Lurking Chupacabra MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast Horror |
| Abilities | Explore |
| Released | 2017-09-29 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ixalan |
| Set code | XLN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 111 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | YW Tang |
Text of card
Whenever a creature you control explores, target creature an opponent controls gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
"Shadow birthed it. The moon gave it eyes, and the jungle gave it teeth. But it was Death that taught it cruelty." —Huatli
Cards like Lurking Chupacabra
Lurking Chupacabra shines in Magic: The Gathering as a unique creature with a powerful trigger. When compared to Ravenous Chupacabra, Lurking Chupacabra does not offer the immediate creature removal upon entering the battlefield. Instead, its strength lies in its repeatability, offering potential creature destruction every time a creature you control explores. It’s a card that rewards a specific deck-building strategy around the explore mechanic.
Murderous Rider stands as another comparison point with its Swift End ability allowing for instant-speed creature or planeswalker removal, whereas Lurking Chupacabra requires setup to achieve a similar effect. Both cards provide utility beyond removal; Murderous Rider can become a creature with lifelink, and Lurking Chupacabra serves as a constant threat in an explore-focused deck.
Looking through the lens of versatility and impact, Lurking Chupacabra may find its niche in dedicated explore decks, making it a card that can influence the board state repeatedly, assuming you can consistently trigger its ability.
Cards similar to Lurking Chupacabra by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lurking Chupacabra can be a source of repeated creature removal as long as you can consistently explore, eliminating opponents’ threats while you maintain your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, it synergizes well with creature decks that focus on exploration to potentially thin out your deck, allowing you to access your resources more consistently.
Instant Speed: Even though Lurking Chupacabra operates at sorcery speed, its ability triggers whenever a creature you control explores, offering instant-speed-like interaction during your turn by providing the potential for immediate board impact as you play creatures or effects that explore.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The effectiveness of Lurking Chupacabra hinges on another mechanic called explore which triggers its ability. Without creatures that explore in your deck, it may become a dead card, unable to utilize its potential fully.
Specific Mana Cost: Lurking Chupacabra requires one black mana and three other mana to play. Decks not running black mana or those that struggle to reach four mana quickly may find it challenging to integrate and play this card on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Four mana for a 2/3 creature isn’t always cost-effective, especially when compared to other creatures in that cost range that might offer immediate impact or larger stat lines upon entering the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Lurking Chupacabra in Your Collection
Versatility: Lurking Chupacabra offers flexible play options, seamlessly fitting into decks that revolve around the explore mechanic. Its ability to repeatedly destroy creatures can be useful in a wide range of game situations.
Combo Potential: This creature pairs exceptionally well with cards that allow for multiple explore actions, enabling you to consistently clear your opponent’s board while strengthening your own field presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that’s rich with creature-based decks, the Lurking Chupacabra can become a recurring threat to opponents, potentially shifting the tempo of the game in your favor with each creature it takes down.
How to Beat Lurking Chupacabra
Lurking Chupacabra in Magic: The Gathering serves as a stealthy predator waiting for its moment to strike. This card can be a game-changer in any match where creatures entering the battlefield are a frequent occurrence. What sets this sneaky beast apart is its ability to dispatch creatures with ease given the right conditions — specifically, the presence of other creatures with explore mechanic.
To best this nocturnal menace, it is vital to limit the number of creatures you control that explore or to have instant speed removals at hand to deal with the Chupacabra before its ability triggers. Another effective strategy is to utilize cards that grant hexproof or indestructible to your critical creatures to protect them from being targeted. Cards that counter abilities can also nip the problem in the bud by stopping the Chupacabra’s triggered ability from resolving. Lastly, adding more board wipes to your deck can help reset the playing field and remove Lurking Chupacabra before it can take control of the game.
In summation, Lurking Chupacabra requires timely answers or a strategic build-up of a protective shell around your key creatures to mitigate its impact in MTG. Keeping these strategies in your arsenal will help ensure that the sinister presence of Lurking Chupacabra doesn’t dominate the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lurking Chupacabra MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Lurking Chupacabra 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lurking Chupacabra has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| 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 Lurking Chupacabra card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | If a resolving spell or ability instructs a specific creature to explore but that creature has left the battlefield, the creature still explores. Effects that trigger when a creature you control explores, such as that of Lurking Chupacabra, trigger if appropriate. |
| 2017-09-29 | You don’t choose a target for Lurking Chupacabra’s ability until after your creature has finished exploring. |