Spike Cannibal MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Spike
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	0
Toughness	0
Number	75
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Joel Biske

Key Takeaways

Using Spike Cannibal can create a significant power shift by reallocating +1/+1 counters upon entry.
Its unique ability can integrate well with counter-based strategies and disrupt opponents’ board states.
Flexibility and preparedness are crucial in countering Spike Cannibal’s potentially game-changing impact.

Text of card

Spike Cannibal comes into play with one +1/+1 counter on it. When Spike Cannibal comes into play, move all +1/+1 counters from all creatures onto Spike Cannibal.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Spike Cannibal, you gain a unique type of card advantage by absorbing all the +1/+1 counters from other creatures on the battlefield. This not only beefs up Spike Cannibal potentially to a formidable threat but also weakens your opponents’ creatures, swinging the balance of power in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Spike Cannibal itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to disrupt opponents by stripping their creatures of counters can slow them down. This tempo swing can indirectly accelerate your position by diminishing the resources they have on board, giving you a lead in the race to establish a dominant presence.

Instant Speed: Spike Cannibal’s effect isn’t at instant speed, but it is state-based, which means it happens as soon as it enters the battlefield. No waiting around for summoning sickness to wear off or for the right phase of your turn; as soon as Spike Cannibal lands, you get immediate results. This allows for strategic play where timely deployment can have maximum impact, such as right after your opponent has invested in building up their creatures.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spike Cannibal’s entrance to the battlefield doesn’t enforce any discard from your hand, but it can potentially empty your own creatures’ counters if not played strategically. This might leave you in a predicament where you have unintentionally weakened your own board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring black mana exclusively, Spike Cannibal is not as flexible for multicolored decks that may run smoother with a more color-diverse casting cost. Players need to account for this when considering their mana base during deck construction to ensure they can play it when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Spike Cannibal may arrive too late to impact early game encounters. In situations where speed is paramount and each turn counts, the mana investment for Spike Cannibal can seem steep, particularly when its ability is situational and dependent on the presence of counters on other creatures in play.

Reasons to Include Spike Cannibal in Your Collection

Versatility: Spike Cannibal’s ability to manipulate counters makes it a flexible option for various deck strategies, particularly those looking to control or shift the balance of power during gameplay.

Combo Potential: Given its unique ability to absorb all counters on the battlefield, Spike Cannibal has potential synergy with strategies focused on proliferate mechanics or counter-intensive decks.

Meta-Relevance: As the game environment shifts and counter-focused decks emerge, Spike Cannibal becomes a tactical inclusion to counteract opposing strategies that rely on +1/+1 counters or similar mechanics.

How to beat

Spike Cannibal, although not the flashiest of creatures, brings a unique twist to Magic: The Gathering games. Upon its entry to the battlefield, it siphons all the +1/+1 counters from other creatures across the board. This ability can strategically disarm opponents, especially those who rely heavily on building large, buffed creatures to dominate the game.

Defeating a Spike Cannibal requires foresight and flexibility in your playstyle. Prioritize removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their power or toughness. Having instant-speed removal like Murder or Path to Exile can ensure that you can react swiftly to its casting before your creatures are weakened. Additionally, focusing on strategies that don’t rely on +1/+1 counters as the primary path to victory, such as direct damage or mill, can circumvent the Spike Cannibal’s impact altogether. Another effective method is to force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, which bypasses the Cannibal’s ability, using cards like Diabolic Edict.

Ultimately, while Spike Cannibal can pose a significant roadblock for counter-centric decks, diversifying your tactics and maintaining removal options are the keys to surpassing this challenge and leading your deck to victory.

Cards like Spike Cannibal

Spike Cannibal is a unique addition to the array of strategic creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its effect is particularly distinct, which makes comparisons a bit intricate. Comparable creatures that manipulate +1/+1 counters, such as Cytoplast Manipulator, can also have a profound impact on the board state. While Cytoplast Manipulator offers control by moving counters around, Spike Cannibal outright expropriates all counters upon entry, dramatically altering the landscape of power on the spot.

Another creature that can alter the dynamics of counters in play is Thief of Blood. This creature, akin to Spike Cannibal, snatches away all +1/+1 counters—and even planeswalker loyalty counters—providing a broad sweep against an array of game pieces. Nevertheless, Thief of Blood’s flying ability gives it an edge in evasion but lacks the surprise element of Spike Cannibal’s immediate effect upon hitting the board. Finally, Aether Snap addresses counter removal as well. Despite being a sorcery and removing all counters without transferring them, it can decimate accumulative strategies instantly.

Assessing Spike Cannibal’s singular ability, it holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering with its potential to disrupt and concentrate power, making it a speculator’s card of interest for those anticipating the perfect moment to shift the tide of counters in their favor.

Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spike Cannibal by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spike Cannibal MTG card by a specific set like Exodus, 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 Spike Cannibal and other MTG cards: