Chainwhip Cyclops MTG Card
2019-05-03 - Number 118
2024-02-23 - Number 127
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cyclops Warrior |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
: Target creature can't block this turn.
"You say this Tenth District, not Rubblebelt. But where smash happen, that Rubblebelt. Rubblebelt state of mind." —Urgdar, cyclops philosopher
Cards like Chainwhip Cyclops
Chainwhip Cyclops occupies a unique spot in the roster of creatures in the red spectrum of Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparison with cards like Rubblebelt Recluse. Both are formidable creatures, but Chainwhip Cyclops has the tactical ability to make a creature unable to block, adding a layer of strategy. Rubblebelt Recluse, boasts higher power, but lacks such tactical control.
When we consider Ember Beast, another creature that threatens with its size for a smaller mana investment, it comes with the restriction of needing another creature to attack. Chainwhip Cyclops, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in combat. They each have their merits, but Chainwhip Cyclops emerges as a versatile option in controlling opponents’ creatures.
Evaluating the landscape of similar creatures, it’s evident that Chainwhip Cyclops brings a blend of muscle and board influencing capabilities. While there may be stronger stand-alone creatures, its ability to directly affect combat dynamics is an advantage that could turn the tides of a MTG duel.
Cards similar to Chainwhip Cyclops by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Chainwhip Cyclops doesn’t inherently offer card draw, but it can be critical in breaking stalemates. Its formidable presence on the board could force your opponent to expend more resources to handle it, indirectly contributing to your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Chainwhip Cyclops doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it’s a cost-effective creature for its size. This allows you to allocate mana to other spells sooner, keeping the pressure on while developing your board.
Instant Speed: Chainwhip Cyclops’ activated ability can be used at instant speed, which gives you the flexibility to decide the outcome of blockers during your opponent’s turn. This level of unpredictability can be a strategic asset, potentially turning the tide in your favor during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Chainwhip Cyclops demands a player to discard a card as part of its activation cost. This can be particularly detrimental when your hand is already depleted, forcing you to make tough decisions on which vital resources to give up.
Specific Mana Cost: The Cyclops comes with a casting cost that requires red mana. This can be restrictive as it necessitates a specific mana base, potentially limiting its inclusion to red-centered or compatible multicolored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that sits on the higher end of the scale, Chainwhip Cyclops demands a significant investment for its abilities. This can be less efficient compared to other creatures in the same cost range that might offer additional abilities or higher power/toughness ratios.
Reasons to Include Chainwhip Cyclops in Your Collection
Versatility: The Chainwhip Cyclops offers a flexible role in various Red-based decks, particularly in formats like Commander where its ability to force an opponent’s creatures to block can be tactically advantageous in multiplayer games.
Combo Potential: Its ability to control combat can be coupled with cards that dish out damage to blocked or blocking creatures, forming a potent combination that can clear opponents’ boards or at least disable their most threatening blockers.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with creature-based strategies, having a card like Chainwhip Cyclops can shift the tides of battle to your favor, making it a relevant inclusion in a well-rounded collection. As the battlefield gets crowded, the cyclops’ ability to manipulate blocks becomes increasingly valuable.
How to beat
Chainwhip Cyclops holds a unique spot among red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to make a creature unable to block can turn the tides of battle. When strategizing against it, key removal spells like Murder or Pacifism can neutralize this threat effectively, ensuring your defenses remain intact. It’s also advisable to keep in mind the strategic timing of such removal, optimally when your opponent is committing to their attack for expanded impact.
Comparatively, the Cyclops is susceptible to bounce spells such as Unsummon, which provides a cost-effective solution to disrupt an opponent’s aggressive game plan. It’s important, however, to weigh the cost-to-benefit ratio of these interactions, as Chainwhip Cyclops’s activated ability requires a fair amount of mana, making it a relatively slower play. By employing efficient creatures, instants, and control elements, players can maintain the upper hand against this formidable force.
In essence, the Chainwhip Cyclops necessitates consideration of not just immediate removal, but also the broader tactical response. Its presence in the game encourages prophylactic thinking, rewarding players who can anticipate and manage potential threats on the horizon with finesse and strategic deployment of their own resources.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chainwhip Cyclops MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Ravnica: Clue 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 Chainwhip Cyclops 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 Chainwhip Cyclops Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Johann Bodin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-05-03 | War of the Spark | WAR | 118 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 127 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johann Bodin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chainwhip Cyclops has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chainwhip Cyclops card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-05-03 | Activating Chainwhip Cyclops’s ability after a creature has blocked won’t remove the blocking creature from combat or cause the creature it blocked to become unblocked. |