Mossbeard Ancient MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Treefolk |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2022-09-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dominaria United |
| Set code | DMU |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 173 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alexandre Honoré |
Text of card
Trample When Mossbeard Ancient enters the battlefield, you gain 5 life.
Older than the mountains, the dragons, and the wars of humans and machines.
Cards like Mossbeard Ancient
Mossbeard Ancient is a towering presence among creature cards in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. In the community of green ramp creatures, it resembles cards like Beanstalk Giant for its late-game impact, as both offer a significant presence on the battlefield. However, Mossbeard Ancient provides additional value by granting mana for each token you control, branching out its potential in a token-heavy deck. Whereas the Beanstalk Giant allows you to pull a land directly into the battleground, giving a more immediate yet single-use benefit.
Another leafy giant is Verdurous Gearhulk, which shares the theme of distributing +1/+1 counters that Mossbeard Ancient exudes; but Verdurous Gearhulk offers a burst in power upon entrance rather than a scaled growth over time. Then, considering the revered Ancient Greenwarden, it offers replays from the graveyard enhancing land synergies distinctly from Mossbeard Ancient’s token-aligned focus.
Delving into the strengths and synergies of these cards, Mossbeard Ancient stands tall with its unique capability to tap into an army of tokens for an expansive mana base, showcasing its powerful versatility in decks designed to cultivate a thriving throng of creatures.
Cards similar to Mossbeard Ancient by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mossbeard Ancient excels in empowering players with additional drawing opportunities, a key aspect for staying ahead in the late game. By pulling more cards from your deck, you’re poised to respond to an opponent’s threats with greater versatility and keep them guessing at your next move.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable creature doesn’t just stand tall on the battlefield; it acts as a beacon of resource acceleration. When Mossbeard Ancient is in play, its ability to potentially untap lands can lead to a cascade of mana availability. This surge of resources can be channeled into casting powerful spells earlier than usual, tipping the scales in your favor.
Instant Speed: While Mossbeard Ancient itself might not operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with decks that emphasize quick action. By supplementing your strategy with instant-speed spells, you can better leverage the Ancient’s capabilities, responding to your opponent’s moves on the fly while taking full advantage of the massive mana boost it offers when the timing is just right.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mossbeard Ancient demands that players discard another card to activate its abilities, which can pose a significant setback when your hand is already running low on cards. This cost means that while the ancient’s power may be formidable, there’s a price to pay that can disrupt your game plan, especially if you’re unable to maintain a healthy card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s reliance on a specific combination of mana types can be restrictive. As it requires a dedicated mana base of green, it might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks that need a more flexible mana curve. Players may find themselves unable to cast it when needed, or having to alter their deck’s mana sources considerably, which could impact the deck’s overall consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Mossbeard Ancient’s casting cost is considerable, demanding a large investment of mana that might not align with the pacing of many games. This can make it less appealing when compared to other creatures in the same mana range that either come into play more quickly or offer immediate impact upon entering the battlefield, such as providing card draw or creature removal.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mossbeard Ancient offers adaptability for green-focused decks, enhancing strategies centralized around creature-based synergies or the late-game dominance that green is known for.
Combo Potential: This elder treefolk works well with landfall mechanics, as well as with cards that create creature tokens, making it a robust contributor to several combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where ramp decks are flourishing, the substantial mana acceleration from Mossbeard Ancient can prove to be a game-changer by enabling earlier deployment of high-cost creatures and spells.
How to beat
Mossbeard Ancient introduces a formidable presence on the board with its ability to empower other creatures you control. This green behemoth is not only a massive creature but also boosts the stats of your other creatures, making it a strategic asset in MTG decks focusing on creature strength. To effectively counter this gigantic force, removal spells that can bypass the Ancients protection are your best bet. Utilizing spells or abilities that exile it from the battlefield or force your opponent to sacrifice it can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Additionally, board wipes that clear multiple creatures can reset the playing field, negating the buffs to smaller creatures and removing the Ancient in one fell swoop.
Another strategy lies in controlling the flow of the match before Mossbeard Ancient can exert its influence. Slowing down your opponent’s mana acceleration or denying them the resources necessary to summon it is key. Cards that restrict land development or counter creature spells will impede their ability to play Mossbeard Ancient, preventing it from ever becoming an active threat. Always remember, staying ahead of your opponent’s game plan is crucial when facing such a powerful card.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Mossbeard Ancient allows players to construct a plan of attack, ensuring preparedness when facing this towering ancient in an MTG match. Smart removal choices and pre-emptive strategy are the cornerstones to overcoming this card’s impact on the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mossbeard Ancient MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Mossbeard Ancient 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mossbeard Ancient has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |