Lavakin Brawler MTG Card


Lavakin Brawler - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental Warrior
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 2
Toughness 4
Number147
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byVictor Adame Minguez

Key Takeaways

  1. Empowers its offense significantly with an elemental-rich battlefield, becoming a compelling force in combat.
  2. Slips into your mana curve gracefully, enhancing your deck’s resource efficiency and aggressive capabilities.
  3. Addresses the meta, adapting to decks that harness the synergy of Elementals striking a balance in red-focused collections.

Text of card

Whenever Lavakin Brawler attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each Elemental you control.

She swings with the ease of flowing lava and hits with the force of a meteor.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Lavakin Brawler stands out by increasing its power for each Elemental you control, potentially swelling its power far beyond its initial stats. This synergistic advantage means that with a board filled with Elementals, every new creature you play can make the Brawler a more formidable threat, essentially granting you increasing returns on your cards in play.

Resource Acceleration: As a four-mana creature, Lavakin Brawler fits snugly into your mana curve and efficiently utilizes your resources. Its potential for accelerated power growth can be harnessed early and can apply pressure against opponents without the need to invest additional mana each turn.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the Lavakin Brawler can significantly benefit from instant speed spells in your arsenal. With spells that can summon Elementals or buff your creatures on the fly, you can enhance the Brawler unexpectedly during combat, turning the tides in your favor and leaving your opponent reeling from a suddenly increased attack power.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Lavakin Brawler requires a commitment to not just the initial cast but also to keeping enough elementals in hand or on the field. Since its power relies on the number of elementals you control, having to lose one can diminish its impact significantly.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a blend of generic and red mana, Lavakin Brawler is tailored for a red-centric or red-inclusive deck, thus not fitting seamlessly into multicolored or non-red strategies. This can make it less versatile for many players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature whose strength is dependent on others, the four mana cost to get Lavakin Brawler onto the battlefield may prove pricey, particularly when opining for alternatives that are either standalone powerhouses or offer immediate value upon entry.


Reasons to Include Lavakin Brawler in Your Collection

Versatility: Lavakin Brawler’s increasing power for each Element you control allows it to adapt to various deck builds, especially in Element-centric or red-based aggression decks.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that play numerous Elementals, potentially increasing its power substantially and turning it into a formidable threat on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where Elemental decks are prevalent, or if you’re looking to strengthen your red-centric deck against other popular builds, Lavakin Brawler can serve as a key component to intensify your offensive strategy.


How to beat

Lavakin Brawler is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Playing against this card in MTG means understanding how its power scales with the number of elementals you control. This unique characteristic can quickly escalate and turn Lavakin Brawler into a significant threat. That said, a smart strategy to counter this creature involves minimizing the number of elementals on the field. Removal spells that can deal with multiple creatures at once, such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act, become incredibly potent tools to keep Lavakin Brawler in check.

In addition to mass removal options, targeted removal spells like Path to Exile or Doom Blade are also effective means to neutralize Lavakin Brawler before it gets out of hand. It’s critical to be proactive and manage the board state efficiently, ensuring that the Brawler doesn’t benefit from a wide field of elemental allies. If your opponent doesn’t have a substantial number of elementals to boost Lavakin Brawler, its offensive capabilities remain manageable. Control the pace, manage the threats, and Lavakin Brawler will be less of a problem during your MTG matches.


Cards like Lavakin Brawler

Lavakin Brawler takes its place in the realm of creature cards with power-boosting abilities. It stands shoulder to shoulder with others like Fire Urchin, which also gains power as you cast instant or sorcery spells. Yet, Lavakin Brawler distinguishes itself with its elemental synergy, growing stronger with each elemental card you control, unlike Fire Urchin’s singular trigger when casting an instant or sorcery card.

Contemporaries of Lavakin Brawler include cards like Scampering Scorcher. This elemental creature also benefits your elemental strategy, although it excels in providing additional elemental creatures rather than directly boosting its power. There’s a subtle interplay here – Scampering Scorcher’s tokens can pump Lavakin Brawler’s power while the brawler does not inherently contribute to board presence.

In essence, when comparing Lavakin Brawler to similar MTG creature cards, it becomes evident that its strength lies in elemental-heavy decks. Its unique ability to become substantially powerful with an army of elementals highlights its potential in the right context. Consequently, among creature cards with growth potential, Lavakin Brawler impressively holds its own.

Fire Urchin - MTG Card versions
Scampering Scorcher - MTG Card versions
Fire Urchin - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Scampering Scorcher - Core Set 2020 (M20)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lavakin Brawler MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Lavakin Brawler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lavakin Brawler has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-07-12 Because Lavakin Brawler is itself an Elemental, its ability will usually give it at least +1/+0.
2019-07-12 The size of the bonus is determined as Lavakin Brawler’s ability begins to resolve; it won’t change later in the turn if the number of Elementals you control changes.

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