Sabertooth Mauler MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 202 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Randy Vargas |
Text of card
At the beginning of your end step, if a creature died this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on Sabertooth Mauler and untap it.
"I hope the idiot who introduced these creatures to the jungle was their first meal." —Opar, veteran guide
Cards like Sabertooth Mauler
Sabertooth Mauler finds its niche in a deck that rewards creatures for growing stronger through combat and other interactions. It takes center stage among cards that capitalize on the +1/+1 counter strategy. Comparable cards like Wildwood Scourge enter the battlefield as a scalable threat that grows whenever a +1/+1 counter is placed on another creature you control. Although the Scourge lacks the Mauler’s ability to gain trample, it can potentially become much larger over time, especially in decks built around counter synergies.
Ridge Rannet is another creature that often gets compared to Sabertooth Mauler, as both can be utilized in ramp strategies. The Rannet, however, serves a double function, helping to filter lands from the deck, thereby increasing the consistency of drawing impactful cards. Unlike the Mauler, it doesn’t have the built-in mechanism to grow bigger or acquire trample—one of the key aspects that makes the Mauler a formidable creature in the late game.
When evaluating these creatures, Sabertooth Mauler’s appeal is in its capacity to become a significant board presence if left unchecked, leveraging both the quantity of creatures involved in combat and the keyword trample to press an advantage against the opponent.
Cards similar to Sabertooth Mauler by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sabertooth Mauler can become a card advantage powerhouse in a creature-centric deck. Once it receives a +1/+1 counter, primarily through its own ability or from other sources that enhance creatures, this card continues to grow stronger each turn, outscaling your opponents’ threats.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Sabertooth Mauler itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its growing presence on the battlefield can effectively act as a deterrent, freeing up your mana and resources for other strategic plays. Its synergy with other creature-based mechanics can also lead to more efficient use of your resources.
Instant Speed: While the Sabertooth Mauler doesn’t operate at instant speed, it does have an ability that triggers at the beginning of your end step, allowing you to potentially grow it into a sizeable threat each round. This passive growth mechanic indirectly benefits from the flexibility of instant-speed plays, ensuring your opponents must always be wary of how they manage their removal resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of Sabertooth Mauler is the potential for a forced discard when leveraging certain synergies. This could lead to a diminished hand size, impacting your ability to respond to opponents’ moves.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Sabertooth Mauler requires both green mana symbols, which may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored or non-green decks. Players will need to consider their mana base carefully to ensure they can meet this requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Sabertooth Mauler offers creature growth potential, its four mana entry point might be considered steep. There are alternative creatures in the MTG universe that could command the board sooner or provide immediate value upon entry.
Reasons to Include Sabertooth Mauler in Your Collection
Versatility: Sabertooth Mauler finds a place in decks that thrive on +1/+1 counter strategies and synergize with creatures growing stronger. Its adaptability to various situations makes it a valuable asset, especially in green decks focused on creature-based aggression or counters.
Combo Potential: This card scales well as the game progresses, pairing nicely with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that increases the number of counters on your creatures. It can become a powerhouse in the right setup, making it a force to be reckoned with during game play.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where the board state often fluctuates with creatures entering and leaving the battlefield, Sabertooth Mauler can be a timely addition that grows in strength, potentially turning the tides in your favor during those crucial mid-game turns.
How to beat Sabertooth Mauler
The challenge that Sabertooth Mauler presents in Magic: The Gathering lies in its growing threat level each turn. Acknowledged chiefly for its ability to potentially bulk up on every one of your end steps, it requires a certain strategy to effectively counter. Its strength isn’t immediate—it must rely on either card synergy or a gameplay scenario where creatures are sent to the graveyard from either battlefield to grow.
One strategy to consider when facing this creature is to maintain creature removal options in your deck. Swift responses like Shock or Fatal Push enables you to remove it before it gets out of hand. Enchantment-based creature control such as Pacifism can neutralize it without sending it to the graveyard, ensuring that it won’t trigger its ability. Another effective method is to prevent the condition that powers its growth—keep your creatures from dying or use graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace to negate the growth trigger.
In essence, the key to beating Sabertooth Mauler lies in adopting a proactive approach towards creature control, managing the board state, and controlling the flow of creatures to and from the graveyard. Addressing it early through removal or negation ensures that this feline threat doesn’t evolve into an insurmountable one.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sabertooth Mauler MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Sabertooth Mauler 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sabertooth Mauler 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 |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sabertooth Mauler card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | If a creature didn't die before your end step begins, Sabertooth Mauler's ability doesn't trigger at all. The creature may have died before Sabertooth Mauler entered the battlefield, however. |
| 2020-06-23 | The triggered ability triggers just once, no matter how many creatures died this turn. |