Thornscape Master MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	216
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Larry Elmore

Key Takeaways

Thornscape Master offers card advantage through its ability to influence the board state and manage threats.
Instant speed abilities of Thornscape Master provide flexible and strategic reaction opportunities during gameplay.
Despite its power, the card’s dual-color and high mana requirements may limit deck construction flexibility.

Text of card

o Ro R, oc T: Thornscape Master deals 2 damage to target creature. o Wo W, oc T: Target creature gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thornscape Master equips players with the ability to directly manipulate the board state in their favor. This allows them to effectively manage threats and leverage their position, potentially leading to a sizeable card advantage over their opponent throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a source of resource acceleration, utilizing Thornscape Master effectively can ensure your resources are used more efficiently. By removing key blockers or threats, you can maintain tempo and pressure, indirectly accelerating your board presence and resource allocation.

Instant Speed: The activated abilities of Thornscape Master can be used at instant speed, providing a strategic advantage by allowing the player to react to the opponent’s actions during their turn. This flexibility can be a game-changer, giving the controller the power to surprise opponents and alter the course of combat to their benefit.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Thornscape Master doesn’t compel a discard directly, it’s important to recognize that it commands ample resources in hand to exploit its activated abilities fully. Running low on cards could diminish its utility on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Thornscape Master includes both green and white mana, which necessitates a dual-color deck strategy, potentially complicating deck design for those preferring mono-color flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana of any kind plus one green and one white mana, the cost to deploy Thornscape Master is substantial. As players orchestrate their strategies, they may find that other creatures or spells with less stringent mana demands could offer a better return on investment, especially in the fast-paced early game.

Reasons to Include Thornscape Master in Your Collection

Versatility: Thornscape Master serves as a valuable addition to decks that capitalize on both creature control and direct damage. Its ability to remove creatures or deal damage to opponents makes it a flexible card suitable for a variety of situations.

Combo Potential: With its dual activated abilities, Thornscape Master can be a key component in combo decks. It offers synergy with cards that untap creatures or benefit from activated abilities being used multiple times in a turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where small creatures are prevalent, Thornscape Master can be incredibly potent. It acts as a deterrent against token strategies and can clear the way for your attacks by removing blockers or applying pressure on the opponent’s life total.

How to beat

Thornscape Master is a unique creature in Magic The Gathering, known for its ability to both deal damage and to destroy flying creatures. This dual functionality can pose a challenge, but it can be countered strategically. To effectively neutralize the threat of Thornscape Master, consider using spells that prevent it from activating its abilities. Silence effects or cards that specifically deny activated abilities, like Linvala, Keeper of Silence, can be particularly effective.

Alternatively, employing removal spells that bypass Thornscape Master’s activated protections, such as Wrath of God or Doom Blade, can serve as an efficient solution to clear the board. It’s also advantageous to play aggressively and remove Thornscape Master before your opponent has enough mana to utilize its abilities. This preemptive strike can often disrupt your opponent’s game plan and turn the tides in your favor.

In essence, the key is to prevent the abilities of Thornscape Master from impacting the game. By focusing on this approach, players can mitigate the influence of Thornscape Master and maintain control over the battlefield.

Cards like Thornscape Master

Exploring the diverse capabilities within the Magic: The Gathering universe, Thornscape Master invites comparisons to other standout figures. Set in the Invasion block, this creature resonates with strategies found in similar cards like Mirri, Weatherlight Duelist. Both share a knack for manipulating combat, yet Thornscape Master does so by tapping to disable or weaken foes, a flexibility absent in Mirri’s kit.

When seeking comparable abilities, one might consider Prodigal Pyromancer for its capacity to deliver consistent damage to creatures or players, reminiscent of Thornscape Master’s direct damage option. However, Thornscape Master boasts the added versatility of green’s creature enhancement, a feature that Prodigal Pyromancer lacks due to its singular focus on red abilities. Qasali Pridemage is another worth mentioning, with its built-in artifact and enchantment control, yet it doesn’t provide the repeatable control over combat that Thornscape Master offers.

Amidst the myriad of creature cards available in MTG, Thornscape Master holds its ground. Its dual-color identity and active abilities offer a unique blend that can both shape the battlefield and neutralize threats. Its stature is not only maintained by its multi-faceted options but also through the strategic depth it adds to the game.

Mirri, Weatherlight Duelist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thornscape Master by color, type and mana cost

Obuun, Mul Daya Ancestor - MTG Card versions

Atla Palani, Nest Tender - MTG Card versions

Marisi, Breaker of the Coil - MTG Card versions

Rin and Seri, Inseparable - MTG Card versions

Kitt Kanto, Mayhem Diva - MTG Card versions

Jetmir, Nexus of Revels - MTG Card versions

Mazzy, Truesword Paladin - MTG Card versions

Bright-Palm, Soul Awakener - MTG Card versions

Aragorn, Hornburg Hero - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thornscape Master MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Thornscape Master and other MTG cards: