Lockjaw Snapper MTG Card

Lockjaw Snapper offers card advantage by reusing other artifact’s abilities each turn. Its instant speed activation enhances strategic flexibility and unpredictability in games. The card’s versatility and combo potential make it a unique piece in MTG collections.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact Creature — Scarecrow
Abilities	Wither
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	255
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daren Bader

Text of card

Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) When Lockjaw Snapper is put into a graveyard from play, put a -1/-1 counter on each creature with a -1/-1 counter on it.

Cards like Lockjaw Snapper

Lockjaw Snapper enters the Magic: The Gathering scene as a unique Artifact Creature, reminiscent of various counterparts within the MTG universe. Notably, its comparison with Steel Wall is immediate, as both offer the solidity of a defense-oriented artifact creature. Yet, Lockjaw Snapper offers an intriguing twist; it activates its effect upon destruction, perhaps creating a deterrent for opponents considering whether to remove it.

Guard Gomazoa presents another close comparison in terms of its defensive role, serving as a formidable blocker due to its jellyfish-like evasion. Nonetheless, it doesn’t provide the board impact Lockjaw Snapper might upon leaving the field. Additionally, we find Wall of Tanglecord, sharing the common ground of being a robust artifact defender. While this wall claims an affinity for blocking due to its reach, it lacks the additional reactive ability that Lockjaw Snapper brings to the table.

Ultimately, Lockjaw Snapper carves out its niche among MTG’s defensive artifacts. Its presence on the battlefield is more than just a barrier; it can be a strategy-shaping element that opponents must plan around, distinguishing it from other similar cards that focus solely on defense.

Cards similar to Lockjaw Snapper by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The distinct ability of Lockjaw Snapper to untap another artifact you control can create repeated use of artifact abilities, leading to sustained card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a ramp tool, Lockjaw Snapper can synergistically work with artifacts that tap for mana, indirectly providing a form of resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: With its activated ability that works at instant speed, Lockjaw Snapper offers flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats or opportunities swiftly and unexpectedly during your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Lockjaw Snapper requires a card to be discarded when certain conditions are met, which can hinder your game plan if you’re already managing a strained hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Lockjaw Snapper demands a particular mana arrangement for its activation cost, potentially restricting its integration into multi-colored decks that may struggle to consistently generate the correct mana combination.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost for Lockjaw Snapper sits on the higher end for its effect and stats, making it less appealing compared to other creatures or spells that could be more impactful for the same, or lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lockjaw Snapper can be a unique addition to decks that can manipulate +1/+1 counters or benefit from its untap ability, adapting to various play styles and strategies.

Combo Potential: This card has the potential to become a combo enabler in decks that capitalize on tap and untap mechanics, offering creative ways to surprise your opponents.

Meta-Relevance: With ever-shifting deck archetypes, Lockjaw Snapper’s ability to disrupt the opponent’s tempo makes it a noteworthy sideboard candidate against decks heavily reliant on activated abilities.

How to Beat Lockjaw Snapper

The Lockjaw Snapper card might initially come across as a tough nut to crack in the strategic landscape of MTG. Its formidable untap ability provides a challenge to players attempting to keep their strategies afloat while planning around its potential activation. To effectively combat this artifact creature, one can employ various tactics that disturb the untap mechanic or render it irrelevant.

One approach is to leverage cards that prevent abilities from triggering. Cards like Pithing Needle can effectively shut down the Snapper’s untap feature, sidestepping the issue entirely. Another strategy is removal. Since Lockjaw Snapper requires a certain board state to untap, clearing the battlefield of creatures – especially those with power 4 or greater – ensures that it remains a static defender. Spot removal spells or those that alter power and toughness, like Humble or Sudden Spoiling, also offer a means to control Lockjaw Snapper’s presence on the board.

Ultimately, mastering the timing and sequence of your plays, with an understanding of your opponent’s movements, can mitigate the challenges posed by Lockjaw Snapper. While it may seem daunting, appropriate deck tech and a keen sense of game dynamics can overcome this artifact creature’s capabilities, reinforcing your position in the game of MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lockjaw Snapper MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Lockjaw Snapper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lockjaw Snapper has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-05-01	Each of those creatures will get just one new -1/-1 counter, regardless of how many it already has.