Slash Panther MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Cat |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Released | 2011-05-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | New Phyrexia |
| Set code | NPH |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 96 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Matt Stewart |
Key Takeaways
- Slash Panther provides indirect card advantage by pressuring opponents into unfavorable trades on the board.
- Its artifact nature and Phyrexian mana offer strategic flexibility and acceleration in various deck builds.
- Although costly with a specific mana requirement, its haste feature allows for immediate board impact.
Text of card
({PR} can be paid with either or 2 life.) Haste
It runs an endless circuit along the ruined roads of the soon-to-be-forgotten Mirran civilization.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Slash Panther doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its impact on the board can pressure your opponent into unfavorable trades, potentially leading to an indirect card advantage as you maintain a stronger presence on the board.
Resource Acceleration: As an artifact creature, Slash Panther fits seamlessly into decks that focus on artifact synergy, potentially accelerating your game plan. Its Phyrexian mana cost allows for flexible payment, paving the way for a wider range of strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Although Slash Panther is not an instant itself, its Phyrexian mana cost gives you the versatility to summon it at a crucial moment when you may otherwise be tapped out, similar to the benefits provided by having instant speed capabilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Slash Panther doesn’t directly involve a discard, having it in your deck might force you to make tough decisions when up against card abilities or scenarios where discard is mandatory. Such a requirement can be a strategic downside, as it risks pulling valuable cards from your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: One of the drawbacks of Slash Panther is its specific mana cost, which includes Phyrexian mana. This means that in addition to generic mana, you’re also paying life points if you’re not using the appropriate color mana, in this case red. This can become a liability in life-total-centric games.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, including one Phyrexian red mana, Slash Panther may be considered costly considering its output. While it does offer a 4/2 body with haste, numerous alternatives in the four or less mana range can provide similar or greater impact on the game state at a more competitive cost.
Reasons to Include Slash Panther in Your Collection
Versatility: Slash Panther is a flexible addition to a variety of MTG decks. Its colorless nature means it can slot into any deck, mitigating color constraints that can often limit a card’s applicability.
Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, Slash Panther provides synergy in decks that capitalize on artifact-based strategies or interactions. It can unexpectedly become a key piece in achieving a combo win condition with the right setup on board.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting landscape of MTG’s meta-game, Slash Panther’s immediate impact on the board as a hasty threat can catch opponents off-guard. It can be particularly potent in environments where slower, more controlling decks are prevalent.
How to beat
Slash Panther is an intriguing artifact creature card in Magic: The Gathering with the potential to catch an opponent off guard due to its haste attribute, allowing it to attack right away. Facing this card requires strategic defense, as its 4/2 stats imply it can be a substantial threat if left unchecked. The card spreads across two critical assets: speed and power.
To handle a Slash Panther effectively, one must consider artifact removal spells or maximizing blockers’ value. Options like Naturalize or Disenchant can directly target and remove it from play, neutralizing the imminent danger. Additionally, chump blockers or creatures with higher toughness are excellent for absorbing an attack from Slash Panther, as its 2 toughness makes it susceptible to dying in combat easily. Lastly, instants that provide -2/-2 can be a swift answer to this mechanical beast, efficiently utilizing mana and card resources for a favorable trade.
Ultimately, overcoming Slash Panther in MTG relies on preparedness and the ability to play wisely around surprise attacks. By employing the right removal spells or defensive strategies, players can mitigate the impact of its sudden arrival on the battlefield.
Cards like Slash Panther
Slash Panther finds its unique position within the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, standing as a versatile entity with its blend of power and haste. Its closest relatives include the likes of Flametongue Kavu, which also boasts a formidable 4 power but trades haste for a direct damage ability upon entering the battlefield.
Considering other counterparts, Porcelain Legionnaire presents itself as another artifact creature with a similar aggressive cost-performance ratio. While it doesn’t have haste, it offers flexibility in mana payment and a first strike ability, making it a competent player in early to mid-game skirmishes. Another comparable artifact creature is Phyrexian Revoker, slightly more subdued in power but with the ability to disrupt opponents by neutralizing their key cards’ activated abilities.
Ultimately, Slash Panther carves out a niche for itself by offering immediate board impact, suitable for decks looking for swift power to pressure the opponent. Its balance of aggression and utility provides players with a tactical edge, especially in scenarios demanding rapid, forceful actions.
Cards similar to Slash Panther by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slash Panther MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Slash Panther and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slash Panther has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Slash Panther card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid. |
| 2011-06-01 | As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X. |
| 2011-06-01 | If you’re at 1 life or less, you can’t pay 2 life. |
| 2011-06-01 | Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can’t add Phyrexian mana to their mana pools. |
| 2011-06-01 | To calculate the converted mana cost of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1. |
