Petravark MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Nightmare Beast |
| Released | 2002-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Torment |
| Set code | TOR |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 109 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne England |
Text of card
When Petravark comes into play, remove target land from the game. When Petravark leaves play, return the removed card to play under its owner's control.
Cards like Petravark
Petravark holds an intriguing position in the pantheon of creature-based land disruption in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some traits with Ruin Ghost – both cards have the power to remove a land from the battlefield temporarily. However, Petravark offers a nuance; upon entering or leaving the battlefield, it targets a land and returns it tapped during the next untap step. This aspect delays an opponent’s access to that mana source, adding a layer of strategy.
In comparison, we have cards like Avalanche Riders and Fulminator Mage. Both creatures directly destroy a land, but they diverge in their secondary abilities and mana cost. Fulminator Mage offers more flexibility with its potential sacrifice at instant speed, whereas Avalanche Riders require a mana investment to maintain its presence on the battlefield. What Petravark lacks in permanent removal, it makes up for in mana curve efficiency.
Assessing Petravark and its counterparts, one understands the trade-offs between temporary disruption and outright destruction. While not as decisive as its land-razing peers, Petravark can be a cog in the gears of an opponent’s strategy, especially when timing and mana conservation are key.
Cards similar to Petravark by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Petravark, though not a direct source of card draw, offers tactical advantages by temporarily removing an opponent’s land, disrupting their strategy and potentially yielding an indirect form of card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Petravark doesn’t generate additional resources like mana or tokens, the removal of an opponent’s land can set them back, functioning as a form of resource deceleration on their end which indirectly benefits your tempo.
Instant Speed: Petravark itself doesn’t have an instant-speed ability, but its enter the battlefield effect provides utility similar to an instant-speed land disruption spell, making it versatile within various phases of your turn or even as a strategic move during an opponent’s turn if reanimated or flickered.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Petravark compels a player to return a land card to their hand, which can disrupt mana availability, particularly troublesome if you’re strategizing for a crucial play.
Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a need for specific mana types to cast. The two-mana requirement includes red, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck frameworks, particularly those running on a diverse or alternate mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Petravark’s effect, returning a land card to its owner’s hand at a cost of three mana, might be viewed unfavorably when compared to other creatures or spells that offer more impactful board presence or land interaction at a similar, if not lower, cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Petravark offers flexibility in deck builds that require tactical creature removal. This creature can target nonbasic lands, which are prevalent in numerous deck archetypes, making it a resourceful tool in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card provides a unique angle for combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on enter the battlefield or leave the battlefield effects. Its ability to temporarily exile a land can be part of larger combo chains, potentially disrupting an opponent’s mana base at crucial moments.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where land-based strategies are key, Petravark becomes extremely relevant. Its capability to interfere with opponents’ land resources can be crucial in matches where timing and control over mana are paramount to securing victory.
How to Beat Petravark
Understanding how to navigate around the nuances of Petravark can be integral in maintaining control of the battlefield in MTG. Petravark has the ability to exile target land when it enters the battlefield and returns the exiled card when it leaves the battlefield. This effect can be particularly disruptive if you heavily rely on specific land synergies or need all your mana sources operational.
To effectively counter Petravark, consider using instant-speed removal spells to eliminate it before its leave-the-battlefield trigger can return the exiled land. Removing it in response to the enter-the-battlefield ability will ensure that your land remains exiled, so timing is key. Also, graveyard manipulation can be a strategy to contend with Petravark; cards that can exile it from the graveyard prevent it from being reused by your opponent. Additionally, cards that grant hexproof to your lands or make them indestructible can also nullify Petravark’s effectiveness.
In essence, the goal is to minimize the impact Petravark has on your game plan. Whether through smart removal, grave management, or protective measures for your lands, ensuring Petravark’s abilities are mitigated can help maintain your tactical advantage and fortify your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Petravark MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Petravark 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Petravark has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |