Lesser Masticore MTG Card

An early game artifact creature, Lesser Masticore offers consistent hand filtration and board presence strategies. Its instant-speed damage ability improves combat tactics, posing a threat to smaller creatures in MTG match-ups. Although mana-efficient, the required card discard for activation could prove costly without a supportive deck structure.

Lesser Masticore - Modern Horizons (MH1)

Modern Horizons (MH1)
2019-06-14 - Number 225

Lesser Masticore // Lesser Masticore - Modern Horizons Art Series (AMH1)

Modern Horizons Art Series (AMH1)
2019-06-05 - Number 39

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Masticore
Abilities	Persist
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

As an additional cost to cast this spell, discard a card. : Lesser Masticore deals 1 damage to target creature. Persist (When this creature dies, if it had no -1/-1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a -1/-1 counter on it.)

Cards like Lesser Masticore

Lesser Masticore offers a unique angle in the realm of artifact creatures in MTG. It draws parallels to the original Masticore, as both have the ability to deal damage to target creature or player at the cost of discarding a card. However, the lesser variant stands out due to its ‘persist’ keyword, which gives it a second lease on life when it dies. Unlike its predecessor, Lesser Masticore is also more accessible mana-wise, costing a single generic mana – a trait that could be pivotal in the early stages of the game.

Another card worth mentioning in the same conversation is Perilous Myr, an artifact creature with a death-triggered ability that deals damage to any target. Perilous Myr shares the same mana cost but lacks the ‘persist’ mechanic, making it a one-off threat. In contrast, Walking Ballista can be a more flexible tool, offering an adjustable entry cost and the ability to remove counters for direct damage, a feature Lesser Masticore doesn’t possess.

Considering these comparisons, Lesser Masticore excels in its resilience and steady damage output, ensuring a sustained presence on the battlefield that can shape the flow of the game, particularly for decks that capitalize on artifacts or graveyard strategies.

Cards similar to Lesser Masticore by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Even though Lesser Masticore doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to discard and then draw enables selective filtration of your hand. This can effectively cycle through your deck to find key cards or improve your current hand’s quality.

Resource Acceleration: As a two-mana artifact creature, Lesser Masticore can be an early presence on the board. In decks focused on sacrificing artifacts or creatures, its ability can turn into a form of resource acceleration by synergizing with other cards that profit from such actions.

Instant Speed: Lesser Masticore possesses an ability to deal one damage to a target creature, which can be activated at any time, giving it a tactical edge by threatening smaller creatures. This can be particularly potent during the combat phase or in response to your opponent’s spells or abilities.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must discard a card each time they want to untap Lesser Masticore, which could deplete their hand and limit strategic options, especially if they’re not running a deck designed to capitalize on such mechanics.

Specific Mana Cost: Despite its colorless nature, Lesser Masticore’s mana cost could still be restrictive. In a deck where mana curve and speed are critical, devoting two mana for its capabilities might not always align with the player’s game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although equipped with a persist ability, its initial summoning cost may be considered too steep for a 2/2 creature. Players looking for value might find other creatures or spells that offer more impactful board presence or abilities for the same, or less, investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lesser Masticore is a flexible card that can fit into a variety of decks, particularly those that utilize artifacts or require creature sacrifices. Its ability to deal damage to any target provides a consistent option for control.

Combo Potential: This creature offers substantial synergy with cards that benefit from repeatable discard, self-mill strategies, or unearthing combo pieces from your graveyard. It is often a key part in intricate engine constructions.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-shifting dynamics of the game, Lesser Masticore remains relevant by disrupting opponent’s strategies and as a useful tool against creature-heavy decks. A solid choice that adapts along with the meta.

How to beat

Lesser Masticore presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield. As a persistent artifact creature with the ability to dish out damage each turn, overcoming it requires strategic maneuvering. Unlike its more powerful counterparts in Magic: The Gathering, Lesser Masticore has the drawback of demanding a card discard upon entering the battlefield, making its initial cost a two-fold investment.

This card operates efficiently in decks that capitalize on artifacts or graveyard play. To effectively counter it, removal spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, are excellent options as they prevent it from recurring. Cards that force sacrifice can also circumvent its potential to return, eroding your opponent’s resources while dealing with the threat. Attrition is key: prioritize the preservation of your own resources while depleting theirs.

The strategic approach against Lesser Masticore involves a blend of direct removal and attrition tactics. By leveraging these strategies, you can ensure this pesky artifact creature doesn’t overstay its welcome on the battlefield. In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, adaptability and resourcefulness can turn the tides in your favor against cards like Lesser Masticore.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lesser Masticore // Lesser Masticore MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons Art Series and Modern Horizons, 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 Lesser Masticore // Lesser Masticore and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lesser Masticore // Lesser Masticore Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2019-06-14. Illustrated by Wisnu Tan.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	~~2019-06-05~~	Modern Horizons Art Series	AMH1		39	2015	Art series	Borderless	Wisnu Tan
2	2019-06-14	Modern Horizons	MH1		225	2015	Normal	Black	Wisnu Tan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lesser Masticore has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-06-14	If a card with persist is removed from the graveyard after it dies but before the ability trigger resolves, it won’t be returned to the battlefield.
2019-06-14	If a creature has +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on it, state-based actions remove the same number of each so that it has only one kind of those of counters on it. Lesser Masticore’s persist ability can bring it back again if its -1/-1 counters are removed this way.
2019-06-14	If a creature with persist that has +1/+1 counters on it receives enough -1/-1 counters to cause it to be destroyed by lethal damage or put into its owner’s graveyard for having 0 or less toughness, persist won’t trigger and the card won’t return to the battlefield. That’s because persist checks the creature as it last existed on the battlefield, and it still had -1/-1 counters on it at that point.
2019-06-14	Once persist returns the creature, it’s considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras that were attached to it won’t return to the battlefield. Equipment that was attached to it will remain unattached. Any counters that were on it won’t be put on the new creature.
2019-06-14	You must discard exactly one card to cast Lesser Masticore; you can’t cast it without discarding a card, and you can’t discard additional cards. If Lesser Masticore enters the battlefield without being cast (perhaps because of its persist ability) you don’t discard a card.