Jungle Lion MTG Card

Early board pressure from Jungle Lion can generate significant card advantage over your opponent. It promises resource acceleration with low mana cost and fast attack speed, shaping the game’s pace. Retaining mana for instant responses complements Jungle Lion’s straightforward attack strategy.

Portal (POR)
1997-05-01 - Number 171

Masters Edition III (ME3)
2009-09-07 - Number 125

Jungle Lion - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)

Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
2010-11-08 - Number A76

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Cat
Power	2
Toughness	1

Text of card

Jungle Lion can't intercept.

The lion's only loyalty is to its hunger.

Cards like Jungle Lion

The Jungle Lion from Magic: The Gathering is a quick and aggressive creature card, reminiscent of other low-cost creatures designed to pressure opponents early in the game. Its attributes bear resemblance to Savannah Lions, both being 2/1 creatures for a single white mana. However, Jungle Lion can’t be blocked by more than one creature, granting it an edge in evading unfavorable trades on the battlefield.

Exploring further, we encounter Isamaru, Hound of Konda, another potent one-mana creature. Isamaru offers a balanced trade-off with its sturdy 2/2 stats but lacks Jungle Lion’s multitarget block evasion. Despite this, its resilience against removal due to higher toughness often favors its inclusion in decks seeking early dominance.

In the realm of one-mana creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Jungle Lion stands out for its ability to slip past multiple blockers, a trait that in certain scenarios can prove more valuable than the additional point of toughness found in other similar cards. This makes it a commendable choice for aggressive white decks aiming to deliver swift damage.

Isamaru, Hound of Konda - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Jungle Lion by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability to apply early pressure can lead to a tangible card advantage as your opponent is often required to dedicate multiple resources to deal with a single Jungle Lion.

Resource Acceleration: With a low mana cost and a swift attacking capability, Jungle Lion enables you to accelerate your battle plan by committing minimal resources while controlling the pace of the game.

Instant Speed: Although Jungle Lion itself is not an instant, its simple mechanics mean your mana can remain untapped for instant-speed responses and plays, maintaining the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Jungle Lion doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, one might need to consider this aspect when balancing the overall deck composition. Including cards with beneficial abilities that demand a discard can inadvertently compete with the need to deploy creatures like Jungle Lion effectively on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Jungle Lion requires green mana, which could limit flexibility for those seeking to integrate it into multicolored decks. The singular green mana cost necessitates a commitment to green mana sources, potentially influencing your deck’s mana base and casting options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Jungle Lion’s mana cost is not excessively high, it does come into play for a single green mana. This cost is reasonable for a 2/1 creature; however, in an environment teeming with low-cost creatures, a case might be made for alternatives that offer additional abilities or that fit into wider strategies for the same or less mana investment.

Reasons to Include Jungle Lion Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Jungle Lion is a classic creature card that can adapt to various aggressive strategies. Its inability to be blocked except by walls allows it to be a consistent source of early-game damage in creature-focused decks.

Combo Potential: Although not a combo piece in the traditional sense, Jungle Lion’s swift attacks can complement strategies that benefit from dealing quick damage or using cards that trigger on combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors fast-paced play, Jungle Lion stands out as a formidable one-drop creature. Its presence on the board from the early turns can pressurize opponents and shape the pace of the game, making it a relevant pick in metagames that lean towards aggressive tactics.

How to beat

Jungle Lion, a card from the classic Magic: The Gathering sets, has a unique set of strengths and limitations. As a 2/1 creature for a single green mana, its strength lies in its early-game presence, offering players a swift and aggressive start. The card, with its characteristic ‘cannot be blocked except by walls’, allows it to evade many early blockers and deliver consistent damage.

To effectively counter Jungle Lion, players should focus on removal or prevention strategies. Utilizing spells that can deal damage without requiring a block, like ‘Shock’ or ‘Lightning Bolt’, can remove the Jungle Lion before it can be a significant threat. Moreover, since the card cannot block enemy creatures, strategies that utilize a wide array of creatures can overrun a Jungle Lion, bypassing its offensive capabilities and pressing an advantage on the battlefield.

Overall, having efficient removal or simply playing a diverse range of creatures, especially those with reach or any form of ‘can block creatures as though they had flying,’ can neutralize the advantages posed by Jungle Lion, allowing you to maintain control and ultimately secure victory in your MTG match.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Jungle Lion MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Masters Edition III, 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 Jungle Lion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Jungle Lion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2010-11-08. Illustrated by Janine Johnston.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1997-05-01	Portal	POR	171	1997	Normal	Black	Janine Johnston
2	2009-09-07	Masters Edition III	ME3	125	1997	Normal	Black	Janine Johnston
3	2010-11-08	Magic Online Theme Decks	TD0	A76	1997	Normal	Black	Janine Johnston

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Jungle Lion has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal