Magmaw MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 158
2015-08-28 - Number 62
2018-12-07 - Number 138
2020-09-26 - Number UMA-138
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
, Sacrifice a nonland permanent: Magmaw deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
"The purpose of existence is simple: everything is fuel for the magmaw." —Jaji, magmaw worshipper
Cards like Magmaw
Magmaw takes its place in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering’s sacrifice outlet creatures. It shares a stage with other formidable cards like Nantuko Husk, which also thrives on sacrificing creatures for benefit. But Magmaw has a unique twist, offering direct damage to any target thereby providing strategic versatility. Nantuko Husk falls short by only boosting itself in terms of power and toughness.
Collaboration with cards such as Goblin Bombardment is common, yet Magmaw demands a different resource — tapping only instead of any mana cost for its activated ability. This can be a significant advantage in gameplay, preserving mana for other moves. In contrast, Goblin Bombardment is free of cost but lacks the repeatable use factor within a single turn. Another peer is the iconic card Bloodthrone Vampire, similar in its sacrifice for power mechanic, but again, Magmaw’s ability to reach out and remove blockers or finish off an opponent is what sets it apart.
In summary, Magmaw’s unique combination of creature sacrifice and direct damage provides a powerful tool for players, positioning it as a stand-out option among its counterparts in Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of cards.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Magmaw offers a strategic edge by converting excess or targeted creatures into direct damage, effectively thinning the battlefield and pressuring opponents.
Resource Acceleration: While not a traditional ramp card, Magmaw’s ability to capitalize on summoning small creatures quickly turns them into repeatable damage resources, accelerating your offensive capabilities.
Instant Speed: Magmaw’s activation is at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves, optimize your turns, and maintain momentum by utilizing creatures both offensively and as ammunition for its ability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Magmaw’s ability can be quite mana-intensive, demanding a sacrifice of another non-token creature to trigger its damage output. This requirement can deplete your pool of creatures rapidly, especially in decks not designed around extensive token generation or creature recursion.
Specific Mana Cost: While its initial casting cost isn’t overly restrictive, requiring two colorless and one red mana, Magmaw’s activation cost is another matter. Each activation requires one colorless mana, and if you aim to use its ability multiple times in a turn, it can strain your mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five total mana needed to play Magmaw might be steep considering its initial impact on the board is limited. Cards in the same mana range often provide more immediate or powerful effects. Magmaw’s reliance on other cards to become truly effective makes it a less attractive option in comparison to other cards that function independently at this cost.
Reasons to Include Magmaw in Your Collection
Versatility: Magmaw serves as a flexible option in decks that thrive on sacrificing creatures or artifacts for effect. Its ability to convert nonessential board presence into direct damage allows for strategic play across multiple archetypes.
Combo Potential: This creature excels in combos, particularly with decks that generate a large number of tokens or recurring creatures. Paired with the right synergies, Magmaw can become an engine for an infinite damage loop or a consistent damage dealer.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where small creature strategies are prevalent, Magmaw provides a valuable outlet to utilize excess tokens or creatures gained from other interactions. Its relevance can shift with the meta, offering a utility role in various deck builds that face token-heavy opponents.
How to beat
Magmaw is an intriguing creature in MTG, renowned for its ability to turn other creatures or artifacts into direct damage against opponents. Its strength lies in its capacity to sacrifice a nonland permanent to deal 1 damage to any target. This ability requires a careful strategy, as an untapped Magmaw with enough fuel can lead to a quick defeat.
Defeating Magmaw could involve removal spells that sidestep its activated ability, such as “Path to Exile” or “Doom Blade,” to send it out of play before it becomes a threat. Alternatively, reducing the availability of sacrificial materials by controlling the board and limiting the permanents your opponent has can curb Magmaw’s destructive potential. Cards like “Rest in Peace” or “Grafdigger’s Cage” can also help to control opponents’ graveyard strategies, reducing their resources further.
Understanding and anticipating the sacrifice mechanic ensures proper defense against a Magmaw-based strategy. Combining removal with resource denial can dismantle the synergy and keep Magmaw from becoming a consistent source of damage. In MTG, as in all strategy games, foresight and preparation can effectively neutralize even the most potent threats like Magmaw.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Magmaw MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi, 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 Magmaw 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 Magmaw Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 158 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2015-08-28 | Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi | DDP | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 3 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | UMA-138 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Magmaw has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magmaw card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-12-07 | You can sacrifice Magmaw to pay the cost for its own ability. It still deals 1 damage to the target. |