Stratus Dancer MTG Card


Useful for card advantage, Stratus Dancer can disrupt opponent spells while posing as a creature. Its low initial cost aligns with mana curves, conserving resources for later game plays. Instant-speed morphing increases in-game adaptability, providing surprise factors and tactical depth.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Djinn Monk
Abilities Flying,Megamorph
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flying Megamorph (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.) When Stratus Dancer is turned face up, counter target instant or sorcery spell.


Cards like Stratus Dancer

Stratus Dancer is a unique card that brings versatility to Magic: The Gathering decks, especially in strategies that capitalize on creature abilities. Akin to other creature cards with morph abilities, Stratus Dancer can be played facedown and turned up at the right moment for tactical advantage. Cards like Den Protector share this trait, providing the ability to return a card from the graveyard to hand when flipped face up. While Den Protector excels in recovery, Stratus Dancer is crafted for surprise interactions, countering crucial spells when its morph cost is paid.

Another similar card is Silumgar Spell-Eater which, like Stratus Dancer, can negate an opponent’s spell when it’s turned face up. While the Spell-Eater also requires mana to reveal and trigger its ability, it differs in that it uses mana drain, potentially providing more flexibility in delaying an opponent’s strategy. In comparison, though, Stratus Dancer stands out with its flying trait, giving it additional battlefield utility as an aerial threat once revealed.

Considering the dynamic of morphing creatures, Stratus Dancer certainly finds its place, offering a strategic blend of offensive and disruptive capabilities. Its ability to catch an opponent off guard with a well-timed counter makes it a distinctive choice among its morphing counterparts in MTG.

Den Protector - MTG Card versions
Silumgar Spell-Eater - MTG Card versions
Den Protector - MTG Card versions
Silumgar Spell-Eater - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stratus Dancer by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stratus Dancer is a multifaceted card that not only serves as a creature but can also be morphed, revealing it for its megamorph cost to counter target instant or sorcery spell. This provides a distinct tactical edge allowing you to protect your board state while potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans.

Resource Acceleration: While Stratus Dancer itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost and morph ability can conserve resources. By playing it face down as a 2/2 for three mana, you align your mana curve efficiently, retaining other spells in hand for later turns.

Instant Speed: Stratus Dancer excels in flexibility due to its instant-speed morph ability. This allows you to adapt to the fluid dynamics of a game, engage in battles with tricks up your sleeve, and enhance the element of surprise. Waiting until just the right moment to reveal Stratus Dancer can swing the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Stratus Dancer’s megamorph ability requires you to flip the card face up for its effect, which can sometimes be a restrictive condition if you don’t have the right setup or timing to make the most of its ability.

Specific Mana Cost: The card requires both blue and colorless mana to cast, meaning it specifically fits into blue or multicolor decks, potentially excluding it from mono-colored strategies where its utility could be harnessed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the initial cost to cast the card is low, the megamorph cost to turn Stratus Dancer face up is three mana, which is quite steep for a counter ability. There are alternative cards that may offer similar effects without the need for a board presence.


Reasons to Include Stratus Dancer in Your Collection

Versatility: Stratus Dancer is an adaptable card that can seamlessly integrate into various blue-focused decks. Its creature type, a flying Djinn Monk, is useful for evasion strategies, and its morph ability allows for surprise tactics against opponents.

Combo Potential: This card can play a significant role in decks that capitalize on surprise and timing. It’s especially potent in ensuring your key spells resolve by countering unwelcome interruptions. When used correctly, Stratus Dancer can shift the tide of a game through strategic combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where instant and sorcery spells are prevalent, Stratus Dancer shines. Its ability to morph and counter noncreature spells gives it a significant edge in matches where predicting and responding to your opponent’s strategy is crucial for victory.


How to beat

Stratus Dancer is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering with a knack for disrupting opponents’ strategies. As a 2/1 flyer for two mana, it might appear unassuming, but its morph ability allows it to transform and counter target instant or sorcery spell when flipped. This can catch opponents off-guard, especially when they’re relying on a pivotal spell for their game plan.

To successfully navigate against Stratus Dancer, it’s essential to bait out the morph ability with a less critical spell, thus preserving your more valuable instants or sorceries for later. Additionally, board sweepers that don’t target, like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, can clear the Dancer without triggering its ability. One more strategy involves using spells that can’t be countered, ensuring your effects will resolve regardless of the Dancer’s presence. Remember, once Stratus Dancer has been turned face up, it loses its masking guise, making it a prime target for removal spells that can handle it without the fear of being countered.

In essence, respect the flexibility that Stratus Dancer offers but don’t let it dictate the pace of the game. With careful planning and strategic spell casting, this deceptive creature can be managed effectively, ensuring its dance across the skies is short-lived.


BurnMana Recommendations

Navigating the MTG battlefield with Stratus Dancer can be as intricate as it is thrilling. Its duality as a flying creature and a surprise counter can flip the flow of a match, making it a worthy addition to your deck. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses will help you wield its power effectively. Enhance your gameplay by mastering the subtleties of timing and resource management that come with cards like the Stratus Dancer. For more strategies and expert insights on utilizing this versatile card to its full potential, join the BurnMana community. We’re here to guide you through every twist and turn of your MTG journey.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stratus Dancer MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Dragons of Tarkir Promos, 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 Stratus Dancer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stratus Dancer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-08-23. Illustrated by Anastasia Ovchinnikova.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-03-27Dragons of TarkirDTK 802015NormalBlackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
22015-03-28Dragons of Tarkir PromosPDTK 80s2015NormalBlackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
32019-08-23Commander 2019C19 962015NormalBlackAnastasia Ovchinnikova

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stratus Dancer has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-02-25 If a face-down creature with megamorph is turned face up some other way (for example, if you manifest a card with megamorph and then pay its mana cost to turn it face up), you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it.
2015-02-25 Megamorph is a variant of the morph ability. You can find more information on morph on cards with morph from the Khans of Tarkir set.
2015-02-25 Turning a face-down creature with megamorph face up and putting a +1/+1 counter on it is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to.