Barkhide Mauler MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Beast
Abilities	Cycling
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	246
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Iain McCaig

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by potentially forcing opponents into unfavorable trades or using multiple resources.
Indirectly accelerates your game by dictating opponent’s actions and resource allocation.
Combines well with instant-speed cards for effective and advantageous strategies.

Text of card

Cycling (, Discard this card from your hand: Draw a card.)

Anywhere else they would be hunted for their skins, but in Wirewood, they are safe.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barkhide Mauler may not seem like a traditional source of card advantage, but it can easily become a two-for-one scenario. When you play the Mauler, your opponent is often forced to use removal or two creatures to deal with the sizable threat, effectively netting you card advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While the Mauler itself does not directly produce additional mana, its sheer presence can act as a deterrent, accelerating your game plan by requiring opponents to react or adapt prematurely. In some cases, opponents must divert resources to handle the Mauler, which can indirectly accelerate your resource advantage.

Instant Speed: Although Barkhide Mauler operates at sorcery speed, its interactions with other instant speed cards can be quite beneficial. For instance, responding to your Mauler being targeted by an instant speed removal spell with a bounce or protection spell of your own can result in efficient resource usage and a favorable exchange.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Navigating the battlefield of MTG can be as strategic as it is thrilling, but every choice has its consequences. Barkhide Mauler prompts you to discard another card to exploit its potential, which could deplete your hand and diminish your tactical options later in the game. It’s a risky trade-off that might leave you vulnerable at critical moments.

Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana cost for Barkhide Mauler entails a careful deck construction. Its reliance on green mana sources means it may not seamlessly slot into multicolored decks, possibly causing complications with mana accessibility and affecting the overall fluidity of your gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you’re in the heat of the game, mana efficiency is paramount. The mana cost of Barkhide Mauler is on the higher side, which could slow down the pace at which you deploy threats to the board. In a game where speed can be the difference between victory and defeat, you might find other creatures or spells that provide a bigger bang for your buck at a similar, or even lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Barkhide Mauler is a robust addition to any green-centric deck, adept at providing substantial power on the battlefield for a reasonable mana cost. Its adaptability makes it an asset in aggressive strategies where sizeable creatures reign supreme.

Combo Potential: As a creature with considerable power, this card pairs well with numerous synergies, notably those that capitalize on trample or power-based triggers. Its formidable presence supports strategies aiming to overwhelm opponents through pure force or by amplifying other creature’s abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment brimming with creature-based combat, Barkhide Mauler proves to be a valuable asset. Its ability to hit the board with a significant impact enables it to stand its ground against commonly played threats, maintaining relevance in an ever-evolving meta landscape.

How to beat

Barkhide Mauler may not be the flashiest creature in Magic: The Gathering, but underestimating this powerhouse can quickly tilt the battlefield in your opponent’s favor. This green creature usually boosts its significance through its stats for the mana investment, making it an efficient inclusion in any deck focusing on high-power, low-cost strategies.

To effectively counter Barkhide Mauler, control strategies are key. Removal spells are your best bet to handle this beast; look for options like Murder or Doom Blade which can take it out regardless of its size. In a pinch, combat tricks can also give you the upper hand, allowing you to outmaneuver this creature in battle. While Barkhide Mauler may seem daunting at first, remember that its lack of innate protection makes it vulnerable to the vast array of removal in the game.

Countering Barkhide Mauler also comes down to strategy. Playing around it by not committing to early blockers unless necessary and saving your crucial spells to address this threat can pay off. In summary, respect its raw power, but remain composed and strategic with your removal and combat decisions.

Cards like Barkhide Mauler

Barkhide Mauler is a unique creature card that finds its identity within the world of Magic: The Gathering. This green creature can be likened to others such as Baloth Gorger, with its substantial power and toughness which garner attention in decks focusing on high-impact creatures. Both cards have the potential to swing games with their hefty stats alone. However, Barkhide Mauler’s ability to provide a persistent effect on the game board through its abilities, sets it apart from the straightforward Baloth Gorger.

Another card that comes to mind when evaluating creatures similar to Barkhide Mauler is Thornhide Wolves. Although Thornhide Wolves enters the battlefield with a decent force, it lacks any additional abilities to influence the board state further. Barkhide Mauler, by contrast, often offers more than just raw power—it can come with abilities that enhance its own survivability or disrupt the opponent’s strategy.

When examining these cards, we discover that Barkhide Mauler often fits into strategies that benefit from more than just a large creature, making it a versatile choice for players looking to capitalize on creatures with added utility. It holds its own within Magic: The Gathering, as it commands a presence on the battlefield and has subtleties that can tip the scales in a tight match.

Cards similar to Barkhide Mauler by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barkhide Mauler MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Barkhide Mauler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barkhide Mauler has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-10-01	Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not.