Labyrinth Raptor MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Nightmare Dinosaur |
Abilities | Menace |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Menace Whenever a creature you control with menace becomes blocked, defending player sacrifices a creature blocking it. : Creatures you control with menace get +1/+0 until end of turn.
Cards like Labyrinth Raptor
Labyrinth Raptor breathes new life into the menace archetype within Magic: The Gathering. The dynamic creature shares some similarities with cards like Sonorous Howlbonder, which also enhances the impact of menacing creatures. What sets Labyrinth Raptor apart is its ability to capitalize on the menace trait by offering a power boost and dealing damage to a player’s opponent each time they block.
Stormfist Crusader is another card that can be compared. While the Crusader doesn’t interact directly with menace, it provides both a card advantage and chip damage to each player, serving as an engine in a menace-focused deck. Meanwhile, Labyrinth Raptor stands as a more combat-centric option, presenting a direct and immediate threat. Furthermore, the Raptor demands careful consideration from the opponent before declaring blockers, making it a strategic asset in battle.
In essence, while evaluating the synergy and potential impact of menace-support cards, Labyrinth Raptor emerges as a particularly potent choice for players looking to exert pressure and control over combat interactions, demonstrating its unique role in MTG creature dynamics.
Cards similar to Labyrinth Raptor by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Labyrinth Raptor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rakdos Scam | Modern | Rakdos Scam | Modern Challenge 96 2024-02-03 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Labyrinth Raptor shines in decks focused on Menace, encouraging opponents to dedicate more blockers and potentially leading to favorable trades. This can result in a subtle form of card advantage, as your threats require more resources from the opponent to be dealt with effectively.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of ramp, Labyrinth Raptor’s low mana cost at just two allows for fast deployment. This enables quick pressure on your opponent, potentially accelerating the game’s pace in your favor by demanding immediate answers.
Instant Speed: The ability to engage its +1/+0 pump ability at instant speed provides flexibility, giving you the capacity to boost its power during combat on either player’s turn. This instantaneous interaction can lead to advantageous combat results, catching opponents off guard and optimizing your tactical plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with Labyrinth Raptor’s abilities may necessitate a discard, presenting a potential setback when your hand size is diminished.
Specific Mana Cost: The Raptor’s casting cost demands both black and red mana, which can restrict deck-building options to a Rakdos archetype or a deck with a reliable mana base for multiple colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two specific color mana value for a 2/2, Labyrinth Raptor competes with other cards at similar costs that could provide broader impact or immediate value on the board state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Labyrinth Raptor shines in decks that capitalize on the menace mechanic, offering a threat that can be challenging for opponents to block effectively. Its ability to boost other menacing creatures makes it a flexible choice for aggro and midrange decks alike.
Combo Potential: This creature synergizes well with menace-focused strategies, turning any creature with menace into a must-answer threat. It has the potential to create powerful interactions, especially when combined with cards that grant menace to others or benefit from creatures not being blocked.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are plentiful, Labyrinth Raptor holds its ground. Its relevance in the meta can fluctuate, but when positioned well, it can give decks an edge against opponents, particularly in games that drag into the mid-game where its power to scale with other creatures can turn the tide.
How to beat
Labyrinth Raptor demands attention in any game of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a card that synergizes well with menace, a mechanic that makes creatures difficult to block. The raptor not only enhances menace creatures but also carries the potential to grow stronger over time. However, this strength can be mitigated with the right strategy.
To effectively neutralize Labyrinth Raptor, consider using removal spells that can take it out before the menace synergy takes effect. Options like Heartless Act or Mythos of Nethroi provide clean solutions, bypassing the need to engage in combat with its boosted creatures. Similarly, employing creatures with high toughness can stymie the benefits Labyrinth Raptor provides to those with menace, reducing the impact of its ability to make creatures harder to block.
Strategy is key when facing cards like Labyrinth Raptor. Being proactive with removal or setting up strong defensive lines can ensure that the raptor’s influence is kept at bay, allowing you to maintain control of the game. By understanding its mechanics and preparing accordingly, you can mitigate the threat posed by Labyrinth Raptor and maintain an upper hand in your MTG matches.
BurnMana Recommendations
For those delving into MTG’s ever-changing battlegrounds, Labyrinth Raptor emerges as a distinct asset for menace-oriented strategies. Its ability to swiftly influence the board at a low mana cost, alongside its potential for instant-speed interaction, makes it a card worth considering for your arsenal. Effective use of this card could amplify your combat proficiency, particularly when timed well with other menace-supporting cards. With careful incorporation into your deck, Labyrinth Raptor may not just enhance your gameplay—it could significantly shift combat dynamics in your favor. Explore more tactics and optimize your deck’s performance by delving deeper into our insights. Learn how to make Labyrinth Raptor a critical component of your match-winning strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Labyrinth Raptor MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos, 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 Labyrinth Raptor 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
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Printings
The Labyrinth Raptor Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by Daarken.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 80817 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | ||
2 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 193s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
3 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 193p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
4 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 339 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
5 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 193 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Labyrinth Raptor has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Labyrinth Raptor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2020-04-17 | If a creature is attacking a planeswalker, the planeswalker’s controller is the defending player. |
2020-04-17 | Labyrinth Raptor’s second and third abilities apply to itself as long as it still has menace. |
2020-04-17 | The defending player sacrifices a blocking creature before combat damage is dealt. This may cause a single creature to be blocking the creature with menace; the blocking creature remains blocking. It will still deal and be dealt combat damage as normal. |