Stromkirk Condemned MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vampire Horror
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables graveyard synergies and madness, turning discards into strategic advantages for the player.
  2. Instant speed ability of Stromkirk Condemned provides combat surprises and flexible responses.
  3. Demanding specific mana can limit deck diversity, yet its vampire boosting power justifies inclusion.

Text of card

Discard a card: Vampires you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.

"Blood from the vein is the finest vintage to accompany a feast of the mind." —Runo Stromkirk


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stromkirk Condemned offers an advantage to the player by enabling discard strategies, which can synergize with graveyard mechanics or madness abilities, potentially turning a discard into a beneficial move rather than a loss of resources.

Resource Acceleration: As a vampire ally, this card can quickly escalate the board state by boosting other vampires you control. This acceleration of power can often lead to an overwhelming advantage over the opponent, especially in vampire-themed decks.

Instant Speed: While Stromkirk Condemned itself is not an instant, it has an activated ability that can be used at instant speed. This offers flexibility, allowing you to surprise your opponent by increasing your vampires’ power during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The strength of Stromkirk Condemned is contingent upon discarding another card, which can backfire when your hand is nearly empty. This constraint poses a challenge in maintaining card advantage, especially in longer, drawn-out games where each card in hand is vital.

Specific Mana Cost: Stromkirk Condemned requires black mana specifically, which can restrict deck-building options. Players wanting to include this card in their decks have to tailor their mana base accordingly, potentially compromising the deck’s flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two black mana, Stromkirk Condemned could be considered costly for its stats and abilities. This cost makes it less appealing compared to other creatures in the two-mana slot that might offer immediate impact without additional costs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Stromkirk Condemned serves as a robust inclusion in decks that capitalize on vampire synergies or those employing a discard strategy. Its ability to bolster other vampires while being a respectable two-drop makes it a flexible choice for varied playstyles.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, especially when paired with madness cards, allowing for an efficient way to discard for value while empowering your board. Its synergy with other vampires can lead to formidable early-game pressure and snowballing advantages.

Meta-Relevance: Within an environment that favors aggressive or vampire-themed decks, Stromkirk Condemned holds its ground as a pivotal enabler. Its capacity to enhance an entire team of vampires can turn the tide in matchups, especially when fast tempo plays are key to outpacing opponents.


How to beat

Stromkirk Condemned is a solid inclusion in vampire-themed decks in the world of Magic: The Gathering. This menacing vampire shines in decks designed for aggressive, rapid strikes. Its ability to boost the power of other vampires makes it tricky to handle on the battlefield. However, this same strength can be turned into a vulnerability. The key to beating Stromkirk Condemned lies in outpacing the card’s buffs or rendering them ineffective.

One strategy involves removing Stromkirk Condemned before it can activate its ability. Targeted removal spells are highly effective in this case. Board wipes also prove useful, clearing all creatures and resetting the playing field. Additionally, utilize creature-enchantment spells to neutralize the buffs Stromkirk Condemned offers without needing to remove it entirely. Mitigating its impact can often lead to controlling the tempo of the game and eventually overpowering the vampire-centric opponent.

In essence, overcoming Stromkirk Condemned requires a mix of timing and tactical removal. By focusing on these methods, players can dismantle an opponent’s strategy centered around this powerful vampire ally and pave the way to victory.


Cards like Stromkirk Condemned

Stromkirk Condemned is a key piece in MTG decks that focus on vampire synergy and aggressive strategies. This card is often weighed against other vampire buffs like Drana, Liberator of Malakir. While Drana offers a way to permanently strengthen your creatures with +1/+1 counters, Stromkirk Condemned has a different approach, demanding a card discard to temporarily boost your battalion of vampires for that critical turn.

Another card that comes to mind is Legion Lieutenant, which provides a consistent +1/+1 to vampire creatures without any additional cost or condition. The trade-off here is in the immediate impact versus the ongoing benefit. It’s a strategic choice between the immediate, potentially game-ending boost of Stromkirk Condemned and the steady power increase from Legion Lieutenant.

Contemplating the competitive play landscape, Stromkirk Condemned can be a game changer by allowing for a sudden surge in attack power, which can catch opponents off guard. When benchmarking its ability to enhance and accelerate vampire-themed attacks, it stands out for its potential to turn the tide of a game in a single, well-timed turn.

Drana, Liberator of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Legion Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Drana, Liberator of Malakir - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
Legion Lieutenant - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)

Cards similar to Stromkirk Condemned by color, type and mana cost

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Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stromkirk Condemned MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Eldritch Moon Promos, 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 Condemned and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stromkirk Condemned Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 1062015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
22016-07-22Eldritch Moon PromosPEMN 106s2015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
32021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1372015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
42023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 1342015normalblackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stromkirk Condemned has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stromkirk Condemned card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2016-07-13 If you discard a Vampire card with madness and cast it, it'll enter the battlefield before Stromkirk Condemned's ability resolves.
2016-07-13 The set of creatures affected by Stromkirk Condemned's ability is determined as the ability resolves. Vampires you begin to control later in the turn won't get +1/+1.

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