Pouncing Jaguar MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 269
1999-01-01 - Number 2
1999-08-04 - Number ml269
2002-06-24 - Number 36110
2020-09-26 - Number USG-269
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Abilities | Echo |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Echo (During your next upkeep after this permanent comes under your control, pay its casting cost or sacrifice it.)
One pounce, she's hungry—you die quickly. Two, she's teaching her cubs—you're in for a long day.
Cards like Pouncing Jaguar
Pouncing Jaguar holds a unique position in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the dynamics of other one green mana creatures, such as the nimble Elf Warrior Llanowar Elves. While Llanowar Elves is famed for its mana ramping ability, Pouncing Jaguar offers an entirely different advantage with its ‘echo’ mechanic, which requires equal mana to be paid during the next upkeep or the creature is sacrificed.
Another similar creature is the classic Kird Ape, which has the potential to be just as powerful with the right land in play, boosting its power if you own a forest. Though unlike Pouncing Jaguar, it doesn’t have the echo cost, providing a more stable board presence without additional mana investment. Comparably, Wild Nacatl also gains power and toughness through land synergy, but it demands a wider variety of lands to reach its full potential without the downside of the echo cost.
These comparisons highlight how Pouncing Jaguar offers a blend of aggressive early gameplay with a built-in challenge of balancing resources in your subsequent turn. Its place among one-drop creatures is both noteworthy for its early pressure and strategic echo cost that can shape the tempo of the game.
Cards similar to Pouncing Jaguar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Pouncing Jaguar doesn’t draw cards directly, it is an efficient creature allowing for early board presence. Its echo cost can also be utilized strategically to keep a streamlined hand while pressuring opponents.
Resource Acceleration: As a one mana 2/2 creature, Pouncing Jaguar offers a significant power and toughness per mana cost ratio. This efficiency can lead to faster development and more resources to commit to other spells and actions in the game.
Instant Speed: Although the Pouncing Jaguar doesn’t have flash, its low casting cost enables swift plays, keeping mana available for instant speed interactions on the opponent’s turn. This characteristic allows for nimble playstyles and maintaining the momentum in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Even though Pouncing Jaguar does not have a direct discard requirement, its reliance on the Echo cost means that if you are unable to pay the Echo cost on the following turn, it essentially forces a discard of the creature itself. This can become a significant drawback when managing your hand and battlefield resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Pouncing Jaguar requires one green mana to cast. This specific mana cost makes it less flexible for multi-colored decks which might not always have the green mana readily available when needed. Players using decks that aren’t green-heavy may find this to be restrictive.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Pouncing Jaguar’s initial casting cost is low, its Echo cost requires you to pay the mana cost again on the next turn. This effectively doubles the mana cost and could hinder your ability to play other cards. In comparison to other one-mana creatures that don’t have additional costs, the Echo requirement might be seen as a less efficient use of resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pouncing Jaguar, with its low casting cost and echo ability, becomes a nimble asset in a wide range of aggressive decks. It’s particularly effective in strategies that emphasize quick board presence and early threats.
Combo Potential: As a creature that can potentially be played multiple times thanks to its echo cost, this card works well with mechanics that reward you for casting creatures or having a constant presence on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given its efficiency at one mana for a 2/2 body, Pouncing Jaguar holds its own in environments where speed is crucial. Its capability to trade with early threats or deal early damage can be critical in shaping the pace of the game.
How to beat
Pouncing Jaguar presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This swiftly moving creature from the realm of MTG boasts an eye-catching Echo cost and a respectable 2/2 body for a single green mana. It demands immediate attention, or it will continue to claw its way through defenses with potential boosts from its forest-dwelling allies.
Overcoming this feline foe requires strategic creature management. Removal spells that can target creatures irrespective of their size or cost, like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, prove highly effective. Matching the Jaguar’s pace with low-cost blockers can also stymie its attacks, making it less of a threat on the board. Players fond of control decks would benefit from sweepers like Wrath of God to clear the field of such agile threats.
Tackling Pouncing Jaguar early is key, as letting it roam free with support from other creature-enhancing spells or enchantments only makes it more formidable. In summary, deploying timely removal or introducing robust defenders helps keep the Pouncing Jaguar in check, ensuring it doesn’t leap towards a quick victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pouncing Jaguar MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Arena League 1999, 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 Jaguar 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
Printings
The Pouncing Jaguar Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 1999-08-04. Illustrated by Daren Bader.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 269 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 2 | 1999-01-01 | Arena League 1999 | PAL99 | 2 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 3 | 1999-08-04 | World Championship Decks 1999 | WC99 | ml269 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Daren Bader | |
| 4 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36110 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | ||
| 5 | The List | PLST | USG-269 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pouncing Jaguar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |