Snow Fortress MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Wall
Abilities Defender
Power 0
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Snow Fortress provides a sturdy defense, potentially conserving creatures and preserving players’ hand resources.
  2. Instant speed activation affords the flexibility to respond to opponents’ threats in real-time.
  3. The requirement to discard for activation can prove costly, weighing down its strategic value.

Text of card

Counts as a wall o1: +1/+0 until end of turn o1: +0/+1 until end of turn o3: Snow Fortress deals 1 damage to target creature without flying that is attacking you.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Snow Fortress offers potential card advantage by providing a defensive barrier that can protect your valuable creatures or planeswalkers. This can indirectly lead to retaining more cards in hand as you are not forced to play additional threats prematurely.

Resource Acceleration: For decks that utilize snow mana, the Snow Fortress can play a vital role in accelerating your resources. Its ability to tap for snow mana fits seamlessly into snow-themed decks, allowing for a more consistent development of your board state.

Instant Speed: The versatility of the Snow Fortress is enhanced by its option to activate at instant speed. This flexibility means you can adapt to the board on the fly, providing an unexpected layer of defense during an opponent’s turn. Moreover, it can reactively adjust to game states without preempting your own turn’s actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential drawback of the Snow Fortress card is the necessity to discard another card from your hand. This can create a strategic disadvantage, especially when your options are already limited or when the discarded card is crucial for your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: The Snow Fortress requires a dedicated mana investment, including snow mana, to cast. This specific mana requirement can sometimes be restrictive, narrowing its inclusion to decks that can consistently produce or have access to snow mana, which may not be a fit for all strategies or deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost associated with Snow Fortress is on the higher side when compared with other defensive options available in MTG. Its cost may prove to be prohibitive in a game where tempo and early board presence are key, potentially leading players to consider more cost-efficient alternatives for control and defense.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Snow Fortress has a place in decks that capitalize on its unique status as a snow permanent. This allows it to be a flexible defensive asset, capable of protecting your life total while synergizing with other snow mechanics.

Combo Potential: The ability to both deal damage and prevent it makes Snow Fortress a key component in combos that manipulate the number of counters on permanents or take advantage of damage redirection to control the board state.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Snow Fortress can act as a recurring obstacle. Its enduring presence on the battlefield can deter attacks, making it a relevant defensive measure for many game scenarios.


How to beat

Snow Fortress stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a card that can challenge players with its defensive capabilities. This artifact creature card becomes a formidable obstacle when fortified with snow mana, boosting its defense significantly. To penetrate this icy barrier, consider employing artifact removal spells that dismantle its defenses, like Abrade or Shatter, which can destroy Snow Fortress without the need to engage it in combat. Alternatively, cards such as Meltdown, which targets all artifacts and costs less for each snow mana used, can be particularly effective.

When facing Snow Fortress, it’s also strategic to focus on abilities that circumvent traditional combat. Using effects that cause loss of life directly or applying “exile” mechanics, for example with Path to Exile, sidesteps its defensive strength altogether. Moreover, targeting the player rather than the creature with strategies that deal damage regardless of the battlefield state can be key to claiming victory. Ultimately, understanding the versatility of your deck and including versatile removal tools will ensure you’re prepared for any icy constructs that stand in your way.


Cards like Snow Fortress

Nestled within the icy expanses of Magic’s deck-building landscape, Snow Fortress offers a unique form of protection comparable to other notable defender creatures. Resembling the Guardian of the Ages for its durability, Snow Fortress differentiates itself with the ability to shield players each turn, a trait not found in the guardian’s repertoire. The fortress redefines resilience with potential for offense and defense, a duality rarely seen in its counterparts.

Like Wall of Frost, a prominent defender, Snow Fortress has the underlying snow synergy which can be leveraged in decks featuring snow mechanics. It does, however, trade the instantaneous freezing of attackers seen in Wall of Frost for a consistent, albeit costlier, fortification. Another kin, Glacial Wall, stands proud for simplicity and efficiency, yet it lacks the adaptability of Snow Fortress, which can strengthen its offense if the battlefield demands.

All in all, snow-themed decks see Snow Fortress as more than just a barrier. It’s a versatile asset that, given the right circumstances, can turn the tides by bridging the roles of impassible object and imposing weapon, a multifacet not common in other defensive creatures within MTG.

Guardian of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Wall of Frost - MTG Card versions
Glacial Wall - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Ages - Magic 2014 (M14)
Wall of Frost - Magic 2010 (M10)
Glacial Wall - Ice Age (ICE)

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Soldevi Steam Beast - Alliances (ALL)
Urza's Engine - Alliances (ALL)
Sand Golem - Mirage (MIR)
Pandora's Box - Astral Cards (PAST)
Belbe's Portal - Nemesis (NEM)
Crumbling Sanctuary - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Mind's Eye - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
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Batterskull - The List (PLST)
Coat of Arms - The List (PLST)
Clockwork Vorrac - Mirrodin (MRD)
Timesifter - Mirrodin (MRD)
Leveler - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Gilded Lotus - Warhammer 40,000 Commander (40K)
Myr Matrix - Darksteel (DST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Snow Fortress MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Masters Edition II, 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 Snow Fortress and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Snow Fortress Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 3371993normalblackJeff A. Menges
22008-09-22Masters Edition IIME2 2201997normalblackJeff A. Menges

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Snow Fortress has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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