Initiate's Companion MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 174
2020-07-17 - Number 403
2020-08-13 - Number 198
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever Initiate's Companion deals combat damage to a player, untap target creature or land.
"I'd like to say that it's our pet, but the reverse may be closer to the truth." —Ixor, initiate of Rhet crop
Cards like Initiate's Companion
Initiate’s Companion slots into Magic: The Gathering decks as a creature card that offers utility beyond a simple battlefield presence. Similar to cards like Oreskos Swiftclaw, both creatures share a 3/1 stat line for a low mana investment, enabling early game aggression. Unlike Oreskos Swiftclaw, Initiate’s Companion has the unique ability to untap a permanent, lending extra versatility and potentially leading to powerful synergies within the deck.
Another card worth comparing is Snapping Sailback, which also falls within the same green mana spectrum. While the Snapping Sailback offers a larger body with flash and the enrage mechanic, it lacks the utility of untapping lands or creatures that Initiate’s Companion provides. This can make Initiate’s Companion a favorable choice in decks that aim to exploit specific tap and untap strategies.
Looking across these options, Initiate’s Companion stands out in decks focusing on maximizing the number of actions per turn. The capability to untap another permanent, especially in combination with mana dorks or cards with lucrative tap abilities, makes it shine in the right context within the diverse MTG strategies.
Cards similar to Initiate's Companion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the key features of Initiate’s Companion is its capacity to smooth out your deck’s operation. While it doesn’t draw you extra cards directly, triggering a fresh draw when it deals combat damage can replace itself in your hand, keeping your options open.
Resource Acceleration: Given that this creature allows you to untap another target creature or land, Initiate’s Companion can effectively be seen as an accelerator. It contributes to your mana efficiency, enabling you to deploy resources faster than your opponent. This can be particularly significant in the early stages of a game where establishing a board presence quickly is often crucial to victory.
Instant Speed: Although the Initiate’s Companion doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, its ability can complement instant-speed strategies. By untapping a creature or land during your combat phase, it can effectively leave you with more options to respond to your opponent’s moves, including casting spells or activating abilities at instant speed on their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although the Initiate’s Companion card itself does not have a discard requirement, it’s important to weigh its inclusion against other cards in your deck that might. If the rest of your deck is discard-heavy, Initiate’s Companion might not synergize well with your strategy, leaving you at a disadvantage when you’re already low on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: The Initiate’s Companion requires a precise mana configuration to cast – one generic and one green mana. This specific mana cost can restrict the card’s integration into multicolor decks, limiting its versatility across different play styles and formats.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its 2/1 stats and the untapping ability it provides, the Initiate’s Companion can be seen as having a relatively high mana cost. Players often expect more impactful effects or stronger creatures for this cost, which means this card could be overlooked when constructing a deck with efficiency in mind.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Initiate’s Companion offers flexibility to a variety of green-based decks, being able to untap another target creature or land. This can be pivotal for ramping up mana or enabling multiple attacks within a single turn.
Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that have tap abilities or need to be untapped to maximize their abilities, Initiate’s Companion can form synergies that exploit these features for potent combos, potentially changing the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where speed and resource utilization are key, the Companion shines by accelerating mana development and increasing the effectiveness of your board presence, keeping pace with fast-moving and tightly contested games.
How to Beat Initiate’s Companion
Initiate’s Companion, a creature from the Amonkhet set in Magic: The Gathering, serves as a useful card for ramping up your gameplay. The card allows you to untap another target creature or land when it deals combat damage to a player. This effect can be pivotal in giving you an extra edge by reusing your creatures or ramping up mana.
To counter this agile feline, smart removal choices are key. Since the Companion has only a 3/1 stat line, any sort of removal spell is usually enough to deal with it efficiently. It’s vulnerable to anything from Shock to Fatal Push, making it an easy target to dispose of before its untap ability can be leveraged.
Remember, Initiate’s Companion’s strength is hinged on dealing combat damage, so blocking with a creature of superior strength or employing instant-speed tricks during the combat phase may prevent it from triggering its untap ability. Efficient board control is often enough to suppress the utility that Initiate’s Companion brings to your opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Initiate's Companion MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Jumpstart, 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 Initiate's Companion 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
Printings
The Initiate's Companion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 174 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 403 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 198 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Initiate's Companion 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |