Heir of the Ancient Fang MTG Card
2022-02-18 - Number 325
2022-02-18 - Number 191
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Snake Samurai |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Enhances deck consistency through card advantage by its draw and discard ability.
- It’s a boon for graveyard strategies, working well with delve and undergrowth.
- Instant speed activation offers strategic advantage and surprise tactics.
Text of card
Heir of the Ancient Fang enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it if you control a modified creature. (Equipment, Auras you control, and counters are modifications.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Heir of the Ancient Fang presents an opportunity to continuously sift through the deck by enabling you to discard and draw cards. This ability can be instrumental in assembling key combinations or simply maintaining a steady flow of options as the match progresses.
Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes with strategies that benefit from sending cards to the graveyard, potentially accelerating the access to resources. Whether it fuels delve mechanics or powers up undergrowth abilities, it’s a versatile tool for decks that capitalize on graveyard interactions.
Instant Speed: Any card that can be activated at instant speed provides a strategic edge, allowing players to respond to opponents’ actions on their turn. The Heir of the Ancient Fang can be unsuspectingly lethal when used at precisely the right moment, making it a formidable choice in reactive and tempo-based strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Heir of the Ancient Fang demands that you discard another card to unlock its full potential. This trade-off could backfire in situations where your hand is already stretched thin, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a mana cost that includes black mana, which may not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype. Decks that do not run black mana will find it impossible to cast, thereby limiting its inclusion to only those that can meet its color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side for its effects, Heir of the Ancient Fang’s efficiency is outmatched by other cards in the same mana range. Players might opt for alternatives that offer similar benefits without the steep mana investment.
Reasons to Include Heir of the Ancient Fang in Your Collection
Versatility: Heir of the Ancient Fang adapts flexibly to a variety of deck builds. Its ability to control the board while offering card advantage makes it a highly effective tool in Black-based decks.
Combo Potential: This card shines in strategies that capitalize on creature deaths or graveyard synergy. Its potential to churn through your deck can set up game-winning combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames that favor aggressive creature strategies or value-efficient removal, Heir of the Ancient Fang can serve as an exceptional answer, making it a worthy contender in your deck roster.
How to beat
Heir of the Ancient Fang is a powerful creature card in the realm of MTG, offering an advantage to players by synergizing with snake and ninja decks. Its ability to deputize your creatures as ninjas and provide card advantage makes it a considerable threat on the board. To counteract this card, consider strategies that disrupt its mechanics. Removal spells that can target Heir of the Ancient Fang before it exerts influence, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, prove to be essential tools.
Moreover, employing board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation cleanses the field of multiple creatures, thus nullifying the card advantage Heir of the Ancient Fang aims for. Also, graveyard interaction can be effective. Cards like Rest in Peace can prevent any potential graveyard synergies that benefit from Heir of the Ancient Fang’s abilities. Tactics like these can level the playing field and dampen the card’s impact, ensuring that you’re not overrun by the sneaky tactics it endorses in a MTG match.
Preemptively, consider adjusting your deck to incorporate cards that negate its activation or use creatures with hexproof to maintain a strong presence on the board against such stealthy threats. In summary, timely removal, strategic board control, and selective counterplay are your keys to triumphing over an opponent wielding the Heir of the Ancient Fang.
Cards like Heir of the Ancient Fang
Heir of the Ancient Fang presents players with a unique role in black-centric decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its design resembles certain aspects of other creatures, such as Vampire Nighthawk, which also thrives in black. The Nighthawk offers lifelink and deathtouch, positioning it as a solid defender and attacker. Though Heir of the Ancient Fang doesn’t directly mirror these abilities, it provides its own value through potential card draw and board presence.
Looking at another comparison, Ophiomancer is a worthy mention. Both cards create resources – Ophiomancer supplies a steady stream of snake tokens, whereas Heir of the Ancient Fang can sift through the deck to find key pieces, making your strategy more consistent. Ophiomancer has an edge in maintaining field control, but Heir of the Ancient Fang’s ability to dig for answers or threats can be imperative in tight situations.
To sum up, each card holds its merit, but Heir of the Ancient Fang carves out a distinct niche. It can be a strategic cornerstone for players looking to mix evasive creature abilities with the utility of shaping their hand and accessing their deck’s potential more effectively.
Cards similar to Heir of the Ancient Fang by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heir of the Ancient Fang MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Heir of the Ancient Fang and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
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Printings
The Heir of the Ancient Fang Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 325 | 2015 | Normal | Black | T-Track | |
| 2 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 191 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joseph Weston |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Heir of the Ancient Fang has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Heir of the Ancient Fang card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-02-18 | A creature that is equipped is considered modified no matter who controls the Equipment that's attached to it. |
| 2022-02-18 | A creature with a counter on it is considered modified no matter what kind of counter it is or which player put it on that creature. |
| 2022-02-18 | An Aura controlled by an opponent does not cause a creature you control to be modified. |
| 2022-02-18 | Only creatures can be modified. If a modified creature stops being a creature, it is no longer considered modified. |