Malakir Familiar MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 116
2020-07-17 - Number 253
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bat |
| Abilities | Deathtouch,Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying, deathtouch Whenever you gain life, Malakir Familiar gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
"They are deadly, and they are loyal. We can spare them a little blood." —Harak, Malakir bloodwitch
Cards like Malakir Familiar
Malakir Familiar holds its ground as an intriguing creature card in MTG, bearing a resemblance to other aerial threats with benefits for casting spells. A close comparison that comes to mind is Blood Scrivener. Like Malakir Familiar, it offers a reward when a player’s hand is empty, granting an additional card rather than boosting power and toughness.
Another kin in spirit is Hovermyr, which comes with similar mana cost and the valuable flying ability. Although Hovermyr lacks any on-cast effects, it comes with vigilance, ensuring it’s ready for defense after attacking. Unlike Malakir Familiar, it doesn’t get stronger when the player casts spells, which is a notable difference for players who favor aggressive and synergistic playstyles.
All in all, while these creatures dabble in the same zone of cheap, efficient flyers, Malakir Familiar shines in decks that aim to cast many spells, leveraging its ability to become a lethal threat swiftly. Its unique offering in the balance of cost, utility, and scalability sets it apart in the vast roster of MTG creatures.
Cards similar to Malakir Familiar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Malakir Familiar offers more than just its presence on the battlefield. When its condition is met, it treats you to an additional card, bolstering your hand and adding pressure on your opponent by potentially giving you more options and responses.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly increase your mana resources but can have an indirect effect. By ensuring an extra card when its triggered ability activates, you’re more likely to draw into further resource acceleration spells or lands, thus setting up your plays more quickly and efficiently.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate at instant speed provides a tactical advantage, allowing for surprises and instantaneous reactions to your opponent’s moves. It enhances strategic depth, enabling you to adapt to the shifting game state without missing a beat and take advantage of opportunities the moment they arise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Malakir Familiar requires players to discard a card, which could be particularly detrimental during the late game or when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Decks must have access to both black mana sources to utilize Malakir Familiar, potentially restricting its integration outside of mono-black or black-inclusive multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its abilities, the mana investment for Malakir Familiar is sizeable. Players may find other creatures or spells that offer a better rate of return on this mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Malakir Familiar in Your Collection
Versatility: Malakir Familiar brings a unique blend of abilities to the table that can seamlessly slot into various deck archetypes. Its flying trait makes it a consistent threat in the air, and the lifelink provides a subtle but steady source of life gain which can be pivotal in close matches.
Combo Potential: Given that Malakir Familiar gets stronger whenever you gain life, it synergizes effectively with decks focused on life gain strategies. This can lead to explosive turns where the Familiar suddenly becomes a formidable threat that can swing games in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where small creatures are prominent and the game often pivots on incremental advantages, the Familiar’s abilities make it a card that can easily turn the tides. It holds its ground as a resilient combatant that works well in the current competitive scene.
How to beat
Malakir Familiar is known in the MTG arena for its ability to boost itself in conjunction with life gain. However, despite its capabilities, there are strategies to overcome this menacing bat. Employing removal spells such as Murder or Fatal Push can quickly take the Familiar out of play before it becomes a substantial threat. These spells are both cost-effective and widely accessible across various deck types.
Additionally, counteracting life gain can be a critical strategy. Utilizing cards that inhibit life gain, such as Tainted Remedy, can nullify the Familiar’s ability to grow stronger. Implementing graveyard management to prevent the Familiar from returning to the battlefield through effects like reanimation is another sound tactic. Cards like Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze offer ways to keep the graveyards clear, ensuring that Malakir Familiar won’t return once dealt with.
Effective sideboarding is also key. Bringing in these answers after game one can prepare you for the bat’s presence in subsequent matches. These strategies together can give you the upper hand against Malakir Familiar, preserving your life total and maintaining board control in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Malakir Familiar MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Jumpstart, 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 Malakir Familiar 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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Printings
The Malakir Familiar Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Alejandro Mirabal.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 116 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alejandro Mirabal | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 253 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alejandro Mirabal |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Malakir Familiar 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Malakir Familiar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | A creature with lifelink dealing combat damage is a single life-gaining event. For example, if two creatures you control with lifelink deal combat damage at the same time, the ability will trigger twice. However, if a single creature with lifelink deals combat damage to multiple creatures, players, and/or planeswalkers at the same time (perhaps because it has trample or was blocked by more than one creature), the ability will trigger only once. |
| 2015-08-25 | In a Two-Headed Giant game, life gained by your teammate won’t cause the ability to trigger, even though it causes your team’s life total to increase. |
| 2015-08-25 | The ability triggers just once for each life-gaining event, whether it’s 1 life from Drana’s Emissary or 7 life from Nissa’s Renewal. |