Mageta the Lion MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Spellshaper
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	13
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brom

Key Takeaways

Clear the board and gain card advantage, especially if more of the opponent’s creatures are removed.
Combos with graveyard dynamics present significant opportunity for resource acceleration.
Discard and mana costs demand strategic play in deck construction and gameplay.

Text of card

o Wo W, oc T, Discard two cards from your hand: Destroy all creatures except for Mageta the Lion. Those creatures can't be regenerated.

In the jungle of war there is always a Lion.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mageta the Lion offers a unique way to reset the board. By discarding two cards, players can wipe the field of creatures, paving the way for maintaining board dominance. This can equate to massive card advantage if it removes more from the opponent’s side than your own.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that benefit from creatures hitting the graveyard or discarding cards, Mageta can inadvertently accelerate your resources. This plays well with abilities like reanimation or graveyard synergy strategies.

Instant Speed: The ability to clear the board during any player’s turn grants flexibility and surprise factor. By holding up the mana for Mageta’s ability, you can navigate around the opponent’s plans and disrupt their strategy at a critical moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mageta the Lion requires you to discard two cards as a part of its activation cost. This hefty demand can deplete your hand quickly, making it a tough choice in games where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature demands a precise mana commitment of two white and three generic mana. This specific cost can be a barrier in multicolored decks that might not consistently produce the necessary white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost totaling five mana, Mageta the Lion can be a significant drain on resources. Considering its board-wiping ability also requires a substantial activation cost, there could be more mana-efficient sweepers available for controlling the battlefield.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mageta the Lion offers a unique flexibility in white control or midrange decks. As a recurring board wipe option, it allows players to reset the battlefield, maintaining the ability to adapt to various threats that may arise during the game.

Combo Potential: With this card, the potential for combos is significant. Pairing Mageta the Lion with cards that allow you to recover discarded cards, or with creatures that benefit from death and reanimation mechanics, can lead to powerful gameplay loops that seize the advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-heavy strategies are prevalent, having a reliable way to clear the board while maintaining a board presence yourself can be game-changing. Mageta the Lion’s activated ability complements decks that aim to assert control and regain tempo against such strategies.

How to beat

Mageta the Lion presents a unique tactical challenge in the world of MTG. As a creature with an ability to essentially reset the battlefield, players facing it should consider strategies that capitalize on timing and card advantage. One effective method to counter this powerful lion is to bait its ability and then rebuild quickly. Cards that can be played from the graveyard, such as those with the Flashback or Unearth abilities, can create a resilience that is tough for Mageta the Lion to effectively contend with.

Instant-speed spells and abilities are also key when going up against Mageta. Holding back on casting spells until the end of the opponent’s turn can apply pressure, forcing them to choose between using Mageta’s ability or leaving themselves open to a counterstrike. Alternatively, employing creatures with Indestructible or Hexproof can ensure your board presence remains unaffected by Mageta’s board wipe ability, leaving you in a commanding position to take over the game.

Consideration of the mana investment required to activate Mageta the Lion is crucial. By forcing the activation multiple times, you can drain resources from your opponent, since they need to discard two cards and pay three mana each time, ultimately leading to a depletion of their hand and leaving them at a strategic disadvantage.

Cards like Mageta the Lion

Mageta the Lion is a notable creature in Magic: The Gathering due to its innate board-wiping ability. When assessing similar cards, we find Wrath of God to be a classic parallel. Wrath of God is a renowned sorcery that clears the battlefield without conditions. Mageta the Lion, on the other hand, requires discarding two cards and some mana investment to activate its ability, which adds a strategic layer.

Another comparable card is Nevinyrral’s Disk. This artifact has a built-in mechanism to destroy creatures and other types of permanents. While it shares the comprehensive removal aspect with Mageta the Lion, it differs as it needs a turn to set up since it enters the battlefield tapped, potentially offering opponents a window to respond.

Finally, we can look at Akroma’s Vengeance. It’s a broader sweep, clearing out artifacts, enchantments, and creatures. However, Mageta the Lion provides a reusable effect tucked in a creature, which can repeatedly threaten to clean the board, albeit at a more substantial personal card cost.

In essence, while Mageta the Lion shares its board-clearing theme with these cards, its recurring utility and creature type give it a unique position in the lexicon of MTG control options.

Cards similar to Mageta the Lion by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mageta the Lion MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Mageta the Lion and other MTG cards: