Maalfeld Twins MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 112
2020-11-20 - Number 132
2022-10-14 - Number 56
2022-12-02 - Number 438
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Maalfeld Twins dies, put two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield.
"Who am I to break up a family?" —Gisa the Mad
Cards like Maalfeld Twins
The Maalfeld Twins card offers a distinctive approach to creature presence in the world of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other graveyard-centric entities. The Twins share an affinity with the card Sengir Autocrat insofar as providing a body that replaces itself with tokens upon death. Nevertheless, Maalfeld Twins elevates this mechanic by introducing zombies, a tribe with vast synergies across Magic’s extensive lore.
When drawing parallels, we observe the Grave Titan, another card that proves formidable with its zombie-creating ability. Though Grave Titan is more demanding in mana cost, its immediate impact generating zombie tokens when it enters the battlefield and whenever it attacks can quickly overwhelm opponents. Meanwhile, the Twins only generate tokens after being dealt with, hence their utility kicks in slightly later.
Another akin option is Ghoulcaller Gisa, who forges a strategy around sacrificing creatures to amass an army of zombies. Both Maalfeld Twins and Ghoulcaller Gisa can potentially populate the board, but they require different setups to optimize their effects. Ghoulcaller Gisa demands an active strategy of sacrificing, while Maalfeld Twins offers a passive, yet resilient presence.
Analyzing both the advantages and the strategic implementations of these cards, Maalfeld Twins establishes its place amongst zombie-themed cards, delivering both a tactical and resilient option for players fond of the undead tribe.
Cards similar to Maalfeld Twins by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Maalfeld Twins card comes with a unique upside by creating not one, but two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens when it’s put into a graveyard from your library. This creates immediate on-board presence, potentially doubling your chances to sway the game’s momentum in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: When leveraging decks focused on self-mill or reanimator strategies, the Twins act as a catalyst, speeding up your graveyard-filling process, which is pivotal for enabling bigger plays sooner. It’s a great synergy piece that works well to give you an edge in resource accumulation.
Instant Speed: Although the Twins itself isn’t an instant, they pair remarkably well with instant-speed graveyard fillers or sacrifice outlets. This allows you to be reactive to the board state, potentially outmaneuvering your opponents by making decisive plays at the right moment, using the graveyard as a resource.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing the Maalfeld Twins often entails a mandatory discard of another card, posing a predicament when your hand size is dwindling and each card holds crucial strategic value.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning the Maalfeld Twins requires a precise combination of mana colors, predominantly black, which might not seamlessly fit into every deck archetype, particularly ones that favor a more varied mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that leans towards the higher end, the Maalfeld Twins compete with other impactful cards in the same slot. Players might find it challenging to justify their inclusion when other, lower cost creatures or spells could offer similar or better board presence and versatility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Maalfeld Twins offers a flexible approach to deck building. As a creature card that brings more creatures upon its demise, it fits well in strategies focused on sacrifice effects for value and reanimator themes ready to capitalize on the graveyard.
Combo Potential: The death-triggered ability of creating two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens can be exploited in various combos. It pairs exceptionally well with cards that benefit from creatures dying or zombie tribal synergies further boosting its potential impact on the board.
Meta-Relevance: As the landscape of the game evolves, the Twins’ ability to provide a board presence even after removal makes it a resilient choice against decks heavy on single-target removal spells. Having creatures in play post-removal aligns well with many current strategies, making it a pragmatic pick for decks seeking consistency in the face of adversity.
How to beat
The Maalfeld Twins card introduces an interesting dynamic to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. When facing this elusive creature, players must strategize carefully, considering its death-trigger ability that creates two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens. To effectively overcome this advantage, one must consider preemptive control measures.
Removal spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or Ashes to Ashes, bypass the Twins’ ability by not allowing them to hit the graveyard, thus preventing token generation. Counterspells remain a player’s best friend, with options like Counterspell or Dissolve to negate the card from resolving. Board wipes that exile, like Merciless Eviction, can clean the slate without leaving traces for token creation.
Winning against Maalfeld Twins also involves managing the aftermath—those Zombie tokens. Cards that alter creature types, like Amoeboid Changeling, can strip away the Zombie classification, rendering the tokens less synergistic within common Zombie tribal strategies. The key lies in timely intervention and a deck tailored to neutralize or diminish the value of one’s opponent’s creatures, both when they arrive and if they bring reinforcements from the grave.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Maalfeld Twins MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Commander Legends, 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 Maalfeld Twins 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
Printings
The Maalfeld Twins Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Mike Sass.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 112 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mike Sass | |
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 132 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Sass | |
| 3 | 2022-10-14 | Game Night: Free-for-All | GN3 | 56 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Sass | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 438 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Sass |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Maalfeld Twins has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |