Pentavus MTG Card

Pentavus offers strategic board presence, producing tokens without depleting your hand. It acts at instant speed, providing defense or offense adaptation on the fly. While powerful, its high mana cost demands strategic deck building and play.

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 226

Planechase (HOP)
2009-09-04 - Number 123

Magic 2012 (M12)
2011-07-15 - Number 213

Commander 2014 (C14)
2014-11-07 - Number 261

Pentavus - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
2018-06-08 - Number 209

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number C14-261

Card sets	Released in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact Creature — Construct
Power	0
Toughness	0

Text of card

Pentavus comes into play with five +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Pentavus: Put a 1/1 Pentavite artifact creature token with flying into play. , Sacrifice a Pentavite: Put a +1/+1 counter on Pentavus.

Cards like Pentavus

Pentavus stands out in the realm of artifact creatures with its modular capabilities and utility in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to Triskelavus, which also offers the ability to create smaller creature tokens. While both cards can generate and sacrifice these tokens for various effects, Triskelavus differentiates itself by causing damage upon token sacrifice, whereas Pentavus focuses on the versatility of token manipulation without direct damage output.

Another analogous card is Myr Battlesphere, which also excels at producing creature tokens—Myr tokens in this case. Interestingly, while Myr Battlesphere requires a larger initial mana investment, the immediate impact of its token generation tied to direct damage could present a more forceful board presence compared to Pentavus’s gradual token production strategy.

In assessing the strategic value of these artifact creatures in gameplay, Pentavus exhibits a unique blend of resilience and adaptability, making it a solid choice for players who enjoy intricate token management and value opportunities over explosive, one-time effects.

Cards similar to Pentavus by color, type and mana cost

Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions

Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions

Pilgrim of the Fires - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pentavus offers a unique form of card advantage by creating Pentavite tokens which enhance your board presence without depleting your hand. Each Pentavite has the potential to threaten opponents or be sacrificed for various in-game benefits, ensuring you get more value out of a single card.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, Pentavus can contribute to resource acceleration by offering a reusable outlet for mana, especially in decks that have a surplus. This synergizes well with effects that trigger upon creature entering the battlefield or dying, effectively converting mana into repeatable game actions.

Instant Speed: Although Pentavus itself is not an instant, it can act at instant speed by using its ability to remove and create tokens during any player’s turn. This flexibility allows for strategic defense and offensive plays, adapting to the changing needs of the battlefield or responding to an opponent’s actions unexpectedly.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some artifact creatures that can offer immediate value upon entering the battlefield, Pentavus doesn’t quite fit that mold. This card doesn’t necessarily demand a discard, but rather it entails sacrificing its own tokens to generate certain effects. This self-sacrificing mechanism can be a deterrent if you’re aiming to maintain a substantial board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Pentavus comes with a particular mana cost that requires a substantial investment of seven mana, which can be challenging in faster-paced games or in decks that are mana constrained. While it provides flexibility in the color of the mana used, the sheer quantity needed can limit when and how you deploy it to the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The seven mana required to summon Pentavus is significant, more so when you consider that you need additional mana to create and sacrifice Pentavite tokens to fully utilize its capabilities. When compared to other creatures or spells that cost less and can impact the game immediately or provide greater utility, Pentavus’s high cost can be seen as inefficient in many deck strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pentavus is a flexible addition to any deck specializing in artifact synergy or requiring adaptable blockers. Its ability to split into multiple creatures or consolidate for a stronger entity allows for strategic plays during various phases of the game.

Combo Potential: This unique creature can work wonders in tandem with other cards. For example, using modules like the Arcbound series to amass +1/+1 counters, or in conjunction with proliferate abilities to expand its token-producing capacity, establishing a formidable battlefield presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors long games and incremental advantage, Pentavus stands out. It excels in environments where attrition strategies dominate, offering sustained creature generation that can outpace opponent’s removal resources over time.

How to beat

Pentavus presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering – it’s a creature that can produce and sacrifice tokens for both offensive and defensive flexibility. To effectively counter this artifact creature, players need to deploy strategies that disrupt this mechanism. Targeted removal spells that can handle artifacts, like Naturalize or Disenchant, dismantle the threat before Pentavus can generate a substantial number of tokens.

Another angle to consider is utilizing board wipes. Since Pentavus relies on a board presence to be effective, clearing the field with spells like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the game state to your advantage. It’s also beneficial to limit the mana resources of your opponent since activating Pentavus’s abilities is cost-intensive. Land destruction or counter spells directed towards mana-generating artifacts reduce their ability to use Pentavus effectively.

Finally, make sure to keep a close watch on the game state. Act swiftly before Pentavus can become an overwhelming presence. With the right removal at the right time, you can ensure that this mechanical marvel doesn’t take over the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pentavus MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Planechase, 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 Pentavus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pentavus Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-10-02	Mirrodin	MRD	226	2003	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
2	2009-09-04	Planechase	HOP	123	2003	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
3	2011-07-15	Magic 2012	M12	213	2003	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
4	2014-11-07	Commander 2014	C14	261	2015	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
5	2018-06-08	Commander Anthology Volume II	CM2	209	2015	Normal	Black	Greg Staples
6	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	C14-261	2015	Normal	Black	Greg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pentavus has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2011-09-22	You can remove any +1/+1 counter on Pentavus to activate its first activated ability, not just ones created by Pentavus’s other abilities.
2011-09-22	You can sacrifice any Pentavite creature you control (such as an Adaptive Automaton with Pentavite as its chosen type) to activate Pentavus’s second activated ability, not just ones created by Pentavus’s other abilities.