Malik, Grim Manipulator MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Rogue |
| Abilities | Treasure |
| Released | 2019-12-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Secret Lair Drop |
| Set code | SLD |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 147 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jake Murray |
Key Takeaways
- Malik enables turning your graveyard into a valuable arsenal for outsmarting opponents.
- Instant speed activations of Malik’s abilities offer tactical flexibility and surprise plays.
- Despite power, Malik’s high mana cost and specific requirements demand careful deck building.
Text of card
When Malik, Grim Manipulator enters the battlefield, you and target opponent each secretly choose a creature that player controls. Then those choices are revealed, and that player sacrifices those creatures. Whenever an opponent sacrifices a creature, you create a Treasure token.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Malik, Grim Manipulator enables you to leverage the cards in your graveyard for value, effectively turning what might be considered a spent resource into new opportunities for influence and control on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable planeswalker can accelerate your resource generation by untapping a permanent, which, in a well-constructed deck, can lead to a significant edge over your opponents by giving you access to more mana or the ability to reuse other key permanents.
Instant Speed: Certain abilities of Malik, Grim Manipulator can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and stealth. This means you can adapt to the evolving game state and surprise your opponents with unexpected plays, making it hard for them to predict and plan against your strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Malik, Grim Manipulator necessitates the discarding of another card to leverage its abilities. This prerequisite can be taxing during matches where your hand needs to remain robust to contend with opponents’ moves.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a particular combination of mana, this card includes both black and blue mana in its cost. This specificity demands a delicate balance in your mana base, potentially complicating your deck’s mana curve and overall strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side, Malik, Grim Manipulator faces competition from other cards that may provide more immediate or cost-effective benefits to your gameplay strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Malik, Grim Manipulator offers a flexible role in various deck archetypes due to his unique ability to control the board. His skills can serve in both aggressive and control strategies, adapting his presence according to the game’s state.
Combo Potential: With his capability to manipulate counters, Malik synergizes well with cards that thrive on counters or proliferate mechanics, setting up potential for explosive turns and unexpected comebacks.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment shifts, Malik remains relevant. His power to alter the tide of a match by strategically removing or reallocating resources can disrupt popular meta decks, keeping your opponents on their toes.
How to beat
Malik, Grim Manipulator emerges as a challenging planeswalker to face on the battlefield. With abilities tied to disrupting your strategy and taking control of your creatures, this MTG card requires a well-thought-out approach to counter. To topple such an adversary, consider ramping up your removal spells, as direct damage or destroy effects can diminish the loyalty counters on Malik, making it harder for your opponent to benefit from his abilities.
Another effective tactic is to focus on hexproof or shroud-equipped creatures, which are immune to Malik’s targeted abilities. Additionally, since Malik thrives on manipulating tapped creatures, it is advisable to opt for creatures with vigilance or strategies that involve minimal tapping of your creatures, effectively negating some of Malik’s control. Lastly, always be ready to adjust your plays; instant-speed spells might be a boon when attempting to disrupt the expected tactics of a Malik, Grim Manipulator deck mid-game.
While facing Malik, remember that a proactive defense is key. By employing a combination of direct confrontation and strategic play, Malik’s influence over the game can be minimized, allowing you to maintain control and eventually claim victory over this formidable foe.
Cards like Malik, Grim Manipulator
Malik, Grim Manipulator is a unique card thriving in the MTG universe with distinct qualities. Its close cousins feature Liliana, the Necromancer for the planeswalker’s ability to create a taxing environment for opponents. Malik also echoes the disruptive essence seen in Nekusar, the Mindrazer, another card with strength in exploiting hand manipulation strategies. However, Malik offers a nuanced gameplay experience with his specific set of skills that may pivot a match’s direction with precision.
Geth, Lord of the Vault stands out as well, renowned for its potency in reanimation strategies and control over opponents’ graveyards. Whereas Geth’s power lies mainly in reanimating and disrupting, Malik introduces an innovative twist on the control archetype. He favors tipping the scales of advantage progressively, with a potent blend of discard strategies and cunning board influence. Although not as direct in reanimation as Geth, Malik’s tactical versatility can’t be overlooked.
As we analyze the comparison, it’s evident that Malik, Grim Manipulator carves out a formidable space alongside these renowned cards in MTG. His ability to dictate the flow of the game while subtly gaining the upper hand makes him an asset in any deck that focuses on a more subtle yet powerful control strategy.
Cards similar to Malik, Grim Manipulator by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Malik, Grim Manipulator MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop, 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 Malik, Grim Manipulator and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Malik, Grim Manipulator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |