Dinotomaton MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Dinosaur Gnome |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 144 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Text of card
Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) When Dinotomaton enters the battlefield, target creature you control gains menace until end of turn.
"Oh, Saheeli would *love* you." —Huatli
Cards like Dinotomaton
Dinotomaton finds its place in the expansive universe of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, sharing the battlefield with other artifact creatures. It bears resemblance to Clockwork Beast, another artifact creature that ticks up with +1/+0 counters, showcasing a synergy with mechanics that modify and utilize counters. However, Dinotomaton stands out with its more forgiving mana cost and ease of integration into various deck types that may benefit from its unique abilities.
When examining Myr Enforcer, we notice how it also benefits from a reduced cost mechanic, but it leans heavily on the affinity for artifacts. Dinotomaton doesn’t require such a specific board state, offering flexibility. Steel Overseer presents a slightly different angle, allowing one to not only add counters to itself but to other artifact creatures as well, a group which includes Dinotomaton, potentially magnifying its impact on the game.
Comparing these cards highlights the multifaceted strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Dinotomaton doesn’t overshadow its peers, but rather, it complements a strategy where modular utility is key, and cost-effectiveness is paramount.
Cards similar to Dinotomaton by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Dinotomaton allows you to maintain a steady flow of cards into your hand, ensuring that your options don’t dwindle as the match progresses. This can be especially potent in longer games where attrition can determine the winner.
Resource Acceleration: This automaton can be a game-changer by helping you ramp up your resources quickly. It’s designed to seamlessly integrate into decks that benefit from accelerating their mana base, which can be pivotal for casting high-cost creatures or pivoting strategies mid-game.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed gives you a significant tactical advantage, allowing you to be reactive to your opponent’s moves. This versatility lets you make decisions with more information, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy while fortifying your own position on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Dinotomaton requires a player to discard a card, which might deplete an already scarce hand, particularly in strategies that do not have robust card draw capabilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Dinotomaton’s mana cost is restrictive as it demands a particular color alignment, potentially limiting its integration only to decks that can comfortably produce or fix that mana type.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its cost being at the higher end of the spectrum for its abilities, players might find the investment in mana does not yield a proportional advantage, especially when compared to other creatures or spells in the same mana range that might provide more immediate or impactful effects on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dinotomaton provides a dynamic option for any deck that aims to curve out efficiently. Its adaptability across various strategies makes it a staple for those seeking to build a responsive and resilient board presence.
Combo Potential: This card shines when synergized with effects that care about artifact creatures or the historic mechanic. It can serve as a catalyst in a combo centric deck, or simply as an enabler to pave the way for more explosive plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given that Dinotomaton aligns well with current deck archetypes that favor quick and impactful plays, it can provide an edge in a meta that values tempo and tactical creature deployment.
How to beat
Dinotomaton is a card that presents unique challenges on the battlefield with its adaptability and ability to grow in strength. Its versatility lies in its power to accrue +1/+1 counters, potentially making it a formidable adversary as the game progresses. To counteract this growing threat, it’s essential to tackle it swiftly and efficiently.
Utilizing removal spells that can target Dinotomaton before it becomes too large is key. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile offer a cost-effective method to deal with it early on. It’s also prudent to keep removal resources in reserve, especially ones that don’t discriminate based on creature size, such as Murder or Oblivion Ring. Moreover, countering the card upon first cast can prevent the threat entirely. Strategic counterspells, such as Counterspell or Mana Leak, can serve well in this capacity.
Another tactic involves reducing the effectiveness of +1/+1 counters through cards that prevent counter accumulation. Incorporating negation effects like Solemnity into your game plan can keep Dinotomaton in check. Ultimately, being proactive and prepared to mitigate its escalating power levels will increase your chances of prevailing against this dynamic card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dinotomaton MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Dinotomaton 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dinotomaton 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 |