Pouncing Cheetah MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 179
2019-11-07 - Number 1296
2020-07-17 - Number 419
2020-08-13 - Number 207
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-179
Text of card
Rhonas's monument is home to a wider variety of creatures than anywhere else in the city of Naktamun—a feature most initiates fail to appreciate.
Cards like Pouncing Cheetah
Pouncing Cheetah is a nifty creature card that offers a blend of agility and surprise in the gameplay of Magic: The Gathering. This card can be compared to other three-cost creatures like the stalwart Centaur Courser, which also provides a solid 3/3 body on the battlefield. However, Pouncing Cheetah boasts the benefit of flash, allowing it to jump into play at virtually any time, much like surprise defender Ambush Viper, yet without the deathtouch.
When looking at the creature curve, Pouncing Cheetah also contends with the likes of Watcher in the Web, which offers a wider defensive reach with its spider abilities, but lacks the element of surprise. This can be crucial for interrupting adversary strategies or sneaking in damage. Another parallel can be drawn with the aggressive Goblin Smuggler, which also operates at three mana and has the potential to impact the board immediately, although through haste rather than flash and with a less sturdy 2/2 form.
Ultimately, Pouncing Cheetah finds its niche in offering the rare combination of a decent creature stat line with the unpredictable and strategic element of flash, ensuring it holds its own among similar three-drop creatures within the dynamic ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Pouncing Cheetah by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Pouncing Cheetah doesn’t draw cards directly, it can surprise an opponent by appearing mid-combat as a blocker or aggressor, potentially dispatching an enemy creature and swinging the board in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While Pouncing Cheetah doesn’t generate mana, it efficiently utilizes the mana you have available. At three mana with a 3/2 body, it’s placed on the curve nicely to make optimal use of your resources at a critical point in the game.
Instant Speed: The true strength of Pouncing Cheetah lies in its ability to be cast at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to react to your opponent’s actions, keep them guessing, and potentially disrupt their strategy by introducing an unexpected blocker or attacker during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Pouncing Cheetah does not directly require a discard, it doesn’t offset any card disadvantage upon entering the battlefield. In a game where resources are key, its lack of impact on your hand size can be a downside, particularly in the later game stages.
Specific Mana Cost: Pouncing Cheetah demands a specific mana arrangement with two generic and one green mana. Unfortunately, this can restrict this card to green-centric decks or those with ample mana-fixing – potentially deterring a broader range of deck types from including it in their lineup.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 3/2 creature, the Cheetah’s stats may not justify its expense, especially considering alternative green creatures in MTG that can provide greater board presence or additional abilities at a similar or even lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include Pouncing Cheetah in Your Collection
Versatility: Pouncing Cheetah’s flash ability allows it to be a surprise blocker or an end-of-turn threat, fitting perfectly into decks that like to keep mana open for instant-speed interactions.
Combo Potential: This agile creature can be paired with cards that reward you for casting creatures during your opponent’s turn or for having an abundance of creatures with specific abilities like flash.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment with aggressive strategies, having a flash creature that can be summoned to block or apply pressure without foregoing other plays can be pivotal.
How to beat
Pouncing Cheetah offers MTG players a quick creature with flash, enabling it to be a surprise blocker or end-of-turn play. Its ability can catch opponents off guard, especially during combat phases when they might not anticipate an additional blocker. While Pouncing Cheetah doesn’t have the highest stats, its agility on the battlefield makes it quite the tactical card.
To effectively counter Pouncing Cheetah, removal spells that don’t target, like board wipes, are highly effective since they bypass its flash advantage. Additionally, cards with reach or those that can be cast at instant speed disrupt the tempo advantage Pouncing Cheetah provides. Keeping mana open to respond to it can also deter your opponent from playing the card preemptively.
Making the most of instant-speed interaction ensures that the cheetah lands on the battlefield on your terms, not your opponent’s. In this vein, understanding and anticipating the play patterns of decks that utilize Pouncing Cheetah could give you an upper hand, allowing you to prepare for its arrival, thus blunting its impact and maintaining control over the game’s flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pouncing Cheetah MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Mystery Booster, 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 Pouncing Cheetah 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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Printings
The Pouncing Cheetah Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 179 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1296 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 419 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 4 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 207 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | AKH-179 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pouncing Cheetah has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.