Leonin Iconoclast MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Cat Monk |
| Abilities | Heroic |
| Released | 2014-05-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Journey into Nyx |
| Set code | JOU |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 16 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Steve Prescott |
Text of card
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Leonin Iconoclast, destroy target enchantment creature an opponent controls.
"The stars belong in the night sky. This is our world, and we are our own masters."
Cards like Leonin Iconoclast
The card Leonin Iconoclast finds its niche among creature spells with unique abilities in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarity to cards like Banisher Priest, which also offer creature removal bundled within a creature body. The edge for Leonin Iconoclast, however, lies in its ability to produce a token that can target artifacts and enchantments when it enters the battlefield, offering contraption control that Banisher Priest does not provide.
Concerning versatility, cards such as Reclamation Sage come to mind. This card also deals with artifacts and enchantments, but it does so directly when it hits the field, without the need for a token. While it does provide immediate results, Leonin Iconoclast gives players a recurring effect, assuming they have a steady stream of enchantments to fuel its ability for continued board control.
Taking into account the aspects of flexibility and potential for ongoing supremacy over opposing noncreature permanents, Leonin Iconoclast can be seen as a valuable asset in decks that harness enchantments. Its comparability with existing cards emphasizes its use in strategies centered around permanent control with the added boon of leaving behind a creature on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Leonin Iconoclast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Leonin Iconoclast provides players with the ability to dominate the battlefield by potentially generating multiple creature tokens. Each token represents an additional card’s worth of value, efficiently building up your board presence and overwhelming your opponent with sheer numbers.
Resource Acceleration: In the right deck, the Leonin Iconoclast synergizes with other cards that reward you for controlling a large number of creatures or artifacts. This can lead to explosive turns where you rapidly deploy more threats or leverage the tokens for mana generation, propelling you ahead of your competition.
Instant Speed: The versatility of this card’s ability triggers off casting noncreature spells means you can be strategic in your gameplay. Cast spells on your turn for aggressive tactics or wait until your opponent’s end step for a more reactive approach, keeping your options open while steadily strengthening your position on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Leonin Iconoclast requires you to discard another card to trigger its ability. This can be a significant drawback when you’re struggling to maintain hand advantage or when every card in your hand is valuable for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana types to cast, including white mana. For players not running a deck with a white mana base, this could pose a challenge, potentially making the Leonin Iconoclast a dead draw in multicolored decks not geared towards white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost, the Leonin Iconoclast falls into a higher tier on the mana curve. As such, it competes for a slot with other impactful four-mana spells which could potentially offer immediate board presence or more versatile answers to opponents’ threats.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Leonin Iconoclast can easily be slotted into various deck archetypes, serving well in both aggressive and control strategies. Its creature type makes it a solid choice for tribal synergies, particularly in a deck centered around Cats or Warriors.
Combo Potential: This card has the ability to synergize with equipment and aura spells, potentially unlocking powerful interactions. By equipping or enchanting it, you can augment its impact on the battlefield and create advantageous scenarios for you during gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right circumstances, Leonin Iconoclast can become a valuable asset against creature-heavy decks, as its power can be increased to manage larger threats. In a meta where creature combat is prevalent, having an adaptable creature like this can be a significant advantage.
How to beat
Leonin Iconoclast presents an intriguing challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering, offering both creature destruction and token generation. This card demands a strategic approach for those seeking to neutralize its potential. Engaging it head-on in combat may not always be the best move, as its token generation ability can rapidly escalate the board state in favor of your opponent.
Addressing Leonin Iconoclast effectively involves utilizing instant speed removal to prevent token accumulation. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are solid choices for swiftly dealing with this creature before it becomes a larger issue. Additionally, evasive creatures can bypass the Leonin Iconoclast altogether, maintaining pressure without triggering its ability. Ensuring your removal spells can deal with both the Iconoclast and the tokens it generates will keep your opponent’s board under control, dimming the strength of their offense and defense.
Overall, swift removal and evasion are key techniques when facing Leonin Iconoclast. Keep these strategies in mind to stifle your opponent’s plans and maintain the upper hand in your Magic: The Gathering duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Leonin Iconoclast MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Leonin Iconoclast 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Leonin Iconoclast has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Leonin Iconoclast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-04-26 | Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger. |
| 2014-04-26 | Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times. |
| 2014-04-26 | Heroic abilities won't trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell's targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability. |