Panicked Altisaur MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Abilities | Reach |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 159 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Lars Grant-West |
Text of card
Reach : Panicked Altisaur deals 2 damage to each opponent.
Early Sun Empire expeditions learned the hard way that some surface dinosaurs were particularly ill-suited to the caverns' enclosed environments.
Cards like Panicked Altisaur
Panicked Altisaur makes a sturdy presence on the battlefield among MTG creatures designed to handle threats. A close relative of this Jurassic juggernaut is the Colossal Dreadmaw, which brings the same 6/6 stats to the table but trades the damage prevention for the ability to trample over opponents’ defenses, making it a consistently aggressive option.
When comparing Panicked Altisaur to other creatures of similar mana cost, Polyraptor is another noteworthy comparison. It echoes the dinosaur theme and shares the same converted mana cost. Polyraptor offers a unique ability, spawning a copy of itself whenever it’s dealt damage, allowing for exponential board growth under the right conditions. This compares to Panicked Altisaur’s singularly defensive trait of potentially negating damage from an opponent’s spell or ability, highlighting its role as a protective asset rather than an offensive multiplier.
Examining these cards closely, Panicked Altisaur’s niche lies in its defensive capability, differing from others in its class by offering strategic players more control over battlefield exchanges. While it may lack the outright aggression of some of its dinosaur counterparts, its ability to shield itself from specific threats can be invaluable in the right deck.
Cards similar to Panicked Altisaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Panicked Altisaur can dramatically alter the board state, especially in formats like Limited, where it can decimate multiple creatures at once, effectively swinging the card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct tool for resource acceleration, its substantial presence on the battlefield can discourage opponents from committing more creatures to the board, indirectly preserving your resources.
Instant Speed: While Panicked Altisaur itself isn’t an instant-speed spell, its enrage ability benefits from instant-speed interaction. This means when you play instants that cause damage to your creatures, Panicked Altisaur can clear the board at times opponents least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Panicked Altisaur necessitates the discard of a card when you want to utilize its ability to avoid damage. This can be a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already running low and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Deploying a Panicked Altisaur demands a particular combination of mana: one red and six other mana sources. This specific cost can be prohibitive, particularly in multi-color decks where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven-mana casting requirement, the Panicked Altisaur carries a hefty mana load. For the same or less investment, players could summon creatures with equal or greater impact on the game state, potentially making the Altisaur a less attractive choice in competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Panicked Altisaur adds a robust dynamic to decks looking for defensive resilience. As a high-power creature with enrage, it fits snugly into strategies that capitalize on damage redirection or survivability.
Combo Potential: Harness the enrage mechanic of the Panicked Altisaur to unlock synergy with other cards. When damage is strategically dealt to it, you can activate enrage repeatedly, setting the stage for impactful interactions on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given the changing tides of the competitive scene, the Panicked Altisaur holds its ground against decks that rely heavily on board clear tactics. Its presence helps maintain board state against such sweeps, keeping your game plan active and robust in a variety of matchups.
How to beat
Panicked Altisaur represents an interesting challenge within the realm of Magic the Gathering gameplay. This sizable dino saunters onto the field with an imposing presence — a massive blocker that can randomly stomp other creatures when blocking due to its enrage ability. To overcome this Jurassic behemoth, direct removal spells are an absolute must. Cards like Murder, which cleanly eliminate the creature regardless of its size, sidestep the enrage trigger completely.
Combat isn’t the only solution either. Enchantment-based pacification spells, such as Pacifism or Arrest, can effectively neuter the Altisaur’s defensive prowess without triggering its enrage. Countermagic is also an efficient preventative measure, with spells like Counterspell or Essence Scatter stopping the dinosaur in its tracks before it can impact the battlefield.
An essential strategy involves recognizing the limits of the enrage mechanic. While daunting, Panicked Altisaur’s ability only triggers upon taking damage. Thus, excluding fight mechanics or damage-dealing blockers could render Panicked Altisaur no more than a costly paperweight. Incorporating these tactics will contain the prehistoric panic and maintain strategic dominance on the field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Panicked Altisaur MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Panicked Altisaur 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 Panicked Altisaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |