Lithatog MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Atog |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 289 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Franz Vohwinkel |
Text of card
Sacrifice an artifact: Lithatog gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Sacrifice a land: Lithatog gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Cards like Lithatog
Lithatog stands out in the sphere of sacrificial creatures in MTG. It shares traits with its ‘atog’ brethren, such as Auratog, which gains power by sacrificing enchantments. Lithatog also fluctuates in power and toughness but by sacrificing lands or artifacts instead, diversifying your strategic options. Unlike Auratog, which focuses solely on enchantments, Lithatog’s versatility allows for adaptation to varied game situations, whether you’re flush with lands or artifacts.
Another relative in this comparison is Psychatog, a card that thrives on a different axis of sacrifice – discarding cards from your hand or graveyard to bulk up. While Lithatog can provide immediate board presence enhancement by leveraging on-board assets, Psychatog tends to be a game-ender, growing mightier as the game progresses and the graveyard fills up.
From a broader perspective, examining these creatures underlines Lithatog’s unique positioning within MTG. It’s an adaptable force capable of capitalizing on a resource-rich board state, and when played skillfully, it can serve as a formidable threat or a surprise blocker capable of turning the tide of battle.
Cards similar to Lithatog by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lithatog offers a unique benefit in this regard, as it can allow you to cycle through your graveyard, selectively removing lands or artifacts you no longer need while potentially growing stronger with each sacrifice.
Resource Acceleration: By sacrificing an artifact, you’re essentially transforming a static resource into an immediate benefit. This could either fuel Lithatog’s power boost or simply serve as a way to make impactful plays by adjusting your resources on the fly.
Instant Speed: Although Lithatog itself is not an instant, its sacrifice abilities can be activated at instant speed. This flexibility gives you the upper hand in responding to opponents’ actions, making it easier to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the game while conserving your other instant-speed spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The ability of Lithatog to sacrifice an artifact requires parting with potentially valuable resources, narrowing strategic options when the hand or field is running thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Despite its flexibility, the cost to cast Lithatog includes both green and red mana, making it less versatile for decks that run on a broader color scheme or are color-restricted.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other cards in the format offering similar benefits at lower costs, Lithatog’s three mana investment might be better allocated elsewhere, especially in fast-paced games where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lithatog has the ability to adjust to various deck strategies, granting players the flexibility to sacrifice artifacts or lands to either pump up its power or provide crucial graveyard synergy.
Combo Potential: In a deck where resources can be recycled or where sacrificing cards serves a strategic purpose, Lithatog can be a useful engine to power up those synergies, making it a key piece in intricate play combinations.
Meta-Relevance: Given that certain metagames value graveyard interactions or the destruction of one’s own permanents for gain, Lithatog can become an unsuspecting threat, particularly in formats that reward resourceful playstyles.
How to Beat Lithatog
Lithatog, a lesser-known creature from the Odyssey set, can be a thorn in the side of any MTG player when used strategically. Noted for its ability to sacrifice artifacts or lands to gain power and toughness or graveyard recursion, defeating a Lithatog requires an understanding of resource management in the game. When facing a deck with Lithatog, it’s crucial to evaluate the sacrifice strategy of your opponent and disrupt their board state.
One effective method to counter Lithatog is by limiting the raw materials it depends upon. Utilizing land destruction or artifact removal spells can significantly reduce the potency of Lithatog’s abilities. Graveyard removal cards like Scavenging Ooze or Relic of Progenitus help prevent the value that Lithatog could generate from the graveyard. Additionally, instant-speed removal can catch an opponent off-guard when they’re banking on sacking lands or artifacts for a big play. Keeping up removal in your hand, instead of playing it early, ensures you’re ready when Lithatog becomes a threat.
Overall, maintaining pressure and forcing the Lithatog player to use their resources inefficiently is key to victory. Once their sources of sacrifice are depleted, and their game plan disrupted, the path to defeating the Lithatog and its controlling deck becomes clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lithatog MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Lithatog 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 Lithatog has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |