Maulfist Doorbuster MTG Card

Maulfist Doorbuster’s menace ability pressures opponents, indirectly leading to card advantage through strategic attacks. Its energy counter generation at casting taps into instant speed utility, providing a combat edge. Effective against Maulfist Doorbuster: removal spells and control strategies to neutralize its board presence.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Released	2016-09-30
Set symbol
Set name	Kaladesh
Set code	KLD
Power	4
Toughness	2
Number	123
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Josh Hass

Text of card

When Maulfist Doorbuster enters the battlefield, you get (two energy counters). Whenever Maulfist Doorbuster attacks, you may pay . If you do, target creature can't block this turn.

"Knock, knock . . . too late."

Cards like Maulfist Doorbuster

Maulfist Doorbuster serves as an intriguing example of aggressive creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This card invites comparisons to others like Aether Chaser, which shares the similar energy mechanic. Both cards are designed to impact the board quickly, with Aether Chaser being a bit more economical regarding mana. However, what sets Maulfist Doorbuster apart is its ability to hinder effective blocking by your opponent, giving you a better chance at dealing damage.

When examining cards within the same Kaladesh plane, we come across Thriving Grubs. This card also leverages the energy mechanic but in a slightly different context. While it lacks the direct board manipulation of Maulfist Doorbuster, it uses its energy to grow more formidable over time. Another comparison can be drawn with Spireside Infiltrator, which, while not using energy, inflicts damage to the opponent as it becomes tapped, aligning with the aggressive play style fostered by Maulfist Doorbuster.

In summarizing the varying abilities and mana costs of these creatures, Maulfist Doorbuster emerges as a valuable contender for players who seek to command the battlefield’s pace and undermine the opponent’s defensive strategies. Its unique ability to control opposition blocking can often be the key to clinching a victory in fast-paced games.

Spireside Infiltrator - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Maulfist Doorbuster by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Maulfist Doorbuster doesn’t directly offer card draw, yet its ability to give creatures the coveted menace ability can indirectly lead to card advantage by pressuring your opponent to double block, potentially clearing a path and trading one card for two of your opponent’s.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly affect mana resources, its presence accelerates your board state, challenging opponents and potentially drawing out resources they might otherwise use for their own development.

Instant Speed: Maulfist Doorbuster operates at sorcery speed, but it’s important to note that its energy counter generation is immediate upon casting. These energy counters can be used at instant speed, giving its next attack an unexpected advantage and forcing an opponent to adapt quickly or suffer the consequences.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Maulfist Doorbuster does not directly ask players to discard cards, it relies on having energy counters to utilize its ability to the fullest. Obtaining and spending these energy counters can influence your in-game decisions, potentially leading you to discard cards to obtain more energy through other means or from hand size limits at the end of your turn.

Specific Mana Cost: Maulfist Doorbuster demands a precise casting cost of one red and three colorless mana. This cost dictates that your deck should heavily favor a red mana base or have efficient mana fixing to cast it on time, potentially limiting the creature’s inclusion to specific deck archetypes that can accommodate this mana requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Maulfist Doorbuster’s immediate board impact may not justify its mana investment, especially compared with other four-mana spells or creatures that can offer greater utility or presence. Its energy-dependent ability also requires further resource investment to be effective, which might make it less appealing compared to more straightforward or versatile four-mana options in the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Maulfist Doorbuster offers a dynamic option for decks looking to capitalize on energy counters. Its ability to give creatures the edge in combat by making them harder to block fits into aggressive strategies that aim to maintain constant pressure on the opponent.

Combo Potential: As part of an energy-themed deck, Maulfist Doorbuster can interact seamlessly with other energy mechanics, creating synergies that maximize the use of energy counters. It can essentially turn any nonattacking turn into a strategic advantage, contributing to overwhelming board states in tandem with other energy-centric cards.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based aggro is prominent, Maulfist Doorbuster stands out by enabling faster, more impactful plays. Its presence on the board can shift the combat phase in your favor, making it a relevant choice for players looking to outpace their opponents and control the flow of the battle.

How to beat Maulfist Doorbuster

Maulfist Doorbuster, as any seasoned player knows, brings energy and aggression to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Utilizing energy counters, it unlocks the potential to disrupt your opponent’s defensive line. However, this creature is not without its weak points. To effectively counteract Maulfist Doorbuster, having removal spells ready is key. Spells such as Fatal Push and Path to Exile can efficiently remove it from the field before it can leverage its energy ability.

Control strategies also excel against such creatures. By employing counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter when Maulfist Doorbuster is cast, you prevent any further energy accumulation. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can also clear the field if it’s part of a larger threat. It’s important to remember that engaging it in combat isn’t always the best approach, since it can catch you off-guard with its energy-triggered menace ability, making it harder to block effectively. Efficient use of instant-speed interaction can keep Maulfist Doorbuster from becoming a major threat on the board.

Thus, when facing Maulfist Doorbuster, prioritize removal and control strategies to neutralize its impact. A prepared player with the right tools can ensure that Maulfist Doorbuster is merely a temporary hurdle in the path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maulfist Doorbuster MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh, 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 Maulfist Doorbuster and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maulfist Doorbuster has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Maulfist Doorbuster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2016-09-20	The target creature can't block any creatures this turn. The effect isn't restricted to just whether the creature can block Maulfist Doorbuster.
2017-02-09	Energy counters are a kind of counter that a player may have. They're not associated with specific permanents. (Other kinds of counters that players may have include poison and experience.)
2017-02-09	Energy counters aren't mana. They don't go away as steps, phases, and turns end, and effects that add mana “of any type” to your mana pool can't give you energy counters.
2017-02-09	If a triggered ability with one or more targets states that you “may pay” some amount of , and each permanent that it targets has become an illegal target, the ability doesn't resolve. You can't pay even if you want to.
2017-02-09	If an effect says you get one or more , you get that many energy counters. To pay one or more , you lose that many energy counters. Any effects that interact with counters a player gets, has, or loses can interact with energy counters.
2017-02-09	Keep careful track of how many energy counters each player has. You may do so by keeping a running count on paper, by using a die, or by any other clear and mutually agreeable method.
2017-02-09	Some triggered abilities state that you “may pay” a certain amount of . You can't pay that amount multiple times to multiply the effect. You simply choose whether or not to pay that amount of as the ability resolves, and no player may take actions to try to stop the ability's effect after you make your choice.
2017-02-09	You can't pay more energy counters than you have.
2017-02-09	is the energy symbol. It represents one energy counter.