Manticore MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 113
2021-07-23 - Number 314
2022-07-07 - Number 163
Text of card
Flash Flying Tail Spikes — When Manticore enters the battlefield, destroy target creature an opponent controls that was dealt damage this turn.
Cards like Manticore
The Manticore card brings a unique flavor to creature spells in MTG. It’s somewhat comparable to the likes of Flametongue Kavu, a creature known for its ability to deal damage to another target creature upon entering the battlefield. Like Flametongue Kavu, Manticore offers direct impact on the game state through creature removal capabilities. However, Manticore typically boasts additional abilities or effects, such as flying or other forms of combat interaction, setting it apart as a more versatile threat.
Charging Monstrosaur is another card worthy of comparison. Although it doesn’t share the direct damage trait, it offers an immediate presence with haste and a significant power and toughness. While the Monstrosaur excels in aggressive strategies, the Manticore’s utility in controlling the board can be a deciding factor in its favor. Other cards in the same realm include Sparktongue Dragon, which also deals damage upon entering the battlefield, but requires additional mana investment to unleash its potential.
Analyzing these creatures together, a Manticore card often finds a solid position in MTG decks that value flexibility and board control. Its combination of airborne dominance and interactive abilities makes it a multifaceted choice for players building around creature-based strategies.
Cards similar to Manticore by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Manticore cards often come with abilities that enable players to draw extra cards or force opponents to discard, which helps in securing a strategic upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: With certain Manticore cards providing additional mana or allowing the retrieval of cards from the graveyard, players can swiftly ramp up their resources to unleash powerful spells earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: The ability to react at instant speed with Manticore spells or abilities grants players tactical flexibility, enabling them to disrupt opponent’s plans or to make decisive plays at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Manticore card often comes with a discard requirement that may force players to lose valuable cards from hand, diminishing their strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: Manticores in MTG commonly have a specific mana cost that includes red, which can restrict deck-building options and is not always easily incorporated into multi-color decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Some Manticore cards have a higher mana cost compared to other creatures with similar abilities, potentially slowing down the pace at which you can establish a board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The adaptability that a Manticore card offers in your deck is significant. It typically features flying, posing a formidable obstacle for opponents without similar aerial capabilities. Furthermore, its often included ability to deal damage upon entry or attack adds another layer of utility, allowing for strategic removal of opposing creatures.
Combo Potential: Manticores can synergize well with other cards that trigger upon dealing damage or when creatures fly. This can lead to powerful combinations that can rapidly shift the tide of the game in your favor, showcasing the potential of these creatures in combo-driven decks.
Meta-Relevance: Considering its strengths in abilities and its respected presence in the air, a Manticore card can hold its own within various metagames. Especially in environments where smaller creatures dominate, the Manticore’s reach and power can offer a decisive advantage.
How to beat
The Manticore card in Magic: The Gathering offers a unique challenge on the battlefield with its powerful abilities that can dominate the game if left unchecked. To effectively counter this card, players should focus on strategies that either neutralize the Manticore’s abilities or swiftly remove it from the play area before it can exert its influence. Utilizing removal spells that can target creatures, regardless of their size, can provide a reliable solution. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile can dispose of the Manticore without having to engage it directly in combat.
Alternatively, controlling the board with counterspells or creature abilities that can negate the Manticore’s actions also prove to be effective. Engaging in combat with creatures that have death touch or those that can damage multiple creatures simultaneously, like Pyroclasm, could also turn the tides. In essence, maintaining a responsive hand with a mix of removals, counters, and combat tricks can ensure that the Manticore’s impact is minimal, thus securing your position in the game and increasing your chances of victory.
Being preemptive and keeping your strategy adaptable to threats like the Manticore can ultimately make a significant difference in the outcome of your matches. It’s about using your resources wisely and timing your plays to ensure that the Manticore never gets a chance to unleash its full potential.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Manticore MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Manticore 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 Manticore Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian | |
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 314 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justine Mara Andersen | |
| 3 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 163 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Manticore has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.