Canopy Spider MTG Card


Canopy Spider provides early defense against flyers, key for maintaining board control in MTG. The spider’s specific green mana cost can limit multicolor deck integration, but it excels in mono-green. Its low power can be a drawback, yet its cost-effectiveness and utility in air defense is valuable.
Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spider
Abilities Reach
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Canopy Spider can block creatures with flying.

"We know our place in the cycle of life—and it is not as flies." —Eladamri, Lord of Leaves


Cards like Canopy Spider

Canopy Spider is a green creature card that finds its strength in its reach ability, enabling it to block flying creatures effectively. This two-mana spider shares some characteristics with other cards like Deadly Recluse and Giant Spider. Deadly Recluse also offers the formidable combination of reach and deathtouch for just two mana. While it’s similar in mana cost and abilities, the deathtouch enables it to destory any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by, adding an extra layer of defense against formidable flyers. Giant Spider, on the other hand, requires four mana to play, which is double the cost of Canopy Spider, but comes with a bigger body.

Other cards in this space include Sporecap Spider, which like our Canopy Spider, is a reliable blocker against flying creatures with its reach ability. However, it also has a greater focus on synergizing with other Spiders, making it particularly effective in arachnid-themed decks. Finally, comparing these cards highlights Canopy Spider as a cost-effective early game option for any player looking to bolster their defenses in the air without compromising too much on ground support.

Spotting these minute yet crucial differences among similar cards can give players the edge they need during gameplay. In a game as strategic as MTG, understanding the nuanced roles of cards like Canopy Spider can significantly influence deck building strategies and combat decisions.

Deadly Recluse - MTG Card versions
Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Sporecap Spider - MTG Card versions
Deadly Recluse - MTG Card versions
Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Sporecap Spider - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Canopy Spider by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Canopy Spider offers a unique board presence by combining efficient defense with cost-effectiveness. This two-mana creature can deter early flying aggressors, thereby protecting your more valuable cards and helping you maintain board control.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly create mana, the low casting cost of the Canopy Spider allows for rapid deployment alongside other spells, effectively accelerating your resource deployment on the field.

Instant Speed: The spider can’t be cast at instant speed, but its reach ability can be a surprise element against unsuspecting airborne threats at any point in the combat phase, acting as a spontaneous roadblock and preserving your life total.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Canopy Spider does not directly require a discard, having to discard cards for other abilities within a green deck could hamper its synergy, especially since green decks typically rely on creature presence to overpower opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Canopy Spider demands a specific green mana in its casting cost, which could restrict deck-building options, particularly for those looking to integrate it into a multicolored deck without sufficient green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 1/3 creature, some players might find Canopy Spider less efficient compared to other two-mana creatures that may provide more significant offensive or defensive benefits.


Reasons to Include Canopy Spider in Your Collection

Versatility: Canopy Spider is a green creature card that finds its place in decks focusing on defense as well as those that emphasize the importance of reach. Its low casting cost makes it an accessible card for various stages of the game.

Combo Potential: This two-mana spider pairs well with cards that benefit from having creatures with reach, or with those that capitalize on the spider’s status as an early defender, creating space for more sophisticated plays later in the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta with heavy flying attackers, Canopy Spider provides an excellent defensive line at a low cost, blocking most early and mid-game airborne threats and protecting key life points as you develop your board presence.


How to Beat

The Canopy Spider card is a green creature known for its high functionality in MTG decks focused on early game defense. As a two-mana spider with reach, the Canopy Spider can deter flying creatures from attacking uncompromised, effectively serving as a low-cost shield in the initial rounds. While it boasts a strength in blocking airborne threats, its weakness stems from its mere one power which limits its offensive capabilities.

When facing the Canopy Spider, exploiting its offensive shortfall is key. Utilizing spells or abilities that necessitate high-power creatures or target specifically grounded creatures allows you to navigate around the spider’s reach attribute. Moreover, leveraging flying creatures with power greater than one or presenting multiple threats simultaneously can overwhelm the Canopy Spider’s single-blocking capacity.

To conclude, while the Canopy Spider presents a decent block against flying creatures early on, it struggles against robust flyers or a multitude of attackers. An understanding of its limitations enables players to craft a successful strategy to overcome this particular obstacle in MTG matches.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Canopy Spider MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Seventh Edition, 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 Canopy Spider and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Canopy Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 2171997NormalBlackChristopher Rush
22001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 234★1997NormalBlackMike Raabe
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 2341997NormalWhiteMike Raabe
42003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 236★2003NormalBlackChristopher Rush
52003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 2362003NormalWhiteChristopher Rush
62007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2542003NormalBlackChristopher Rush
72007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 254★2003NormalBlackChristopher Rush
82015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1662015NormalBlackChristopher Rush
92018-06-08BattlebondBBD 1912015NormalBlackChristopher Rush
102019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 3392015NormalBlackChristopher Rush
112019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11542015NormalBlackChristopher Rush
122020-09-26The ListPLST BBD-1912015NormalBlackChristopher Rush

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Canopy Spider has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-04-01 This card now uses the Reach keyword ability to enable the blocking of flying creatures. This works because a creature with flying can only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach.