Glacial Wall MTG Card


Glacial Wall excels as a durable barrier, warding off multiple threats over several turns. Its specific mana requirement may limit deck versatility but ensures a strong defensive presence. Strategically, the card fits well into control decks and those utilizing defender synergies.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Wall
Abilities Defender
Power 0
Toughness 7

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.)

"We are farther west than any could have imagined possible, but I still wish to press on. Unfortunately, huge walls of ice block further travel. We can't believe they are natural." —Disa the Restless, journal entry


Cards like Glacial Wall

Glacial Wall presents a strong defensive option for blue decks in Magic: The Gathering. Standing firm with a toughness of 7, this wall is akin to other defensive creatures such as Wall of Frost, which also boasts considerable toughness. However, Glacial Wall is set apart by its absence of any additional abilities, focusing purely on its status as a resilient blocker for only three mana.

Against similar cards such as Guard Gomazoa, Glacial Wall holds its ground—in terms of mana cost and toughness. Guard Gomazoa guarantees prevention of all combat damage that would be dealt to it, offering a similar protective utility. However, it comes with a smaller body and at the same mana cost. Another relative in the sphere of MTG walls is the Wall of Stone, which brings an impressive toughness of 8 to the game, one notch above Glacial Wall, yet its higher casting cost can be a decisive factor in the early game.

When evaluating the benefits of stalwart defenders, Glacial Wall stands out for its efficient cost-to-toughness ratio, making it an unassuming yet robust choice for players seeking a solid early to mid-game defensive barrier.

Wall of Frost - MTG Card versions
Guard Gomazoa - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Frost - MTG Card versions
Guard Gomazoa - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Glacial Wall by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cloud Elemental - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cloud Elemental - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Glacial Wall, a versatile defender, can deter multiple attackers over several turns. This enduring presence preserves your hand by reducing the need to play other creatures for defense.

Resource Acceleration: While Glacial Wall itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost helps conserve mana for other strategic plays, effectively smoothing out your mana curve.

Instant Speed: Although Glacial Wall is not cast at instant speed, it grants sustained board influence, allowing you to confidently pass the turn without having to cast spells to deter attackers, similar to holding up mana for instant speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Glacial Wall card does not have a discard requirement, thus this characteristic is not applicable to its evaluation. It’s important to focus on relevant cons that do affect gameplay when considering this card.

Specific Mana Cost: Glacial Wall demands a specific mana investment of two blue mana plus one of any color. This can restrict deck-building options as it requires a commitment to blue mana sources, leaving less room for flexibility compared to colorless or single mana cost cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Glacial Wall offers a defender without any additional abilities. When assessing its cost-effectiveness, players might find that other cards provide more versatile defensive options or additional abilities that better justify the mana investment.


Reasons to Include Glacial Wall in Your Collection

Versatility: Glacial Wall serves as a robust defensive option in decks looking to protect valuable planeswalkers or life totals. It’s an efficient blocker that can dissuade opponents from attacking, thanks to its formidable toughness.

Combo Potential: In any deck that capitalizes on defender synergy or strategies that count the number of creatures with high toughness, Glacial Wall can be a key piece, contributing to reach a critical mass for cards like High Alert or Assault Formation.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive landscape, including cards that can stall aggressive decks is crucial. Glacial Wall offers a low-cost solution that fits well into control or ‘walls matter’ strategies, which could gain traction depending on the prevalence of aggressive creature strategies in the meta.


How to beat

Glacial Wall presents a formidable barrier on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its solid defense and the ability to block flying creatures, it can often seem like a tall order to overcome. Despite its resilience, there are tactics to navigate around this icy obstacle. First, one can use removal spells that specifically dismantle defenders without targeting their toughness, such as Seismic Strike or Chandra’s Outrage. Additionally, spells like Pacifism and Claustrophobia can neutralize the wall’s blocking capability without having to destroy it.

Besides direct removal, evasion strategies also work well. Granting your creatures abilities such as trample or using ones that can’t be blocked by walls ensure that your attacks can still make an impact. Finally, using cards that change creature types or remove abilities temporarily can turn Glacial Wall into a non-issue. By implementing these strategies, you can effectively clear the path and maintain the momentum of your game against an opponent who relies on such defensive structures.


BurnMana Recommendations

Glacial Wall is a steadfast defender in MTG, ideal for blunting enemy offenses and preserving your more valuable assets. It’s an excellent consideration for any blue-based control deck or one that thrives on high-toughness creatures. While it does require a specific mana alignment, the advantage it provides on the battlefield can often outweigh the deck building constraints. Remember, strategies are not just built on brute force, but also on holding the line where necessary. We recommended adding Glacial Wall to your collection for that very purpose. Learn more about weaving the perfect defensive strategy with us and ensure your MTG arsenal is as strong as ice.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Glacial Wall MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth 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 Glacial Wall 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 Glacial Wall Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11995-06-03Ice AgeICE 711993NormalBlackDameon Willich
21997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 911997NormalWhiteGreg Simanson
31999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 721997NormalWhiteDameon Willich
42001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 781997NormalWhiteHeather Hudson
52001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 78★1997NormalBlackHeather Hudson
62016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 532015NormalBlackCraig Mullins

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Glacial Wall has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal