Mawcor MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Mawcor grants card advantage by forcing opponents to discard, tactically tilting the game’s balance.
  2. Its instant speed ability allows players to disrupt the opponent’s strategy at critical moments.
  3. While Mawcor is mana-intensive and deck-specific, its strategic benefits can justify inclusion.

Text of card

Flying oc T: Mawcor deals 1 damage to target creature or player.

From its maw comes neither word nor whisper—only wind.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The compelling aspect of Mawcor is its ability to disrupt your opponent’s strategy by forcing them to discard a card. This not only diminishes their resources but simultaneously pads your hand, granting you valuable card advantage that can tilt the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Mawcor’s presence on the board serves as a deterrent, discouraging opponents from summoning their most valuable creatures. This tactical hindrance can effectively stall the game, giving you precious time to marshal your resources and build a dominating presence.

Instant Speed: One of Mawcor’s distinguishing features is its ability to operate at instant speed, meaning you can activate its ability whenever you deem it most impactful. This versatility lets you respond adaptively to the unfolding game, capitalizing on the perfect moment to disrupt your adversary’s plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mawcor demands a discard as part of its casting cost, potentially depleting your hand and compromising your gameplay strategy, particularly if you’re managing a tightly resourced deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Mawcor’s casting cost includes both blue and black mana, which might not seamlessly fit in all deck types, possibly restricting its inclusion to only specific blue-black decks and impacting its overall flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher side, Mawcor might not be the most mana-efficient creature considering its power and ability set, especially when there are alternative creatures that provide more value or impact earlier in the game.


Reasons to Include Mawcor in Your Collection

Versatility: Mawcor is a unique creature that offers a variety of strategic options. Its ability to deal damage directly to any target gives it a role in controlling the board, while also posing a threat to opponents’ life totals. Its flexibility makes it an excellent choice for blue-centered control or midrange decks.

Combo Potential: With its tap ability to ping any target, Mawcor can be paired with cards that untap creatures or double damage to create powerful combos. This allows for the potential to control the board or even secure a win condition through direct damage.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creatures form the backbone of many successful decks, having a creature like Mawcor that can disrupt opponents’ strategies can be extremely beneficial. Particularly in metas with creature-heavy decks, Mawcor’s capability to consistently remove key threats can be invaluable.


How to beat

Mawcor presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, as it’s renowned for its flying ability and the dreaded tap ability which allows it to deal damage directly to a creature or player. To effectively counter Mawcor, players need to be strategic. First, since Mawcor can be neutralized when tapped, instant speed removal spells are key. Cards like Murder, which can destroy a creature regardless of its size, and Lightning Bolt, with its ability to deal damage before Mawcor’s effect activates, are vital. Furthermore, creatures with reach or those equipped with artifacts granting the same, can be formidable defenders against this flying menace.

Another perspective involves circumventing Mawcor’s abilities by employing hexproof creatures or spells like Blossoming Defense to shield your board from targeted abilities. Enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism also strip Mawcor of its utility without having to remove it from the field. Lastly, players must always consider the mana curve. Mawcor requires a substantial resource investment, so maintaining pressure and advancing your board presence rapidly can outpace the opponent before they stabilize with Mawcor. Tactical foresight and precise response timing, therefore, form the cornerstone of overcoming the formidable Mawcor.


Cards like Mawcor

Mawcor is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that brings versatility to the table. Looking at similar flying creatures, we find Air Elemental, another classic flyer with a sturdy 4/4 body. Unlike Mawcor, however, Air Elemental doesn’t have the ability to deal damage to other creatures or players. This capability allows Mawcor to actively decrease the size of your opponent’s creature army or chip away at their life total even when it’s not attacking.

Another creature worth comparing is Prodigal Sorcerer. Known affectionately as “Tim” within the MTG community, Prodigal Sorcerer shares the tap-to-deal-damage ability, connecting it directly to Mawcor. While Prodigal Sorcerer has a lower cost and weaker stats, it’s also able to poke enemies from a distance. Mawcor, though requiring more mana, provides a stronger presence on the board and a more significant threat given its ability to dish out 2 damage instead of just 1.

When evaluating the utility and impact of such creatures, Mawcor holds a strong position, especially for players looking to control the board. Its inherent flexibility and formidable power/toughness ratio make it a valuable part of many MTG arsenals, particularly for those favoring blue-centric decks that leverage flying and direct damage.

Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Mawcor by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions
Belltower Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Mirror-Mad Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Doppelganger - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Water Elemental - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Air Elemental - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Sandbar Crocodile - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Pirate Ship - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Segovian Leviathan - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Timin, Youthful Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Geology Enthusiast - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Coastal Hornclaw - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Cloudhoof Kirin - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Drelnoch - Coldsnap (CSP)
Adarkar Windform - Coldsnap (CSP)
Infiltrator il-Kor - Future Sight (FUT)
Mulldrifter - The List (PLST)
Chasm Drake - Magic 2012 (M12)
Belltower Sphinx - Magic 2012 (M12)
Mirror-Mad Phantasm - Innistrad (ISD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mawcor MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Seventh Edition, 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 Mawcor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mawcor Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 751997normalblackJohn Matson
22001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 871997normalwhiteKev Walker
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 87★1997normalblackKev Walker
42015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 592015normalblackJohn Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mawcor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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