Affectionate Indrik MTG Card
2018-10-05 - Number 121
2019-11-07 - Number 1112
2020-07-17 - Number 373
2020-08-13 - Number 89
2024-02-23 - Number 155
2020-09-26 - Number GRN-121
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | Fight |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Affectionate Indrik enters the battlefield, you may have it fight target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
The problem isn't the indrik's enthusiasm, it's Ravnica's lack of guardrails.
Cards like Affectionate Indrik
Affectionate Indrik may remind seasoned MTG players of other non-flying creature removal options. Like the card Hunt the Weak, Affectionate Indrik offers the ability to dispose of pesky creatures on the board. While Hunt the Weak brings a permanent +1/+1 counter to the creature it enhances, Affectionate Indrik stands out by not requiring any additional mana to perform its fight ability upon entering the battlefield.
Comparatively, Prey Upon is another spell reminiscent of Affectionate Indrik’s removal effect, allowing a creature to fight another. It costs significantly less mana but lacks the advantage of introducing a substantial body to the board—a feature where Affectionate Indrik excels. The card Fierce Witchstalker also presents a parallel with its creature-based removal and trample ability, although it trades the immediate fight mechanic for creating Food tokens that can be a source of life gain or mana.
Examining the varied mechanics of these creature interactions highlights the unique blend of presence and power Affectionate Indrik contributes to MTG decks, making it an appealing choice for players valuing on-the-spot removal coupled with a robust creature.
Cards similar to Affectionate Indrik by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Affectionate Indrik provides potential for advantageous board presence by enabling you to remove an opponent’s creature when it enters the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration, the Affectionate Indrik helps preserve your other resources by potentially dealing with threats without having to use additional cards from your hand.
Instant Speed: While the Indrik itself does not operate at instant speed, its fight mechanic can be synergized with instant-speed spells or effects that allow you to surprise your opponent and take out key creatures on their turn or in response to an action.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Affectionate Indrik does not have a discard requirement itself, deck strategies including this card could be weakened if they rely on other cards with discard mechanics to clear the path for its potent battlefield entrance. Balancing resources becomes pivotal.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires a specific mix of one green mana alongside five of any other color. This can be restrictive as it demands a solid green mana base, limiting the inclusion to mainly green or green hybrid decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Affectionate Indrik comes with a six mana cost, which can be steep considering other creatures and spells in the same range could offer lower costs or additional abilities. Strategizing its playtime is crucial to get the best value from its fight mechanic.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Affectionate Indrik brings a unique blend of creature removal and board presence, making it a flexible option in green creature-based decks. Its ability to fight upon entering the battlefield allows for removal of key threats while developing your side of the board.
Combo Potential: The Indrik’s fight mechanic seamlessly integrates into decks that capitalize on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield. It can be combined with effects that trigger on creature deaths or with persist and undying mechanics for additional value.
Meta-Relevance: In a creature-heavy meta, Affectionate Indrik shines by providing an answer to opposing threats while contributing to your own creature count, making it a relevant choice for those looking to disrupt opponent strategies and maintain board control.
How to beat
The Affectionate Indrik brings its unique brand of board impact to the MTG arena. A sizable creature that comes packed with the ability to fight another creature upon entering the battlefield, it’s part removal, part threat. To circumvent the Indrik’s entrance effect, savvy players might consider retaining their removal spells. By eliminating the Indrik before it resolves the fight effect, you ensure the safety of your creatures.
Alternatively, controlling the board with low-value targets can nullify the Indrik’s entrance. If your opponent is forced to fight a less crucial creature, the Indrik loses much of its value. Additionally, stronger creatures can withstand the fight, so playing creatures with toughness higher than the Indrik’s power will turn the tables on this encounter.
Protection spells or abilities can also be a key tactic, as they can prevent your important creatures from being targeted or allow them to survive the fight. In tandem with these strategies, understanding the pivotal moment to play or hold back your valued creatures will keep you one step ahead of the Affectionate Indrik’s affectionate embrace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Affectionate Indrik MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Mystery Booster, 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 Affectionate Indrik and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Affectionate Indrik Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1112 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 373 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 4 | 2020-08-13 | Arena Beginner Set | ANB | 89 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | GRN-121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | ||
| 6 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 155 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Affectionate Indrik has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Affectionate Indrik card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-10-05 | If the target creature is an illegal target when Affectionate Indrik’s ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn’t resolve. If Affectionate Indrik is no longer on the battlefield, the target creature won’t deal or be dealt damage. |
| 2018-10-05 | You choose the target of the triggered ability as it goes on the stack, but you choose whether the creatures fight as that ability resolves. |