Argentum Masticore MTG Card
2023-02-03 - Number 393
2023-02-03 - Number 222s
2023-02-03 - Number 222
2023-02-03 - Number 222p
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Masticore |
| Abilities | First strike,Protection |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
First strike, protection from multicolored At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Argentum Masticore unless you discard a card. When you discard a card this way, destroy target nonland permanent an opponent controls with mana value less than or equal to the mana value of the discarded card.
Cards like Argentum Masticore
The Argentum Masticore is an intriguing presence in the artifact creature lineup of Magic: The Gathering. It shares several aspects with other Masticore variants, such as Molten-Tail Masticore, which also features the ability to deal damage. However, Argentum Masticore has its own unique twist as it requires you to discard your hand at the beginning of your upkeep. Molten-Tail Masticore, by comparison, only asks for a single card discard.
Furthermore, Razormane Masticore is another relative. Like Argentum Masticore, it deals with card discard, but instead of clearing your hand, you only discard at the draw step. The Razormane variant trades some of the unpredictability of having no cards in hand for a steady, but less demanding discard process. It’s also worth noting that while both can deal damage, Razormane Masticore offers lifelink—a significant advantage in terms of survivability.
When considering the balance between power, utility, and the cost of maintaining a formidable artifact creature on the field, Argentum Masticore provides an interesting option for players seeking a high-risk, high-reward strategy within their MTG artifact decks.
Cards similar to Argentum Masticore by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Argentum Masticore. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prison Shops | Vintage | Prison Shops | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-03-03 |
 | Grixis Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage Preliminary 2024-02-23 |
| Other Shops | Vintage | Other Shops | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-01-27 |
 | Azorius Control | Standard | Azorius Artifacts | Supported by Rebound standard Supported by Rakuten Books |
| Dimir Combo | Vintage | Blue Tinker | 2023 NA Vintage Champs |
 | Boros Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| Grixis Shops | Vintage | Blue Tinker | 2023 Asia Vintage Championship |
| Mono-Blue Shops | Vintage | Paradoxical Outcome | 2023 Asia Vintage Championship |
| Grixis Combo | Vintage | Blue Tinker | 2023 Asia Vintage Championship |
| Esper Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage Challenge 32 2023-11-11 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Argentum Masticore brings a unique dynamic to handling your hand. With its ability to discard a card and then draw a card, this creature sets you up for consistent cycling, ensuring that your hand remains flush with options. This one-for-one exchange can be pivotal in gaining the upper hand in longer duels.
Resource Acceleration: A potent factor of the Argentum Masticore is its role in sparking your mana resources. While it doesn’t directly produce mana, its discard mechanic can be cleverly manipulated. By discarding a high-mana-cost card, you are essentially nurturing your graveyard for potential reanimation strategies or delve abilities, which could accelerate your resource access in future turns.
Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed is not a characteristic of the Argentum Masticore itself. However, its discard and draw ability aids in ensuring that you have instant speed answers ready when you need them. This keeps you primed for reactive plays, all the while tailoring your hand for optimal performance at every stage of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To utilize Argentum Masticore’s abilities, players must discard a card every turn. This can quickly deplete a hand, leaving players with fewer options and potentially jeopardizing their game strategy, especially if their deck isn’t optimized for card draw.
Specific Mana Cost: Being an artifact creature, Argentum Masticore demands a precise blend of colorless mana, which might not seamlessly integrate into all deck types. Players must carefully consider their mana base to ensure they can meet its cost without disrupting their curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though the Masticore offers a robust body and potential for repeated damage, its four mana cost is substantial. In a meta where efficiency is key, there might be alternative creatures or spells that provide similar or better value without the significant mana investment and card loss.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Argentum Masticore offers a unique flexibility to any artifact-centric deck. Its ability to deal damage and serve as both a creature and a removal tool can adapt to a variety of game states, making it a formidable addition to any build.
Combo Potential: This card’s power to discard and draw a card each turn primes it for combo strategies. It aligns seamlessly with decks that capitalize on cycling cards quickly through the deck, potentially unlocking powerful synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where consistency is key, Argentum Masticore maintains its relevance. Its ability to stand tall against a range of threats and strategies means it can flexibly adjust to the evolving deck archetypes of the game.
How to beat
Argentum Masticore presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. To effectively combat this artifact creature, a well-thought-out strategy is imperative. Playing against Argentum Masticore necessitates a focus on removal options that don’t rely on targeting. Since it has protection from monocolored, utilizing colorless removal spells or board wipes can be a game-changer. Cards like All Is Dust or Universal Solvent become crucial when facing off against such a resilient adversary.
Moreover, exploiting moments when the opponent is unable to fulfill Argentum Masticore’s upkeep cost can also be a pathway to victory. Applying pressure to deplete their hand or using discard effects to ensure they lack a card to discard at their upkeep can negate the Masticore’s intimidating presence. Another angle is to use cards that change the creature’s color attributes or strip away its abilities, thus making it vulnerable to your monocolored spells.
Ultimately, overcoming Argentum Masticore is about staying adaptive and resourceful. Whether it’s leveraging the utility of colorless spells or tactically dismantling your opponent’s ability to support their creature, defeating Argentum Masticore requires deliberate planning and a diverse arsenal of tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Argentum Masticore MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One 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 Argentum Masticore 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
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Printings
The Argentum Masticore Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Zack Stella.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One | ONE | 393 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 2 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Promos | PONE | 222s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 3 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One | ONE | 222 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella | |
| 4 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Promos | PONE | 222p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zack Stella |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Argentum Masticore has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Argentum Masticore card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-04 | Notably, this means that you may discard a card to keep Argentum Masticore on the battlefield even if there isn't a legal target for that second triggered ability. In that case, no players may respond to the second triggered ability and it does not resolve. |
| 2023-02-04 | You don't choose a target for Argentum Masticore's upkeep triggered ability at the time it triggers. Rather, a second "reflexive" ability triggers when you discard a card this way. You choose a target for that ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal. |