Mantis Engine MTG Card
1999-06-07 - Number 133
2007-07-13 - Number 333
2007-07-13 - Number 333★
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Insect |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
: Mantis Engine gains flying until end of turn. : Mantis Engine gains first strike until end of turn.
Tawnos left a legacy of animal designs in many of Urza's creations.
Cards like Mantis Engine
Mantis Engine stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile creature card. It’s akin to cards like Arcbound Ravager, which can be a threat on its own due to the ability to sacrifice other artifacts to grow larger. Unlike Arcbound Ravager, Mantis Engine requires mana investment to either increase its power or gain flying until end of turn, offering flexible combat strategies.
Morphling is another relative in terms of adaptability. While Morphling allows adjustments to its power, toughness, and abilities at will, it demands a significant mana investment to do so. Mantis Engine, comparatively, has restrictions on when it can alter its abilities but comes at a more affordable mana cost. Lastly, one can draw parallels with the card Triskelion, which also offers versatility through its ability to remove counters to deal damage. However, Triskelion’s approach is more removal-oriented, whereas Mantis Engine leans on combat flexibility.
Through careful analysis, it’s clear that Mantis Engine offers a unique blend of customization and potential for immediate impact in combat scenarios, making it a card that can adapt to various in-game situations while remaining cost-effective for players.
Cards similar to Mantis Engine by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Mantis Engine is a versatile piece in your deck that can help you maintain a strong hand size. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, its utility means it can often replace itself by positively affecting your board state, letting you stay ahead.
Resource Acceleration: This powerful machine gives players an edge by efficiently converting mana into board presence. In terms of resource acceleration, the ability to summon a potent creature early in the game can lead to substantial mana savings over time, potentially allowing you to deploy additional threats faster than your opponent.
Instant Speed: One of the most significant advantages here is the capability to use its activated abilities at instant speed, providing flexibility in your play decisions. This allows you to keep mana open for potential threats or answers and then quickly adapt your strategy based on the evolving game state, making it an unpredictably strong card during crucial moments of play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fuel Mantis Engine’s abilities, you might be forced to discard valuable cards, which can be a setback if your hand is already running thin on options.
Specific Mana Cost: Mantis Engine demands a precise combination of mana to be played and activated, which may not always align smoothly with your deck’s mana base, potentially causing delays in its deployment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its abilities, Mantis Engine competes directly with other cards in its mana range that may offer more immediate or impactful advantages on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Mantis Engine in Your Collection
Versatility: Mantis Engine offers flexibility in deck building, fitting neatly into various archetypes. Its ability to swiftly adapt on the battlefield by gaining flying or first strike makes it a versatile threat in both offensive and defensive roles.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature can be a linchpin for combos, interacting fruitfully with cards that synergize with artifacts or require a robust, adaptable creature. Its instant-speed ability adaptations can catch opponents off-guard and enable surprise combat wins.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right deck, Mantis Engine can be surprisingly relevant in certain metas, particularly where its adaptability can outmaneuver more rigid strategies. Its resilience against sorcery-speed removal thanks to its instant-speed abilities ensures it remains a worthy consideration for inclusion.
How to beat
Mantis Engine in the world of Magic: The Gathering is a versatile artifact creature that has the capability to become a potent force on the battlefield. As a card that can both gain flying and trample, it requires a strategic approach to defeat. Tackling this adaptable adversary involves considering cards that can neutralize its abilities or remove it outright. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can efficiently handle Mantis Engine by targeting it directly, allowing you to dismantle your opponent’s plans without much fuss.
Board clearing spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation present another effective tactic to consider. Destroying all creatures on the battlefield not only deals with Mantis Engine but also resets the board, potentially disrupting your opponent’s broader strategy. Meanwhile, tapping into counter spells helps you prevent Mantis Engine from ever entering the battlefield, making cards like Counterspell or Negate valuable assets in your deck.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming Mantis Engine lies in preparedness and adaptability, two qualities that seasoned Magic: The Gathering players often possess in abundance. Keeping a diverse range of answers at your disposal will ensure you’re ready to face and beat the mechanical menace should it arise during gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mantis Engine MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Tenth Edition, 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 Mantis Engine 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 Mantis Engine Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by John Zeleznik.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-06-07 | Urza's Destiny | UDS | 133 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Zeleznik | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 333 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Zeleznik | |
| 3 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 333★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Zeleznik |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mantis Engine has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |