Cyclops Gladiator MTG Card

Cyclops Gladiator excels in controlling the battlefield by eliminating opponents’ creatures during combat. Its sorcery speed with instant impact during combat phases provides a significant tactical advantage. Despite its power, the card requires careful hand and mana management to maximize effectiveness.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Cyclops Warrior
Released	2010-07-16
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2011
Set code	M11
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	131
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Text of card

Whenever Cyclops Gladiator attacks, you may have it deal damage equal to its power to target creature defending player controls. If you do, that creature deals damage equal to its power to Cyclops Gladiator.

Cards like Cyclops Gladiator

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Cyclops Gladiator offers a unique blend of combat interaction and creature removal. This characteristic aligns it closely with the likes of Flametongue Kavu, which also provides a removal effect upon entering the battlefield. Unlike Flametongue Kavu though, Cyclops Gladiator requires an attack trigger to initiate its creature targeting ability. However, this also comes with the potential upside of repeated removal each combat phase — a trait not shared by the Flametongue.

Another comparable card is Avatar of Woe, which, like Cyclops Gladiator, carries the potential to destroy creatures. Avatar of Woe does not need to attack to exert its influence and can be activated at a lower cost if conditions are met. The Gladiator’s requirement of both survival through combat and a three-mana investment each turn presents a different strategic angle.

Ultimately, Cyclops Gladiator carves a niche in MTG as a robust, offensive threat capable of altering the board state through direct creature engagement. Its ability to repeatedly dispatch opponents’ creatures can give players an edge, aligning with the aggressive strategies that define red’s slice of the color pie.

Cards similar to Cyclops Gladiator by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cyclops Gladiator offers a unique advantage by having the ability to destroy target creatures your opponents control, potentially turning each combat into a favorable trade and thinning the opponent’s board presence. This not only disrupts their strategy but also paves the way for your other creatures to attack with less resistance, applying pressure while you maintain card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though Cyclops Gladiator itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its presence on the battlefield can lead to indirect acceleration. By removing potential blockers or threats, it allows your more aggressive creatures to connect more reliably, possibly accelerating your game plan through increased combat damage.

Instant Speed: While Cyclops Gladiator operates at sorcery speed, its ability triggers during the attack phase, giving you a tactical edge. You can declare it as an attacker and choose to engage its ability depending on how your opponent declares blockers, effectively granting you significant interaction on your turn that can influence the state of the board instantly. It is this strategic flexibility that makes the card a formidable threat each combat phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing the Cyclops Gladiator requires tactical deck management, as it necessitates having a card to discard. This can put you at a significant disadvantage during gameplay, particularly when your hand is running short on cards, forcing tough decisions about resource allocation and potentially compromising your position.

Specific Mana Cost: The Cyclops Gladiator demands a specific and somewhat demanding mana arrangement—1 red and 2 generic mana—which can make it a challenging fit outside of mono-red or heavy red-based decks. This requirement can be restrictive and lessen its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total mana cost amounting to four, including three dedicated red sources, the Gladiator enters the battlefield later than some other creatures. While it has the potential to be a game-changer, its costliness must be weighed against other options that might provide faster or more consistent advantages to your gameplay.

Reasons to Include Cyclops Gladiator in Your Collection

Versatility: Cyclops Gladiator offers a unique blend of aggression and control, making it a powerful addition to red decks looking for a creature that can dominate the battlefield while selectively removing problematic creatures.

Combo Potential: With the ability to deal damage equivalent to its power, the Cyclops Gladiator pairs well with equipment and auras that boost its power, offering opportunities for devastating single-turn knockouts.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape evolves, Cyclops Gladiator remains relevant, particularly in formats where creatures play a key role. Its capacity to disrupt opponent strategies and act as a removal-on-a-stick gives it an enduring place in certain metas.

How to beat

Cyclops Gladiator is a formidable force on the battlefield, known for its ability to single-handedly take down opponent creatures. To gain an upper hand against this towering menace, it’s essential to employ strategies that curtail its combat-triggered abilities. One effective method is to utilize instant-speed removal spells before the Gladiator has a chance to engage in combat. Cards like Path to Exile or Murder can swiftly dispatch the Gladiator without giving it a chance to wreak havoc.

Another approach is to deploy creatures with protection or indestructible qualities, which can withstand Cyclops Gladiator’s brute force. Indestructible creatures such as Darksteel Myr pose a significant challenge for the Gladiator, ensuring that your board presence remains untouched. Additionally, using enchantments that prevent Cyclops Gladiator from attacking or blocking, like Pacifism, can neutralize this threat without having to remove it from play.

The key to successfully countering Cyclops Gladiator lies in preemptive measures and maintaining control over the battlefield. By staying a step ahead and having the right cards at your disposal, you can mitigate the impact of this powerful card and maintain an advantage over your opponent.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cyclops Gladiator MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011, 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 Cyclops Gladiator and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cyclops Gladiator has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2010-08-15	Cyclops Gladiator’s ability triggers and resolves during the declare attackers step, before blockers are declared. If it survives, it continues to attack (presumably with some damage marked on it) and may be blocked.
2010-08-15	If the targeted creature leaves the battlefield (or otherwise becomes an illegal target) before the ability resolves, the ability doesn’t resolve. Cyclops Gladiator isn’t dealt damage.
2010-08-15	On the other hand, if Cyclops Gladiator leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, the ability continues to resolve. Cyclops Gladiator deals damage to the targeted creature equal to the power it had as it last existed on the battlefield.