Carrion Locust MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect Horror |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2022-11-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Brothers' War |
| Set code | BRO |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 87 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nino Is |
Text of card
Flying When Carrion Locust enters the battlefield, exile target card from an opponent's graveyard. If it was a creature card, that player loses 1 life.
No honor. No glory. No leftovers.
Cards like Carrion Locust
Carrion Locust steps into the field of flying creatures in MTG with an intriguing set of abilities. Within its winged counterparts, it draws parallels to cards like Murderous Redcap. Both offer a removal component upon entering the battlefield, but Carrion Locust is distinct with its flying advantage which allows for better board control from the air.
Another creature that shares its predatory nature is Flesh-Eater Imp. This card also employs a sacrifice mechanic to bolster its power, similar to Carrion Locust’s method of potentially growing stronger through the demise of other creatures. However, Flesh-Eater Imp sacrifices its own kind to increase its might, whereas Carrion Locust feasts on the opponent’s creatures, offering a subtle yet impactful difference in playstyle.
Lastly, we have Hypnotic Specter, another flyer that harasses opponents by forcing card discard. While not directly removing creatures like Carrion Locust, the Specter’s ability to disrupt the opponent’s hand can be equally devastating. Comparatively, Carrion Locust’s creature-targeted ability may be seen as a more direct and immediate way to impact the board state.
Accounting for these various features, Carrion Locust finds its niche in MTG as a versatile, flying creature that can shift the momentum of the game by preying on other creatures to control the skies and the tempo of the match.
Cards similar to Carrion Locust by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Carrion Locust enables strategic graveyard control by allowing the player to remove key creatures from the game, potentially hindering an opponent’s strategy and gaining an edge in card utility.
Resource Acceleration: By harnessing the death of creatures, Carrion Locust can be a catalyst for growth on the battlefield, providing a tempo swing in your favor as you exploit its abilities to build a commanding presence.
Instant Speed: With the ability to activate at instant speed, Carrion Locust gives players the flexibility to react to threats or optimize their own plays during critical moments of the game, thereby maintaining pressure or disrupting opponent’s tactics.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of Carrion Locust is its reliance on discarding another card to activate its key abilities. This can put players at a disadvantage, particularly if their hand is already depleted, forcing them to give up valuable resources or potential plays just to leverage the power of Carrion Locust.
Specific Mana Cost: The Locust comes with a mana cost that requires black mana, which can restrict its inclusion to only those decks that run black or have the means to produce black mana reliably. This can limit its versatility and implications in multi-colored decks that might not focus on black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, the mana investment for Carrion Locust is significant. In a game where tempo and efficiency are critical, the mana spent on summoning Carrion Locust could potentially be used for other spells or creatures that provide immediate impact or better value for the mana expended.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Carrion Locust offers adaptability to various deck builds with its ability to manage the battlefield by thriving on creature removal. This versatility ensures it can play a role in an array of strategies that require a strong board presence.
Combo Potential: The card’s synergy with graveyard manipulation tactics makes it a potent choice for combos. It’s particularly effective in decks that cycle or sacrifice creatures for greater benefits, enhancing strategies centered around death triggers.
Meta-Relevance: With decks that frequently capitalize on creature-based strategies, Carrion Locust’s interaction with death and the graveyard keeps it relevant. The climate of the current play environment often sees this card disrupt opponents’ strategies while bolstering your own.
How to beat
Carrion Locust presents a unique challenge to players in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to disrupt strategies by forcing sacrifice upon creature entering the battlefield. This insect horror is efficient in its role, but it certainly isn’t unbeatable. To navigate around Carrion Locust’s intimidating presence, consider employing instant-speed removal spells. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can eliminate the threat before it triggers its disruptive ability, ensuring your creatures land safely.
Additionally, leveraging counterspells such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto can be pivotal. These prevent Carrion Locust from ever asserting dominance on the board. In the realm of combat, employing flyers or creatures with trample can circumvent the need to sacrifice your creatures at all. Remember, creatures like Carrion Locust thrive on control; denying it the chance to exert this control is key. Lastly, decks that operate on non-creature spells or utilize graveyard synergy can minimize the impact of Carrion Locust’s ability, marginalizing its effectiveness and keeping your strategy intact.
Strategically sideboarding cards that address this specific threat can dramatically increase your chances of victory when facing an opponent reliant on Carrion Locust. Always assess the match-up and adapt accordingly to maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Carrion Locust MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Carrion Locust and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Carrion Locust has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |