Spincrusher MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Construct
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Power	0
Toughness	2
Number	144
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Spincrusher can replace itself in hand by fetching creatures, aiding in maintaining card advantage.
Accelerates board presence by putting creatures into play directly, enhancing resource development.
Its instant speed ability allows for flexible responses and strategic adaptation during games.

Text of card

Whenever Spincrusher blocks, put a +1/+1 counter on it. Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spincrusher: Spincrusher is unblockable this turn.

It rolls with the punches.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spincrusher grants you the potential to maintain card parity with your opponent. When it’s activated, you essentially replace the card with another creature from your deck, keeping your hand full and your options open.

Resource Acceleration: Spincrusher might not directly produce mana or tokens, but it accelerates your board presence by putting creatures directly into play. This can be particularly powerful when fetching creatures that have synergistic abilities or those that further advance your mana resources.

Instant Speed: This card’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond during your opponent’s turn. You can adapt to the evolving game state, potentially substituting a blocking creature or by simply adding to your board when the time is most opportune.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spincrusher’s necessity for discarding another card to unlock its full potential can pose a setback. This becomes particularly challenging when your hand is dwindling, restricting strategic options and possibly ceding ground to opponents who capitalize on card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding both colorless and red mana, Spincrusher’s casting requirements may not seamlessly integrate into a multicolored deck. The demand for red mana can thwart the synergy within decks that don’t primarily utilize red’s resources, therefore limiting its adaptability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of four mana to place Spincrusher into play can be burdensome, especially when other cards in the same mana range may offer more immediate or impactful effects. This could divert resources that might be better allocated to spells or creatures that affect board state more favorably or provide more substantial benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Spincrusher card adds flexibility to various deck builds as it serves multiple roles. It can act as a deterrent for opponents’ creatures while also being a reliable artifact that can synergize with artifact-focused strategies.

Combo Potential: Spincrusher’s ability to grow in power with each spin counters opens the door to numerous combo opportunities. It can become quite a formidable force in decks designed around +1/+1 counters or those that untap creatures for various effects.

Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscapes of MTG play, keeping up with dominant deck types is crucial. Spincrusher can be particularly helpful against decks that rely on smaller creatures, as it can easily outgrow them, while offering a recurring threat that demands an answer.

How to beat

Spincrusher is an intriguing MTG card that can potentially tip the scales in your opponent’s favor by accumulating +1/+1 counters with every attack, provided it is not blocked. Dealing with this card can be tricky, as it gets stronger over time and can quickly become a substantial threat on the board. However, there are efficient ways to handle this kind of threat.

Removal spells are your first line of defense against Spincrusher. The earlier you can take it off the board, the better. Options like Doom Blade, or more comprehensive solutions like Wrath of God, can clear Spincrusher before it spirals out of control. Additionally, strategies involving creatures with deathtouch can deter your opponent from attacking with Spincrusher, as they risk losing it in combat. Moreover, countering Spincrusher upon casting with a spell like Counterspell prevents it from ever entering the battlefield and starting its dangerous accumulation of counters.

Implementing any of these strategies should provide you with a solid countermeasure to Spincrusher, keeping the game in your favor and stopping your opponent from leveraging its potential. Remember, proactive and reactive tactics are key in maintaining control over cards with the ability to grow in power.

Cards like Spincrusher

In the realm of combat-centric creatures in MTG, Spincrusher stands out as a unique artifact creature. It bears similarities to the likes of Arcbound Slith, where gaining +1/+1 counters is a result of combat damage to players. Unlike Arcbound Slith, Spincrusher doesn’t gain the counters from any combat damage, it needs to be unblocked. Although Spincrusher requires a bit more finesse to leverage its potential, both cards thrive in aggressive artifact-based strategies.

Analogous to Spincrusher is Phantom Nishoba, another creature that can become a significant threat over time. Phantom Nishoba, much like our artifact friend, benefits greatly from not being blocked due to its protection features. However, Spincrusher has an edge with its built-in evasion ability that makes it trickier for opponents to block, assuming you have the means to untap it.

When evaluating Spincrusher in the context of creature-based strategies in MTG, its inclination for incremental advantage and evasion tactics presents a specific role within artifact decks. It doesn’t have the immediate impact of some creature cards but can become a persistent and growing threat if left unchecked in the right deck.

Cards similar to Spincrusher by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spincrusher MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Spincrusher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spincrusher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal