Intrepid Paleontologist MTG Card


Gain card advantage with extra draws from the Intrepid Paleontologist’s dinosaur-triggered effect. Accelerate resources by ramping up mana, setting the pace with powerful spells earlier. Optimize strategic plays with instant-speed interactions to keep opponents off-balance.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Druid
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

: Add one mana of any color. : Exile target card from a graveyard. You may cast Dinosaur creature spells from among cards you own exiled with Intrepid Paleontologist. If you cast a spell this way, that creature enters the battlefield with a finality counter on it.


Cards like Intrepid Paleontologist

Intrepid Paleontologist adds a unique twist to the selection of creature spells in MTG. It’s somewhat akin to creatures like Wall of Omens which allows you to draw a card when it enters the battlefield. However, Intrepid Paleontologist digs a bit deeper into your deck through its ability to look at the top card of your library whenever you gain life, potentially putting land cards into your hand. This subtle yet potent difference gives players a strategic edge in managing their draws and lands.

Another creature card worth comparing is Courser of Kruphix, which similarly manipulates the top of the library and offers an advantage with lands. While Courser of Kruphix allows you to play lands from the top of your library, Intrepid Paleontologist gives you the opportunity to draw them under the right conditions, adding to your hand instead of directly into play. This distinction can be crucial in games where hand size and land drops are tightly managed.

Evaluating these cards together, Intrepid Paleontologist stands out among creature spells, offering distinct life synergy and card draw capabilities that can give players a tactical advantage by optimizing both their mana curve and card flow in a game of MTG.

Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Courser of Kruphix - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Courser of Kruphix - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Intrepid Paleontologist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Naya DinosaursNaya Dinosaurs StandardNaya DinosaursStandard Preliminary 2024-05-06
Gruul DinosaursGruul Dinosaurs StandardGruul DinosaursStandard Challenge 64 2023-12-24
Gruul ComboGruul Combo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro StandardGruul DinosaursJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Naya MidrangeNaya Midrange StandardNaya Fight RiggingJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Domain ControlDomain Control StandardDomainThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Gruul RampGruul Ramp GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024
Naya AggroNaya Aggro StandardNaya Fight RiggingJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Abzan AggroAbzan Aggro StandardGruul DinosaursDEN24 Sun 10:00 - Standard $5k Open 8-slot RCQ
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Intrepid Paleontologist rewards you with extra card draws each time you trigger its “dinosaurs matter” effect. This not only builds your hand but also bolsters your tactical options, continuously nourishing your strategy with a stream of new resources.

Resource Acceleration: By uncovering dinosaur cards with the Intrepid Paleontologist’s unique ability, you set the stage for more potent plays ahead. Each reveal can potentially ramp up your mana resources, allowing you to cast larger threats or multiple spells quicker than usual, outpacing your adversaries.

Instant Speed: The utility of instant speed interactions provided by cards associated with the Intrepid Paleontologist cannot be overstated. This gives you the flexibility to adapt on the fly, holding back crucial plays until the most opportune moment—perhaps during an opponent’s turn, further obscuring your game plan and keeping them guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Intrepid Paleontologist card pairs the lure of bringing dinosaurs into play with the caveat of discarding a card. This trade-off is not always favorable, particularly if your hand is already struggling to keep up with the demands of the game, making some strategic plans more challenging to execute.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck building requires careful mana balancing, and the Intrepid Paleontologist demands a dedicated slot of mana. Its specified cost can be restrictive, potentially limiting the variety of strategies it can complement within your deck’s color scheme.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Resource management is key in MTG, and the Intrepid Paleontologist’s mana cost can be a steep price to pay. When compared to other cards with similar effects, you may find that investing in this card could hinder your ability to play multiple spells in a single turn, which could impede your deck’s overall momentum and pace.


Reasons to Include Intrepid Paleontologist in Your Collection

Versatility: Intrepid Paleontologist has the adaptability to support a wide range of deck builds. Its ability to interact with creature types, particularly Dinosaurs, makes it a useful card for tribal synergies and decks that capitalize on historic spells.

Combo Potential: This card shines in its capability to uncover potent combos, especially when used with cards that benefit from or enable graveyard retrieval, thus ensuring you consistently draw into your threats or needed pieces for victory.

Meta-Relevance: Its role is significant against decks that employ graveyard strategies or rely heavily on creature-based tactics. By disrupting your opponent’s attempts to utilize their graveyard as a resource, Intrepid Paleontologist can become a game-changer in the competitive scene.


How to beat

Intrepid Paleontologist brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield with its ability to dig up powerful dinosaur cards, granting seasoned MTG players an evolutionary edge. To effectively counter this prehistoric prowess, focus on disrupting the player’s graveyard. Graveyard hate cards like Tormod’s Crypt deny access to the fossilized finds the Paleontologist seeks. Furthermore, controlling the pace of the game is key. Utilize counterspells such as Cancel or Essence Scatter to send the Paleontologist into extinction before it lays a footprint on the match.

Direct removal spells are also highly effective; a well-timed Murder or Doom Blade will deal with the Paleontologist, removing the need to contend with its ongoing effects. Additionally, be wary of the value that Intrepid Paleontologist can generate. Prioritize spells and abilities that exile over those that send cards to the graveyard, as this will prevent any potential from recurring threats. Proper timing and strategic planning can ensure you remain at the top of the food chain.

Addressing Intrepid Paleontologist requires an understanding of both tempo and resource control. In maintaining this balance, one can mitigate the card’s impact and maintain a favorable position in the game. This strategic foresight is what shapes victories and showcases the depth of skill and adaptation within the world of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Armed with knowledge of the Intrepid Paleontologist’s strengths and limitations, seasoned MTG players can optimize their gameplay by incorporating this dynamic card into dinosaur-themed decks. Its card draw ability enhances your hand, while perfect timing of instant-speed plays can outmaneuver opponents. However, smart resource management is crucial, given its specific mana requirements and potential impact on your deck’s pace. Embrace its versatility and combo potential to disrupt graveyard-based strategies, making it a debatable but forceful choice in certain meta games. Want to sharpen your deck-building skills and explore innovative strategies with the Intrepid Paleontologist? Dive deeper into the archeological MTG layers with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Intrepid Paleontologist MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Intrepid Paleontologist and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Intrepid Paleontologist Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Irina Nordsol.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3812015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 1932015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Intrepid Paleontologist has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Intrepid Paleontologist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-11-10 Finality counters aren't keyword counters, and a finality counter doesn't give any abilities to the permanent it's on. If that permanent loses its abilities and then would go to a graveyard, it will still be exiled instead.
2023-11-10 Finality counters don't stop permanents from going to zones other than the graveyard from the battlefield. For example, if a permanent with a finality counter on it would be put into its owner's hand from the battlefield, it does so normally.
2023-11-10 Finality counters work on any permanent, not only creatures. If a permanent with a finality counter on it would go to a graveyard from the battlefield, exile it instead.
2023-11-10 Intrepid Paleontologist must be under your control in order to start casting a Dinosaur creature spell using its last ability, but it doesn't need to stay under your control throughout that process or be under your control as the spell resolves. If, for example, you sacrifice Intrepid Paleontologist to pay an additional cost of the spell or it's destroyed in response, the spell will still resolve normally.
2023-11-10 Multiple finality counters on a single permanent are redundant.
2023-11-10 You must still pay all costs and follow any timing restrictions and permissions for Dinosaur creature spells you cast from exile this way. Normally, you'll be able to cast them only during your main phase while the stack is empty.