Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter MTG Card


Mondronen Shaman transforms into Tovolar’s Magehunter, disrupting opponents by discarding their cards. Requires strategic play to leverage instant transformation and create in-game advantages. Demands a specific mana setup and careful hand management to optimize its potential.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Shaman Werewolf
Abilities Transform
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Mondronen Shaman.

"Tovolar, my master. Gather the howlpack, for the Hunter's Moon is nigh and Thraben's walls grow weak."


Cards like Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter

Mondronen Shaman is an intriguing card with a duality that keeps opponents on their toes in Magic: The Gathering. When compared to cards like Kruin Outlaw, another werewolf that benefits from transforming, Mondronen Shaman stands out with its unique disruption ability. Unlike Kruin Outlaw, which doubles strike damage, Mondronen Shaman imposes a penalty on opponents casting two spells, shifting to Tovolar’s Magehunter and punishing their strategy.

Daybreak Ranger is another similar creature that transforms under the same conditions. While also a valuable asset in werewolf decks, it lacks the reactionary capability of Mondronen Shaman, focusing instead on targeted removal in its Nightfall Predator form. The role of Huntmaster of the Fells should also be mentioned. Though it provides a well-rounded suite of life gain and creature production upon entry and transformation, it doesn’t exert the same control over the flow of the game as Mondronen Shaman does.

When evaluating werewolves with transformative potential, Mondronen Shaman’s ability to shift the dynamics of gameplay with its flip-triggers offers a strategic advantage, making it a noteworthy choice in its class of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Tovolar's Magehunter - MTG Card versions
Tovolar's Magehunter - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mondronen Shaman presents a tactical edge by transforming into Tovolar’s Magehunter, which potentially discards a card from each opponent’s hand whenever they cast a spell. This disruptive ability can tip the scale towards card superiority.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing traditional mana acceleration, controlling this card can pressure opponents into playing differently, potentially slowing down their game plan and allowing you to pull ahead with your own resources.

Instant Speed: This shamanic powerhouse has the ability to transform at the flip of a moon’s phase—any time a player casts no spells during their own turn. The ability to instantaneously become a bigger threat on the board keeps opponents on their toes and aligns with the fast-paced nature of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mondronen Shaman requires a strategic approach to hand management. To transform it into Tovolar’s Magehunter, you must ensure no spells were played the previous turn. This can lead to potential card retention conflicts, where discarding is beneficial for transformation but could leave you with fewer options.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked behind a specific mana cost, Mondronen Shaman demands double red mana, making it a less flexible choice for multi-colored decks. This can hinder the card’s playability in anything but heavily red-oriented decks, limiting its utility across the wider MTG archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three colorless and one red mana, Mondronen Shaman sits at a higher mana cost for its base stats and abilities. Considering this, players may find other cards at a lower cost that provide immediate impact without the conditional transformation requirement.


Reasons to Include Mondronen Shaman in Your Collection

Versatility: Mondronen Shaman is a dynamic card that can adapt to a variety of strategies within your deck. Its ability to transform into Tovolar’s Magehunter when no spells are cast allows for unexpected power spikes, fitting seamlessly into decks that aim to play on the opponent’s turn or those utilizing a flash strategy.

Combo Potential: The transformation of Mondronen Shaman can work with other cards that discourage or punish spell casting. This creates opportunities for combos that can lock down opponents’ strategies, making it a potential powerhouse in the right build. Plus, as a werewolf, it benefits from tribal synergies, enabling devastating plays in creature-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where players lean on heavy spellcasting or control decks, Mondronen Shaman thrives. Forcing opponents to either trigger its transformation or hold back casting spells can disrupt their game plan, giving you the upper hand. This relevance makes it a worthwhile inclusion in your collection, especially in fluctuating competitive environments.


How to Beat Mondronen Shaman

Mondronen Shaman is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that demands specific strategies to counter effectively. The card can transform into Tovolar’s Magehunter if a player hasn’t cast a spell during their turn, which can control the game if unchecked. Managing this werewolf involves careful planning and maintaining the rhythm of your spellcasting.

To prevent the transformation of Mondronen Shaman, you need to ensure at least one spell is played every turn. This can be achieved by using low-cost spells, instants that can be cast during your opponent’s turn, or cards that allow you to draw and play additional cards. Another tactic is to use removal spells to dispatch the Shaman before it becomes a bigger threat. Additionally, cards that prevent your opponent from casting spells are also effective, as they can lock the Shaman in its human form. Board control cards and abilities that can tap creatures also serve to contain the Shaman’s potential.

By adopting a strategy that disrupts the opponent’s play pattern while ensuring your own is consistent, Mondronen Shaman can be neutralized. Sustained pressure and strategic spellcasting are key to overcoming this adaptable adversary on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re keen to delve deeper into the realm of MTG and refine your gameplay, Mondronen Shaman is a card that should undoubtedly pique your interest. This spellcaster boasts the transformative power to become Tovolar’s Magehunter, potentially tipping the scales of card advantage in your favor. Ideal for those who enjoy disrupting their opponent’s flow and mastering the strategic use of spells, Mondronen Shaman aligns perfectly with decks aiming for a surprise shift in control. Dive into our comprehensive guides to explore synergies, strategies, and ways to maximize the potency of this transformative creature in your deck. Harness the full power of Mondronen Shaman and outwit your adversaries in your next MTG showdown.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dark Ascension Promos, 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 Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-01-28 and 2012-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 435072003TransformBlackAnthony Palumbo
22012-01-28Dark Ascension PromosPDKA 98★2003TransformBlackAnthony Palumbo
32012-02-03Dark AscensionDKA 982003TransformBlackMike Sass

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mondronen Shaman // Tovolar's Magehunter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-01-22 Tovolar’s Magehunter’s first triggered ability will resolve before the spell that caused it to trigger. If this causes the player who cast that spell to lose the game, that spell won’t resolve.
2016-07-13 For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics).