Prowling Caracal MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 17
2019-07-12 - Number 309
2019-11-07 - Number 203
2020-09-26 - Number RNA-17
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Prowling Caracal
Prowling Caracal is a familiar sight for veterans and newcomers alike to the rosters of creature cards available in Magic: The Gathering. This agile feline mirrors the structure of cards like Savannah Lions, both showcasing a 2/1 body, though the Caracal lacks the once famed ‘one mana’ cost. These budget-friendly creatures are ideal for building early pressure on opponents without a substantial mana investment.
Exploring the ecosystem of similar cards, we encounter Charging Badger. Like the Prowling Caracal, the Badger offers an aggressive one-drop creature, but with the bonus of trample to push through defensive lines. In contrast, Caracal’s strength lies in its ability to slip into White Weenie or creature-based strategies without specific deck requirements.
Stepping into the fray is Raptor Companion, another comparable creature card that provides players with a straightforward 3/1 stat line. While it demands one additional mana compared to the Caracal, it compensates with increased power, potentially offering a faster clock against opponents.
Scouting the landscape of early game creatures, Prowling Caracal positions itself as a solid choice for enthusiasts keen on pressuring the opponent right from the start, while maintaining the agility to adapt across various MTG strategies.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Prowling Caracal, while not directly influencing card draw, can apply pressure early in the game, requiring opponents to answer it and potentially using more resources than they would like to do so.
Resource Acceleration: Prowling Caracal itself doesn’t accelerate resources but as a low-cost creature, it allows you to maintain mana availability for other spells and strategies you may have in your deck while still developing your board presence.
Instant Speed: Although Prowling Caracal is a creature card meant to be cast during your main phases, its presence can influence instant-speed decisions. Knowing you have a steady attacker can enable you to strategize with your instant speed removal or buff spells, timing them for maximum efficiency during the combat phase or at the end of your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although the Prowling Caracal doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it can be indirectly affected. For instance, if the deck relies on card advantage, having to discard for other spells might reduce the chances of drawing this creature when you need it most.
Specific Mana Cost: Prowling Caracal requires a specific white mana in its casting cost. This specificity can make it less flexible for decks that operate on a multicolor basis, potentially limiting its integration into varied strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost, Prowling Caracal’s stats might not stack up favorably against other creatures in the same range. In an environment where efficiency is key, the Caracal may be overshadowed by other creatures offering more impact on the board state relative to their mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Prowling Caracal is a flexible option for creature-based decks, offering a solid early-game presence that can pressure life totals or act as an effective blocker.
Combo Potential: This agile cat synergizes well with cards that benefit from having creatures with high power relative to their cost or from effects that trigger on attacking creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that rewards quick offensive strategies, Prowling Caracal has the potential to shine as a low-cost, high-impact asset that can keep pace with rapid tempo plays.
How to beat Prowling Caracal
Prowling Caracal is a straightforward creature card in Magic: The Gathering known for its simplicity and agility on the battlefield. It’s a common sight in decks that value quick, early attacks. However, despite its initial speed, overcoming this feline creature is a task well within reach for prepared players.
One effective strategy is to employ creature control spells or abilities to handle Prowling Caracal before it starts chipping away at your life total. Removal spells such as Shock or Dead Weight can easily dispatch the Caracal, thanks to its modest toughness. Cards with deathtouch are also excellent for deterring attacks since even a trade with the smallest deathtouch creature will eliminate the Caracal.
Additionally, deploying creatures with higher toughness can serve as an effective blockade against the Caracal. These blockers discourage attacks and can potentially outlast multiple encounters with it. Whichever method you choose, remember that Prowling Caracal thrives on its swiftness and early pressure, but with careful planning and the right cards, this wildcat can be quickly tamed and controlled on the MTG battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Prowling Caracal MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Core Set 2020, 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 Prowling Caracal and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Prowling Caracal Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jonathan Kuo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 2 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 309 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 203 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | RNA-17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonathan Kuo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Prowling Caracal 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |