Stromkirk Mentor MTG Card

Stromkirk Mentor - Shadows over Innistrad

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Vampire Soldier
Released	2016-04-08
Set symbol
Set name	Shadows over Innistrad
Set code	SOI
Power	4
Toughness	2
Number	137
Frame	2015
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Cynthia Sheppard

Key Takeaways

Stromkirk Mentor excels in vampire decks, enhancing creatures permanently with +1/+1 counters.
Despite not offering mana acceleration, it can hasten your victory by empowering key vampires.
Sorcery speed allows for strategic gameplay, optimizing the Mentor’s impact in vampire synergies.

Text of card

When Stromkirk Mentor enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on another target Vampire you control.

The lineage of Runo Stromkirk is known for producing some of Nephalia's greatest fencing masters.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stromkirk Mentor shines in strategies revolving around vampires, not only by beefing up a single creature but also offering the key benefit of a +1/+1 counter. This means it can lead to a permanent increase in your board’s power level, which can be crucial for maintaining an edge over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Stromkirk Mentor itself doesn’t provide traditional mana acceleration, it propels your vampire-themed deck forward by enabling your more menacing vampires to come online faster. The +1/+1 counter might be just what you need to turn the tide, effectively speeding up your victory clock.

Instant Speed: Although Stromkirk Mentor operates at sorcery speed, this timing allows you to plan your moves strategically. By understanding the pace of the game, you can determine the optimal moment to deploy this creature to maximize its impact, ensuring that the counter goes on the most advantageous vampire.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stromkirk Mentor’s strong ability comes with the downside of needing another vampire to sacrifice, potentially depleting your board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost demands two black mana, which can restrict its inclusion to decks with a heavy black mana curve or dedicated vampire synergies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For four mana, Stromkirk Mentor’s stats and impact on the game may be eclipsed by other four-drop creatures or spells that offer more immediate value or board control.

Reasons to Include Stromkirk Mentor in Your Collection

Versatility: Stromkirk Mentor offers a valuable addition to vampire-themed decks, bringing more than just a creature to the table. Its ability to give another target vampire you control a +1/+1 counter means it adapts well to various game scenarios, enhancing your offensive or defensive strategies as needed.

Combo Potential: With a built-in mechanic for boosting your vampires, Stromkirk Mentor can be a lynchpin in synergistic combos. It’s perfect for decks that capitalize on counter manipulation and creature buffs, interacting beautifully with cards that thrive on empowered allies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that has a strong presence of tribal decks, particularly vampires, Stromkirk Mentor’s ability to consistently empower your creatures each time it enters the battlefield can be significant, making it a card to consider for keeping your deck competitive and efficient.

How to beat

Stromkirk Mentor is known for its ability to empower other creatures when entering the battlefield. Stemming from the vampire-themed Innistrad set, this card provides a +1/+1 counter to a target vampire you control. The impact is immediate, making your army of night stalkers more formidable.

To effectively counter Stromkirk Mentor’s enhancement to vampire creatures, removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, are highly efficient before the counters can be distributed. It’s also beneficial to manage the battlefield by keeping the number of vampires in check, limiting the Mentor’s potential targets. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God, can reset the playing field and neutralize the advantage gained from Stromkirk Mentor’s entry. Additionally, utilizing cards that restrict creature abilities or prevent counters from being placed, like Solemnity, can disrupt this strategy further.

Ultimately, understanding and disrupting the synergy within vampire decks is crucial. Timely removal, strategic board control, and selective prevention can overcome the boosts provided by Stromkirk Mentor, ensuring that your opponent’s vampires don’t overwhelm you.

Understanding Stromkirk Mentor’s Role in Vampire Decks

Stromkirk Mentor has made its mark within the specific family of vampire cards in MTG. This creature is a mainstay in strategies that favor bolstering the power of fellow nocturnal beings. When you compare Stromkirk Mentor to other similar cards, you’ll find its utility in any deck with a vampire theme is particularly noteworthy.

Cards like Stromkirk Mentor

When looking at Stromkirk Mentor, it’s essential to put it side by side with others in its league. Bloodthirsty Aerialist shares a semblance of synergy in vampire-themed decks. Like Stromkirk Mentor, it benefits the player by enhancing creatures on the battlefield. While Aerialist grows itself over time through life gain, Stromkirk Mentor immediately boosts another vampire, offering a more immediate impact.

Another peer is Indulgent Aristocrat, which, upon sacrificing another creature, gives a power plus to each vampire you control. Although it affects the whole board, unlike Stromkirk Mentor, it requires an additional cost and pre-setup to trigger its effect.

For decks looking to empower their creatures, Stromkirk Mentor may well suit players who appreciate direct and instantaneous benefits, seamlessly integrating with the vampire theme and equipped to turn the tides with a well-timed play.

Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions

Indulgent Aristocrat - MTG Card versions

Bloodthirsty Aerialist - Core Set 2020 (M20)

Indulgent Aristocrat - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)

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

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Gixian Puppeteer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stromkirk Mentor MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Mentor and other MTG cards: