Aquastrand Spider MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spider Mutant
Abilities Graft
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Graft ability offers growth options and board presence, setting the stage for potent creature synergies.
  2. Instant speed interaction with Aquastrand Spider disrupts opponents and provides combat flexibility.
  3. Despite mana costs, its versatility in counter-focused strategies makes it a competitive choice.

Text of card

Graft 2 (This creature comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature comes into play, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) : Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it can block as though it had flying this turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Aquastrand Spider provides a versatile ability in graft, which allows it to potentially spread +1/+1 counters across multiple creatures on the battlefield. This can lead to improved board presence and open up opportunities for stronger synergies with cards that benefit from counters.

Resource Acceleration: As an efficiently costed green creature, Aquastrand Spider fits naturally into decks that capitalize on growth mechanics. It can rapidly accelerate the value you get from your creatures by enhancing their power and toughness, nudging you ahead in the resource game.

Instant Speed: The ability to use its graft at instant speed grants you flexibility during combat or in response to spells and abilities, timing your growth for maximum impact. This instant speed interaction keeps opponents guessing and can disrupt their strategies effectively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Aquastrand Spider does not have a discard requirement, which is beneficial for preserving cards in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Aquastrand Spider requires one green mana alongside general mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to green-centric or multicolor decks that can accommodate green mana in their strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana might be seen as hefty for a creature with base stats of 0/0. Because it relies on graft to become effective, it competes with other two-drop creatures that offer immediate board presence or advantages without needing additional setup.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Aquastrand Spider offers flexibility to a variety of deck builds. Its graft ability can transfer +1/+1 counters, enhancing other creatures and engaging synergistically with strategies revolving around counter manipulation.

Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for synergies with cards that grow stronger with +1/+1 counters, such as bolstering creatures used in Simic decks that focus on increasing creature stats and abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures matter and counter strategies prevail, Aquastrand Spider’s ability to both support and benefit from these tactics makes it a smart inclusion in competitive play.


How to beat

Aquastrand Spider can be a tricky adversary within the Magic: The Gathering landscape, especially when it’s bolstering other creatures with its graft ability. Understanding its capabilities is the key to effectively countering it. The most direct approach in overpowering this creature involves removal spells that can bypass the counters it seeks to distribute. One could consider spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile to efficiently dispatch the Spider before its influence grows on the battlefield.

Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation have the potency to clear the Spider along with any beneficiaries of its +1/+1 counters, neutralizing threats en masse. For those who favor a less disruptive strategy, countering the creature with spells like Mana Leak or Negate as it’s cast can ensure it never becomes a factor in the match. Lastly, direct damage spells or powerful flying creatures can outmatch the Aquastrand Spider, impeding its ability to fortify your opponent’s board position. Implementing these strategies effectively requires both timing and resource management but can assure victory against decks leveraging this multifaceted creature.


Cards like Aquastrand Spider

Aquastrand Spider is an intriguing creature card that finds its place in the rich tapestry of Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels with other creature cards such as Ivy Elemental, whereby its power is also scalable based on the mana invested into it. Yet, Aquastrand Spider carves out its unique niche with the inclusion of the graft ability, allowing it to distribute +1/+1 counters to other creatures that enter the battlefield.

A similar card worth mentioning is Plaxcaster Frogling, which also boasts the graft ability. Though both cards share this trait, Plaxcaster Frogling commands a higher mana cost but compensates with the additional ability to protect creatures with +1/+1 counters from being the targets of spells or abilities. On the other hand, Aquastrand Spider is more affordable and provides a straightforward approach to enhancing your creature’s strength right out of the gate.

Evaluating these cards and their unique effects within the MTG universe, Aquastrand Spider remains a commendable option for players aiming to enhance creature interactions and board presence through the strategic placement and movement of +1/+1 counters.

Ivy Elemental - MTG Card versions
Plaxcaster Frogling - MTG Card versions
Ivy Elemental - Odyssey (ODY)
Plaxcaster Frogling - Dissension (DIS)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Aquastrand Spider MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Commander 2011, 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 Aquastrand Spider and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Aquastrand Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by Dany Orizio.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-05-05DissensionDIS 802003normalblackDany Orizio
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1412003normalblackDany Orizio
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1402015normalblackDany Orizio

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Aquastrand Spider has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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