Viashino Spearhunter MTG Card


Viashino Spearhunter - Magic 2010
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Viashino Warrior
Abilities First strike
Released2009-07-17
Set symbol
Set nameMagic 2010
Set codeM10
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number161
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byCarl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

  1. Early game board presence can be significantly enhanced with Viashino Spearhunter’s efficient deployment.
  2. While enhancing aggression, its discard requirement for optimization could steer some players away.
  3. Its first strike ability provides a tactical edge, especially in fast-paced combat scenarios.

Text of card

First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)

Viashino lack the majesty of their draconic ancestors, but they lash out with equal rage and twice the spite.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Viashino Spearhunter, you gain the upper hand as you deploy a potent creature early in the game, positioning yourself for beneficial trades or impactful attacks that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting your mana resources, Viashino Spearhunter’s low casting cost expedites your board presence, allowing you to allocate resources more effectively in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: While Viashino Spearhunter itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its aggressive posture can compel your adversary to play defensively, potentially keeping their instant-speed interactions at bay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Viashino Spearhunter requires a player to discard another card to unleash its full potential. During a game, preserving hand advantage is crucial, and being compelled to discard can put you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if it leaves you with fewer options to respond to an opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Viashino Spearhunter is specifically red, demanding a commitment to red mana sources. This requirement can restrict deck-building flexibility. Players who want to incorporate this card into their decks must ensure a sufficient number of red mana-producing lands or mana-fixing cards to reliably cast it on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including two red mana, the Viashino Spearhunter might seem costly for its power and toughness stats. In a game where tempo and board presence are fundamental, there might be alternatives that provide better value or more impactful board presence at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Viashino Spearhunter in Your Collection

Versatility: Viashino Spearhunter is adaptable to a variety of strategies, fitting well into decks that seek aggressive early gameplay. Its ability to quickly apply pressure on the opponent is an asset for red-based aggro decks.

Combo Potential: With its first strike ability, it can serve as a key piece in combat-focused synergies, effectively pairing with cards that capitalize on dealing combat damage or stacking damage triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where early board presence can decide the game, Viashino Spearhunter provides a significant advantage. Its relevance grows in metas where small, efficient creatures can turn the tide of battle quickly.


How to Beat Viashino Spearhunter

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Viashino Spearhunter enters the fray with a specific role on the battlefield. This card can be intimidating due to its first strike ability, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike. However, overcoming this feisty combatant can be simpler than it appears. Control decks that focus on removal spells can efficiently handle the Spearhunter before it poses a significant threat. A well-timed “Murder” or “Doom Blade” can dispatch it without fuss.

Players might also consider deploying creatures with higher toughness that survive the initial strike or those that have deathtouch to ensure a mutual takedown. Combat tricks that boost your creatures’ toughness or nerf the Spearhunter’s power are crucial during the attack phase. Moreover, engaging in combat with a creature that can regenerate or has indestructible attributes can prove to be an unassailable wall against the Spearhunter’s assault. In summary, although Viashino Spearhunter can be a hurdle, a strategy composed of precise removal, strategic creature play, and combat maneuvers can swiftly turn the tides against it.


Cards like Viashino Spearhunter

The Viashino Spearhunter joins the ranks of combat-focused creatures within Magic: The Gathering, bringing its distinct brand of battlefield prowess. It draws a comparison to cards like Borderland Marauder, an aggressive card that similarly gains a power boost during combat. However, Viashino Spearhunter boasts the advantage of first strike, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without this capability. The first strike attribute not only offers strategic defensive plays but also asserts a more dominant offensive stance during fights.

In its category, we find the Goblin Piker, another two-cost creature that provides straightforward aggression with no additional combat abilities. The Viashino Spearhunter clearly outmatches it by offering first strike, making it a superior choice in terms of board control and combat interactions. Another close relative in terms of aggression and cost is the Goblin Shortcutter which, instead of increased combat prowess, focuses on impacting the battlefield by preventing a creature from blocking.

All things considered, Viashino Spearhunter presents a balanced option for players looking for an affordable creature card that can stand its ground and apply pressure effectively. Its first strike ability sets it apart in the battlefield, especially in the early to mid-game where direct combat is frequent and pivotal.

Borderland Marauder - MTG Card versions
Goblin Piker - MTG Card versions
Goblin Shortcutter - MTG Card versions
Borderland Marauder - Magic 2015 (M15)
Goblin Piker - Portal Second Age (P02)
Goblin Shortcutter - Zendikar (ZEN)

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Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viashino Spearhunter MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010, 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 Viashino Spearhunter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Viashino Spearhunter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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