Maned Serval MTG Card

Maned Serval - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Cat
Abilities	Vigilance
Released	2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set name	Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set code	IKO
Power	1
Toughness	4
Number	23
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jonathan Kuo

Key Takeaways

Its vigilant nature allows offensive and defensive flexibility, making it a dual-threat on the board.
As a low-cost creature, Maned Serval suits multiple white-based deck strategies in MTG.
Comparing it against other two-mana creatures, its vigilance can be a deciding factor in battle.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance

"Don't search the ruins of Orn during the day. Nethroi's many eyes will spot you instantly. Don't go at night either. You'll be dinner for the servals. Maybe just don't go." —Rasai, Indatha hunter

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Maned Serval doesn’t directly allow for drawing cards, its presence on the board can deter your opponent from attacking, effectively preserving your hand and limiting the resources your opponent can use to force you to play differently.

Resource Acceleration: Maned Serval itself may not accelerate resources in terms of mana, but its low casting cost allows for a quicker buildup on the board, paving the way for deploying bigger threats sooner.

Instant Speed: Maned Serval plays at sorcery speed, but its Lifelink ability can be an unexpected boon during combat, offering you a life buffer against aggressive strategies, even when deployed during your main phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Maned Serval offers a solid body for its cost, it doesn’t come without a drawback. Players need to consider the potential need to part with a valuable card in hand, which may not always align with the game strategy, particularly in decks that rely on maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Maned Serval demands a precise mana arrangement to be cast efficiently. This can sometimes pose a challenge, especially in multi-colored decks where mana flexibility is key to executing a wider range of strategies on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that might be on the higher side for its stat line and abilities, players often assess Maned Serval against other creatures in the same range. It’s important to weigh its cost-effectiveness, especially when considering the tempo of the game and alternative creatures or spells that could provide greater immediate impact or versatility.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Maned Serval shines in decks that capitalize on its keyword, vigilance. It’s a solid play in limited formats and can be easily slotted as a low-cost creature in various white-based aggro or midrange decks.

Combo Potential: Its inherent vigilance allows for defensive stability while engaging in combat. This makes it synergize well with equipment or auras that bolster its combat capabilities, often making it a linchpin in creature-based combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: Given that efficient creatures are always relevant in various MTG metas, Maned Serval holds its ground by being a cost-effective option that can be decisive in the early game, potentially swaying the board in your favor against aggressive opponents.

How to beat

Maned Serval, with its characteristic vigilance trait, sits comfortably on the board as a dependable early blocker in Magic the Gathering. Unlike other one-mana creatures, it poses an immediate dilemma to opponents because of its ability to both attack and defend without tapping. A straightforward approach to overpower this card is through removal spells. Early game spells like Shock or Fatal Push can swiftly deal with Maned Serval before it can be bolstered by combat tricks or aura cards.

Additionally, players can outpace the Maned Serval by focusing on ramp strategies to cast larger threats quicker or through tokens generation to overwhelm the Serval’s solitary presence. In multi-creature stalemates, evasion abilities like flying or trample can also effectively bypass the vigilant feline. When faced against Maned Serval, consider its potential as a magnet for buffs and react accordingly. Strategically, timing your removal after your opponent commits to enchanting or equipping can ensure a two-for-one advantage, disrupting their early game presence.

Tackling the resilience of Maned Serval involves recognizing its role in the opponent’s strategy and interrupting it efficiently, which can dramatically shift the game’s momentum in your favor.

Cards like Maned Serval

Maned Serval finds its place among the pantheon of two-mana creatures in Magic: The Gathering, akin to other utility creatures like Leonin of the Lost Pride. The Serval offers a blend of early presence with its 2/1 stats and vigilance, allowing for persistent pressure without leaving your guard down. This resembles Leonin of the Lost Pride in terms of cost and power, though the Leonin lacks the vigilance trait.

When compared to another creature such as Glory Seeker, they share the same stats, but Maned Serval’s vigilance gives it a slight defensive edge. Conversely, Glory Seeker, devoid of any abilities, doesn’t provide the same flexibility in simultaneous attack and defense.

On the defensive front, Concordia Pegasus flies in as a contender with a similar vigilance ability but trades off one point of power for flying. This dynamic can influence the battlefield differently, making the Pegasus a better defensive player against ground-based armies, while the Maned Serval excels in holding the line while pecking away at an opponent’s life total.

In summing up, Maned Serval, while not groundbreaking, holds merit as a reliable early-game piece that balances offensive capabilities with defensive vigilance, making it a species worth considering for deck building in Magic: The Gathering.

Leonin of the Lost Pride - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maned Serval MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Maned Serval and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maned Serval has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal