Crimson Manticore MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 140
1995-04-01 - Number 183
1995-04-01 - Number 183
1995-08-01 - Number 80
1997-03-24 - Number 217
2009-09-07 - Number 94
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Manticore |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying o Roc T: Manticore does 1 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.
Noted neither for their good looks nor their charm, Crimson Manticores can be fearsome allies. As dinner companions, however, they are best left alone.
Cards like Crimson Manticore
The Crimson Manticore presents a unique challenge and opportunity on the battlefield, reminiscent of other creature cards that command attention upon entry. When you consider its broader family of winged beasts, the comparison becomes evident. The Shivan Dragon, for instance, shares the flying ability and potential for power increase, allowing for formidable aerial combat.
However, the Manticore differs with its additional first-strike capability and the requirement for a sacrifice to activate its power boost. In contrast, the Shivan Dragon can steadily increase its strength without the need for such a trade-off. Moreover, the Crimson Manticore’s design nods to flexibility akin to the Flameborn Hellion, which also packs a heavy punch with haste but lacks the Manticore’s first-strike advantage and tactical depth provided by the sacrifice mechanic.
Assessing these creatures against one another, the Crimson Manticore stands out for those who favor strategic play. It demands careful deck building to exploit its full potential, positioning itself as an intriguing option for MTG enthusiasts who appreciate a more nuanced approach to combat and board control.
Cards similar to Crimson Manticore by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Crimson Manticore offers a significant edge by potentially eliminating an opponent’s creature while maintaining your board presence, effectively swinging the game in your favor with its enter-the-battlefield effect.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially dealing damage directly to your opponent’s life total, the Crimson Manticore can accelerate the pace of the game, pushing you closer to victory much faster than a game focused on creature combat alone.
Instant Speed: The capacity to act at instant speed provides a strategic advantage, allowing you to respond to an opponent’s actions or end-of-turn dynamics, keeping them guessing about your next move and maintaining pressure.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Crimson Manticore card requires a player to discard another card, a potential downside during a game where hand size equates to the number of options available. Discarding can be especially problematic if you’re running low on cards or need to maintain a variety of choices for strategic plays.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a mana cost that demands red mana can restrict deck-building options. This specificity means it slots into mono-red or certain multicolor decks but might not fit comfortably into others without a reliable mana base, potentially limiting its versatility across the broad spectrum of possible decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost higher than alternatives that may offer similar or better effects, the affordability of casting Crimson Manticore might not favor many game strategies. Players often seek the most efficient use of their mana resources, and there may be situations where the card does not provide the best value for its cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Crimson Manticore has the adaptability to slide into various deck strategies due to its direct damage ability. It can be a crucial tool in handling creature-based threats or pressuring life totals.
Combo Potential: Its triggered ability pairs nicely with cards that reward you for dealing damage to creatures or players, opening up possibilities for powerful synergies and game-changing combos.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-centric decks commonly populating the meta, Crimson Manticore’s potential for removal and reach makes it a relevant inclusion. It can shift the tide in matches by offering both removal and a potential clock against opponents.
How to Beat
The Crimson Manticore is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, presenting a sizeable threat on the board with its flying and first strike abilities. This card can quickly become a major obstacle for your opponent, particularly when it’s amassing +1/+1 counters with each non-combat damage dealt to a creature.
Neutralizing this fiery beast requires strategic play. Using removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile can efficiently eliminate it before your opponent can capitalize on its power-boosting ability. Alternatively, Suppression Bonds or Pacifism are effective at preventing the Manticore from attacking or blocking, while a well-timed Counterspell can stop it from ever entering the battlefield. Remember, its weakness lies in its activation cost for the damage ability, giving you a window of opportunity to respond.
Employing board wipes such as Wrath of God creates a clean slate by removing all creatures, including the tenacious manticore. When facing this card, it’s vital to control the pace and flow of the game, disrupting your opponent’s strategy and removing the manticore threat promptly—turning what might be a fierce duel into a winnable match for you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crimson Manticore MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border, 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 Crimson Manticore 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 Crimson Manticore Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 140 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 183 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 183 | 1993 | Normal | White | Daniel Gelon | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 80 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 217 | 1997 | Normal | White | Roger Raupp | |
| 6 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 94 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crimson Manticore has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |