Stromkirk Patrol MTG Card

Innistrad (ISD)
2011-09-30 - Number 118

Stromkirk Patrol - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
2016-08-26 - Number 149

Stromkirk Patrol - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 784

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number CN2-149

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Vampire Soldier
Power	4
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Stromkirk Patrol offers card advantage through continued power growth from combat damage to players.
Although lacking instant speed, its scalable threat level can influence the game like instants.
High mana cost and discard requirements are potential downsides to consider in deckbuilding.

Text of card

Whenever Stromkirk Patrol deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.

"You'd best move along, human. Our palates are far less discerning than our master's."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stromkirk Patrol enables you to potentially draw more cards as it grows in power. Each time it deals combat damage to a player, it gains a +1/+1 counter, which can lead to a formidable creature presence and increased card draw if paired with the right synergies.

Resource Acceleration: While Stromkirk Patrol doesn’t directly accelerate resources, a larger creature can indirectly lead to resource advantages. A substantial presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking, effectively buying time to draw into mana and other resources.

Instant Speed: Although Stromkirk Patrol is a creature and does not have instant speed, its continuous growth per attack can have a lasting impact akin to having multiple spells at your disposal. This sustained threat often demands an immediate answer from your opponent, much like the pressure instants can create.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stromkirk Patrol requires you to discard a card to activate its abilities. In certain situations, this prerequisite can force you to give up an essential element when you’re already resource-constrained, potentially disrupting your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a mana cost that includes black mana, which means it is specifically designed for black-centric or multicolored decks. If your deck isn’t built to consistently produce black mana, Stromkirk Patrol may end up being a dead draw during critical moments of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Stromkirk Patrol comes with a relatively high overall mana cost, making it a slower option for aggressive strategies that favor low-cost creatures for a quick board presence. In the environment where tempo plays a pivotal role, the mana investment in Stromkirk Patrol might not align well with more tempo-oriented or cost-effective creature plays.

Reasons to Include Stromkirk Patrol in Your Collection

Versatility: Stromkirk Patrol has a simple mana cost and a straightforward ability which allows it to be a solid choice in vampire-themed decks as well as any black-based midrange decks. Its ability to grow stronger with each opponent’s creature death makes it adaptable in a variety of game situations.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with mechanics that force opponent creatures to perish, increasing its power regularly. In decks designed around sacrifice and removal spells, Stromkirk Patrol can quickly become a major threat on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies are dominant, Stromkirk Patrol can be an effective tool. Each creature that goes down not only tilts the board in your favor but also buffs Stromkirk Patrol, potentially giving you an edge over the opposing forces.

How to beat

Stromkirk Patrol is a vampire ally that can be starkly strategic for players who adore incremental advantages in MTG. With its power growing every time you deal damage to a player, it can quickly become a towering threat if left unchecked. Encounters with this creature usually ensue in the later stages of the game, which provides ample time to strategize an effective response.

Countering Stromkirk Patrol’s ascension requires a proactive approach. Deploying removal spells before it can accumulate a significant number of +1/+1 counters is essential. Instant-speed interaction is key, allowing you to react during your opponent’s turn or in response to combat damage triggers. Board wipes are also highly effective against a creature that relies on consistent damage to strengthen its presence on the battlefield. Additionally, utilizing creatures with deathtouch can deter attacks and act as a deterrent for creatures that intend to grow through combat.

Ultimately, maintaining control over Stromkirk Patrol’s board presence is about timing and the efficient use of removal resources. By understanding this creature’s mechanism for strength growth, players can deftly maneuver around it, neutralizing its potential before it becomes unstoppable in the game.

Cards like Stromkirk Patrol

Stromkirk Patrol joins the ranks of Magic: The Gathering’s vampire warriors poised to strengthen your strategy in a creature-focused deck. When considering alternatives within the vampire theme, Child of Night springs to mind as it provides lifelink, though it doesn’t share the same ability to grow with each enemy creature that dies. Another comparable card is Bloodthirsty Aerialist — both are equipped to gain +1/+1 counters; however, the Aerialist relies on you gaining life for its power to increase.

Sanguine Statuette is another card worth mentioning for synergy in vampire decks, offering steady lifegain and an eventual transformation into a potent vampire creature. Comparatively, Stromkirk Patrol has a strictly combat-related ability. Finally, considering Markov Blademaster, a card that also accumulates +1/+1 counters, differs in that it encourages an aggressive playstyle directly through double strike, unlike the incremental growth of the Patrol through grinding down opponents over time.

In summary, while there are several intriguing comparative cards in MTG’s extense collection, Stromkirk Patrol holds its own with a unique play strategy where controlling the battlefield translates into amplified strength, making it a solid option in vampire-themed decks that benefit from the attrition of foes.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stromkirk Patrol MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Stromkirk Patrol and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stromkirk Patrol Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2011-09-30	Innistrad	ISD	118	2003	Normal	Black	Karl Kopinski
2	2016-08-26	Conspiracy: Take the Crown	CN2	149	2015	Normal	Black	Karl Kopinski
3	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	784	2015	Normal	Black	Karl Kopinski
4	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	CN2-149	2015	Normal	Black	Karl Kopinski