Masticore MTG Card
1999-06-07 - Number 134
1999-08-04 - Number mlp134sb
1999-08-04 - Number kb143b
2000-08-02 - Number jf134
2000-08-02 - Number jk134sb
2000-08-02 - Number jk134
2010-08-27 - Number 7
2014-06-16 - Number 275
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Masticore |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may choose and discard a card from your hand. If you don't, sacrifice Masticore. : Masticore deals 1 damage to target creature. : Regenerate Masticore.
Cards like Masticore
The Masticore card stands as a unique artifact creature in the vast array of MTG cards. Its closest kin might be Razormane Masticore, which offers a similar discard mechanism and the potential for player-damage each turn. Yet, the original Masticore is distinct due to its ability to regenerate, a powerful defensive trait not seen in its razored counterpart.
Looking to the broader MTG universe, Triskelion emerges as a comparable artifact creature. Both Masticore and Triskelion allow you to remove counters to deal damage, but Triskelion lacks the discard requirement for its upkeep, which gives it a variant advantage in long-term playability. Another similar card, the modern-age Walking Ballista, enables precision damage control without the upkeep cost of Masticore, demonstrating the evolution of artifact creatures in the game.
Artifact creatures like Masticore are a testament to MTG’s complex and evolving gameplay. While Masticore demands a steep upkeep cost, its tactical versatility can’t be underestimated, especially for players who manage their hands with care. Recognizing the strengths and trade-offs of cards such as Masticore truly enriches the strategic depth of MTG.
Cards similar to Masticore by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Masticore. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Elves | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
| Sneak Survival | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals | |
| Tradewind Survival | Premodern | Misty Premodern Winter Finals | |
 | MUD | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
 | Deadguy Ale | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent | |
| Welder Survival | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Masticore provides a recurring source of creature removal, which can systematically dismantle an opponent’s board presence. While it requires discarding a card, the ability to remove key threats each turn can often lead to advantageous exchanges.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct form of resource acceleration, Masticore’s ability to dominate the board without additional mana investment each turn frees up resources. This enables a player to develop their board or hand more effectively, managing their resources for other strategies.
Instant Speed: The Masticore’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, allowing strategic flexibility. A player can wait until the most opportune moment during an opponent’s turn to use the removal effect, catching them off-guard and disrupting their plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the main drawbacks of the Masticore card is its upkeep demand, which stipulates discarding a card from your hand each turn. This can be particularly punishing if you’re already struggling to maintain a substantial hand size, thereby potentially depleting your resources quickly and leaving you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Masticore requires a hefty sum of generic mana to cast, a total of four. While this expense grants access across a variety of deck builds, it remains a hefty investment, particularly in the early game when mana resources are limited and other plays might be more strategically advantageous.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When compared to other creatures within the game, Masticore’s casting cost sits at a higher tier, demanding a substantial investment for its initial deployment. Moreover, its ongoing maintenance cost can be taxing as the game progresses. In faster-paced environments or in decks that aim to curve out efficiently, the Masticore may lag behind, providing opponents with an opportunity to seize the advantage with less cumbersome creature options.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Masticore offers a unique blend of offensive might and defensive utility that allows it to slot into a range of decks, from control to aggro. Its ability to deal damage to creatures or players provides flexible responses to various board states.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature shines in synergy with strategies revolving around discard or graveyard manipulation. Its upkeep cost, which requires discarding a card, can be turned into an advantage in decks designed to benefit from such mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta heavy with creature-based strategies, Masticore’s creature removal ability can repeatedly clear the board while maintaining a threatening presence. As the game environment evolves, having a card with the adaptability to check threats and dictate the pace can be a significant advantage.
How to beat
Masticore is a classic artifact creature that has made its mark in the Magic: The Gathering universe due to its unique abilities. This creature is recognized for its versatility and resilience, offering players a variety of ways to control the board. To overcome Masticore, it’s essential to understand its strengths and weaknesses. One strategic approach involves removing cards from your opponent’s hand to disrupt their ability to feed Masticore’s upkeep cost, as it requires discarding a card each turn.
Also, since Masticore can be a formidable blocker and can deal damage to creatures, utilizing spells that grant your creatures protection or indestructibility can nullify its board control. Alternatively, employing exile effects bypasses Masticore’s regeneration capability, ensuring that once it’s dealt with, it stays out of play. In essence, a combination of hand disruption and specialized removal spells could effectively negate Masticore’s impact on the game.
Hence, when facing a card with the staying power and flexibility of Masticore, players must thoughtfully adapt their strategy, capitalizing on its weaknesses to turn the tide in their favor and claim victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Masticore MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and World Championship Decks 1999, 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 Masticore 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 Masticore Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-06-07 | Urza's Destiny | UDS | 134 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 2 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | mlp134sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Paolo Parente | |
| 3 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | kb143b | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Paolo Parente | |
| 4 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jf134 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Paolo Parente | |
| 5 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jk134sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Paolo Parente | |
| 6 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jk134 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Paolo Parente | |
| 7 | 2010-08-27 | From the Vault: Relics | V10 | 7 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 8 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 275 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Masticore has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |