Ingenious Leonin MTG Card


Ingenious Leonin provides card advantage and resource acceleration, enhancing gameplay through instant speed abilities. It requires precise mana and a discard for activation, which may deter inclusion in some decks. Versatile and combo-friendly, it’s meta-relevant and compares interestingly with similar creature cards.
Ingenious Leonin - Jumpstart 2022
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cat Soldier
Released2022-12-02
Set symbol
Set nameJumpstart 2022
Set codeJ22
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number5
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byEric Deschamps

Text of card

: Put a +1/+1 counter on another target attacking creature you control. If that creature is a Cat, it gains first strike until end of turn.

Leonin claws were already deadly weapons of natural evolution before he improved upon them.


Cards like Ingenious Leonin

Ingenious Leonin piques interest within the pantheon of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a niche with cards like Auriok Champion. Both stand out for their resilience in battle, with Auriok Champion having protection from specific colors, while Ingenious Leonin boasts a sturdy presence on the battleground with its ability to neutralize enchantments. What sets the Leonin apart is its inherent capability to deal with otherwise troublesome nonland permanents.

Looking to Leonin Arbiter, we find another leonine companion with a distinct twist on hindering opponents – curtailing their search capabilities. While the Ingenious Leonin doesn’t impact searches, it brings its own brand of interference by contesting the board state directly. In the realm of white creatures known for versatility and control, Leonin Relic-Warder also mirrors a slice of Ingenious Leonin’s enchantment disruption, yet the Relic-Warder’s effect is fleeting, bound to its own presence on the field.

Ultimately, Ingenious Leonin resonates with players who value direct and enduring impact, blending aspects of creature defense and enchantment control. Its particular blend of abilities finds a unique place in Magic: The Gathering, balancing creature combat with strategic enchantment removal.

Auriok Champion - MTG Card versions
Leonin Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Leonin Relic-Warder - MTG Card versions
Auriok Champion - MTG Card versions
Leonin Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Leonin Relic-Warder - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ingenious Leonin by color, type and mana cost

Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
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Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
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Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Conclave Phalanx - MTG Card versions
Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Shu Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Conclave Phalanx - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ingenious Leonin offers a strategic edge by granting you an extra card for every artifact or enchantment you control when it enters the battlefield. This creates an immediate impact on your hand size, providing you with more options and increasing your potential to outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Through its ability to potentially untap lands whenever it attacks, Ingenious Leonin accelerates your resource accumulation, enabling you to deploy threats or answers at a quicker pace. This flexible mana availability can give you a critical advantage in building your board presence.

Instant Speed: Ingenious Leonin’s ability triggers at instant speed, granting you flexibility in responding to an opponent’s actions. This can disrupt their strategy, all while furthering your game plan. This quality of instantaneity allows for more dynamic and engaging gameplay, keeping your adversaries on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ingenious Leonin compels you to discard another card to activate its primary ability. This action can be troublesome when your hand is already depleted, potentially costing you valuable momentum or forcing tough decisions about which cards to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement to cast, limiting its flexibility. Decks that don’t run the required mana colors may find Ingenious Leonin a challenge to incorporate without a highly adaptable mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side for its effects, there may be alternative creatures or spells that offer a better cost-to-benefit ratio. Savvy players will weigh this when considering Ingenious Leonin for their deck, as the mana investment might overshadow the strategic gains.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ingenious Leonin is a card that blends seamlessly into various deck builds, particularly those needing strategic creature buffs or artifact interactions. This flexibility makes it a staple for players who appreciate adaptable gameplay.

Combo Potential: The ability of Ingenious Leonin to synergize with other cards opens up numerous combo opportunities. It pairs well with effects that trigger upon casting noncreature spells or when artifacts come into play, amplifying the overall impact on the game.

Meta-Relevance: With its ability to influence several aspects of gameplay—be it defense, offense or utility—Ingenious Leonin holds a significant place in the current meta. In environments that value cunning tactics and multipurpose cards, this feline innovator shines.


How to beat

The Ingenious Leonin card presents a tactical challenge on the battlefield. Known for its creativity, this particular creature card can be quite the conundrum to face in MTG. It can give the opponent an advantage by allowing them to draw and play additional cards. However, like any card in the game, there are strategies to overcome it.

One effective method is to limit card drawing opportunities for your opponent. Cards with abilities to restrict or punish drawing, such as Narset, Parter of Veils or Notion Thief, can severely reduce the Ingenious Leonin’s effectiveness. Alternatively, direct removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile can remove the threat from the battlefield before the opponent can capitalize on its benefits.

Employing instant-speed interaction ensures that you can respond to the Ingenious Leonin’s activation, denying your opponent the chance to exploit its full potential. With the right countermeasures, the Ingenious Leonin can be neutralized, allowing you to maintain control of the game’s flow.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ingenious Leonin MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022, 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 Ingenious Leonin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ingenious Leonin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal