers. Keep your creature count low and focus on having fewer, more substantial threats that can withstand the life-draining effect.

Flexibility in your playstyle is crucial when up against this card. Consider incorporating spells that grant indestructibility or the ability to sacrifice creatures as a response, thus negating the damage inflicted by Stronghold Discipline. Additionally, employing graveyard recovery mechanics can help you bounce back quickly if you do lose creatures to its effect. By adapting your strategy and having the right countermeasures in place, you can reduce Stronghold Discipline’s influence and retain control over the battlefield.

In essence, surviving the devastating force of Stronghold Discipline in MTG revolves around strategic planning and being prepared to adjust your tactics mid-game. With the right approach, you can effectively nullify its power and keep your position in the game strong.

Cards like Stronghold Discipline

Stronghold Discipline emerges as a noteworthy spell in Magic: The Gathering, featuring an impactful life loss mechanic that can sway the game. It holds similarities to certain other cards that dish out damage to opponents based on certain conditions. One such card is Exsanguinate, which also drains life from opponents and gives you life in return. However, Exsanguinate scales with the amount of mana invested, making it potentially more devastating in the late game.

Another related card is Gray Merchant of Asphodel, affectionately known as Gary in MTG circles. Like Stronghold Discipline, Gary causes each opponent to lose life and you gain life equal to the amount lost. The key difference is that Gary’s effect is based on your devotion to black, which might offer a more controllable effect depending on your deck’s composition. Conversely, Stronghold Discipline’s reach is everyone’s creature count, marking its unique take on collective punishment.

Ultimately, Stronghold Discipline stands out amongst its peers for its potential to inflict substantial life loss in decks dense with creatures, particularly ones that multiply or create tokens. This quality may just propel it to be a card to watch out for in games where a crowded battlefield is inevitable.

Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stronghold Discipline by color, type and mana cost

Terisiare's Devastation - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stronghold Discipline MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Tenth Edition, 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 Stronghold Discipline and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Stronghold Discipline Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.