Manic Vandal MTG Card
2010-07-16 - Number 151
2011-07-15 - Number 151
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Manic Vandal enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact.
It's fun. He doesn't need another reason.
Cards like Manic Vandal
Manic Vandal holds a niche in MTG as a creature card that serves a dual purpose: a 2/2 body that disrupts opponents by destroying artifacts. This red creature mirrors the functionality of cards like Tin Street Hooligan, which also demolishes an artifact when it enters play. However, Tin Street Hooligan requires green mana to activate its ability, offering a slight variability in gameplay options.
Comparably, Viashino Heretic is another card that deals with artifacts, but with repetitive utility. Unlike Manic Vandal’s one-time use, Viashino Heretic can continually remove artifacts from the game at the cost of mana, making it potent in prolonged games. Additionally, Ingot Chewer comes into play with similar immediate impact. It allows for evasive maneuvers through its evoke ability, giving players the flexibility to destroy artifacts without committing to the board presence of a creature.
Ultimately, each of these cards presents its own advantages within MTG. While Manic Vandal offers a straightforward, single-use artifact removal attached to a creature, other cards like Tin Street Hooligan, Viashino Heretic, and Ingot Chewer provide alternative approaches to managing opponents’ artifacts, thus enriching the strategic depth of red’s disruptive capabilities.
Cards similar to Manic Vandal by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Manic Vandal. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Combo | Vintage | 2023 NA Vintage Champs |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Manic Vandal might not let you draw cards directly, but by destroying an opponent’s artifact, you effectively remove one of their resources. This can tip the scales in your favor, as you set your opponent back while maintaining your own board state.
Resource Acceleration: While Manic Vandal doesn’t accelerate your own resources, it does the opposite for your opponent. By eliminating key artifacts, you can slow down their game plan significantly. This could mean stopping mana artifacts from ramping up their resources and keeping you ahead in the race.
Instant Speed: Although Manic Vandal can’t be played at instant speed, its effect upon entering the battlefield is immediate. As soon as it lands, you can target and break an artifact. This surprise element can be crucial, especially when dealing with artifacts that have the potential to turn the game in your opponent’s favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Manic Vandal doesn’t require a discard upon casting, it’s essential to consider this lack of card draw or discard utility could be seen as a missed opportunity for synergy in some red-centric decks that thrive on these mechanics.
Specific Mana Cost: Manic Vandal’s mana cost includes two generic and one red mana, which might not effortlessly fit into multi-colored or colorless strategies, potentially restricting its inclusion to red-based or red-focused decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a one-time artifact destruction effect, some players may find Manic Vandal’s cost slightly steep, especially when compared to other low-cost artifact removal spells or creatures with recurring artifact destruction abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Manic Vandal finds its place in a variety of red decks that focus on controlling the board by removing key artifacts. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies makes it a flexible addition to sideboards especially in artifact-heavy metas.
Combo Potential: Utilized in conjunction with cards that capitalize on enter the battlefield triggers, Manic Vandal can become part of a potent combo, destroying multiple artifacts in a single turn or even repeatedly with methods to return it to your hand or the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Artifacts sit as a cornerstone in many powerful decks across different formats. Manic Vandal’s targeted destruction is particularly relevant when the meta is saturated with decks dependent on artifacts for their win conditions. Keeping one in your collection ensures you have the right tool at the right time.
How to beat
Manic Vandal is known for its disruptive entrance in the world of Magic: The Gathering, bringing value by wrecking your opponent’s artifacts the moment it lands on the battlefield. This effect makes it a strategic card against artifact-heavy decks, sniping treasure tokens, equipment, or key combo pieces with ease. It’s a red card that embodies direct action and simple solutions.
Overcoming the setback posed by Manic Vandal involves a few tactics. First off, consider the timing of playing your significant artifacts. Since Manic Vandal has an impact when it enters the battle zone, playing artifacts after it’s been deployed is safer. Additionally, removal spells are your allies here. Removing Manic Vandal before it can attack or prior to it benefiting from buffs or synergies can minimize the disruption it brings to the table. Lastly, having instant-speed answers or counterspells ready can help sidestep the destruction triggered by Vandal’s entrance.
Adapting to Manic Vandal’s powerful artifact-destroying ability is crucial. By having the right strategies and responses in hand, you can mitigate its effects and maintain the delicate balance of your carefully crafted MTG deck strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Manic Vandal MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Magic 2012, 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 Manic Vandal and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Manic Vandal Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2011-07-15. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 151 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 2 | 2011-07-15 | Magic 2012 | M12 | 151 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Manic Vandal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Manic Vandal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-08-15 | Manic Vandal’s ability is mandatory. If you’re the only player who controls an artifact, you must target one of them. |