Tigereye Cameo MTG Card


Tigereye Cameo - Invasion
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Released2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameInvasion
Set codeINV
Number314
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDonato Giancola

Key Takeaways

  1. Tigereye Cameo provides advantage through mana acceleration and flexible colors usage.
  2. Demands specific conditions like discard and precise mana cost for optimal use.
  3. Despite alternatives, it holds unique value for multicolored deck stability.

Text of card

oc T: Add o G or o W to your mana pool.

"An elvish adventurer unearthed this stone in Jolrael's jungle. Now it's truly fit for display in one of her palaces." —Isel, master carver


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tigereye Cameo doesn’t just sit idly on the battlefield; by ramping your mana, it indirectly contributes to card advantage by enabling you to play more cards per turn than you normally could. It’s a subtle form of gaining the upper hand, allowing for a fuller hand of strategic options.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana rock, this card offers the crucial benefit of resource acceleration. With Tigereye Cameo, you can access additional mana the moment it comes into play, potentially a turn earlier than your land drops would allow. This can be pivotal in casting high-impact spells ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The ability to produce mana of any color at instant speed with Tigereye Cameo gives you the flexibility to respond dynamically to an evolving game state. This can be the difference between having the right colors to cast a surprise blocker or being able to activate an ability right when it counts.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tigereye Cameo needs a player to give up another card to initiate its effect, which may backfire if you’re already facing a dwindling hand and need all the resources you can manage.

Specific Mana Cost: While the cameo offers some flexibility, it demands a precise blend of mana to cast, which might not sync well with decks that operate with a more diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it adds mana of any color, its own casting cost is on the higher side compared to other mana artifacts. Savvy players might opt for more cost-efficient alternatives for mana acceleration.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tigereye Cameo offers players a flexible mana source that can easily be slotted into various decks, bolstering those that require diverse color combinations without the usual constraints of color fixing.

Combo Potential: As an artifact that taps for mana, Tigereye Cameo works harmoniously with card abilities that capitalize on artifacts or mana generation, offering numerous possibilities for inventive synergy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the landscape is constantly shifting, Tigereye Cameo maintains its value by providing stable mana support, making it a consistent performer against an array of competitive strategies.


How to beat

Tigereye Cameo is an artifact card that holds a unique place within the roster of mana accelerators in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to tap for one mana of any color without any costs puts it on the map as an asset for multicolored decks looking for stability in their mana base. While it doesn’t provide the ramp capability of cards like Sol Ring or the selective filtering of Prophetic Prism, Tigereye Cameo ensures consistent color fixing, which is vital in maintaining tempo against decks that might struggle with color availability.

However, versatility comes at a price and for this card, it’s the relatively slower output compared to more efficient mana artifacts. When facing off against Tigereye Cameo, employing artifact removal such as Abrade or Nature’s Claim can effectively disrupt your opponent’s mana flow, granting you a strategic edge. More defensive strategies might revolve around Stony Silence or Collector Ouphe, which halt the activation of artifacts altogether, nullifying the Cameo’s advantage. So while Tigereye Cameo can be a resourceful tool in a player’s arsenal, it is susceptible to the same weaknesses that plague many artifacts, making it a manageable obstacle for prepared players.


Cards like Tigereye Cameo

When evaluating the utility of Tigereye Cameo in the vast array of mana-generating artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, it’s necessary to look at its peers. Tigereye Cameo offers a flexible color-fixing solution, akin to cards like Darksteel Ingot or Manalith, which also provide that crucial splash of any one mana color. However, where Tigereye Cameo differs significantly is its resistance to color-specific disruption, thanks to its ability to generate colorless mana.

On the subject of versatility, we find the Commander’s Sphere to be a strong comparison. This artifact gives the offer of mana generation and, when no longer needed, converts into card advantage, proving its dual utility. While the Sphere clearly has an edge in this aspect, Tigereye Cameo offers a lower cost to cast, granting players a quicker setup for color accommodations in a multicolored deck. Talisman of Hierarchy presents itself as another noteworthy mention. It boasts lower casting cost and comes with the ability to tap for colorless or a color pair at the cost of one life—a slight but meaningful trade-off in the wider scheme.

Drawing a bead on all angles, Tigereye Cameo holds its ground firmly amidst multifarious options for mana acceleration in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique properties carve a niche that can be essential for decks that demand both color diversity and stability.

Darksteel Ingot - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Commander's Sphere - MTG Card versions
Talisman of Hierarchy - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Ingot - Arena League 2004 (PAL04)
Manalith - Magic 2012 (M12)
Commander's Sphere - Commander 2014 (C14)
Talisman of Hierarchy - Modern Horizons (MH1)

Cards similar to Tigereye Cameo by color, type and mana cost

Behemoth Sledge - MTG Card versions
Wildfield Borderpost - MTG Card versions
Selesnya Keyrune - MTG Card versions
Selesnya Cluestone - MTG Card versions
Dromoka Monument - MTG Card versions
Selesnya Locket - MTG Card versions
Ceremonial Groundbreaker - MTG Card versions
Behemoth Sledge - Fallout (PIP)
Wildfield Borderpost - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Selesnya Keyrune - The List (PLST)
Selesnya Cluestone - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Dromoka Monument - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Selesnya Locket - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Ceremonial Groundbreaker - Streets of New Capenna (SNC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tigereye Cameo MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Tigereye Cameo and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tigereye Cameo has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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