Manaplasm MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 138
2016-08-26 - Number 186
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Ooze |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Manaplasm grows with each spell cast, turning your entire spell arsenal into threat amplifiers.
- Casting cheap or instant spells bulks up Manaplasm significantly, adding pressure on opponents.
- Instant removal or strategic control keeps Manaplasm’s power in check during gameplay.
Text of card
Whenever you play a spell, Manaplasm gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
Urak froze when he heard it. That was his first mistake. He turned and cast a dramatic ward spell. That was his last.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Manaplasm shines by growing its power and toughness each time you cast a spell, effectively turning all your spells into potential threats. This can overwhelm your opponent as they must address not only your spells but also the ever-growing Manaplasm.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, Manaplasm encourages a deck strategy that includes cheap spells or cantrips. This way, you can cast multiple spells in a single turn, skyrocketing Manaplasm’s size and increasing the pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: The nature of Manaplasm makes it particularly symbiotic with instant spells. Casting spells at instant speed on your opponent’s turn not only maximizes surprise and tactical advantages but also inflates Manaplasm’s size right before your attack, catching opponents off guard and potentially turning the tide of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Manaplasm doesn’t require discarding as an intrinsic part of its cost, it does heavily rely on casting other spells to be effective. This can indirectly lead to a depleting hand, which might put you at a disadvantage if you’re unable to replenish your resources quickly.
Specific Mana Cost: Manaplasm necessitates both green and colorless mana to summon, which can be restrictive for decks that aren’t focused on a green mana base or that have a more diverse mana strategy. This specific dependency can hamper the flexibility in deck-building.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana may seem moderate, but in a fast-paced game, it becomes costly if you can’t capitalize on the card’s potential quickly. The card’s value is entirely dependent on the ability to play other spells within the same turn or sequence, which can be a challenging feat, especially in the early game.
Reasons to Include Manaplasm in Your Collection
Versatility: Manaplasm is an adaptable creature card that can thrive in various deck styles. It gains strength from every spell you cast during your turn, easily becoming a formidable force regardless of your preferred playstyle.
Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to grow in power with each cast spell makes it a prime candidate for combo-centric decks. Imagine the possibilities with cheap cantrips or storm cards that rapidly bulk up your Manaplasm for an overwhelming attack.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where spells are slung left and right, Manaplasm becomes increasingly valuable. Against an opponent who’s setting up their board, deploying Manaplasm early can pressure them to respond before it spirals out of control, shifting the tempo in your favor.
How to Beat Manaplasm
Manaplasm is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to become overwhelmingly powerful during the cast of big spells. This creature grows in strength equal to the total cost of the spells you cast each turn, making it a potentially formidable threat on the battlefield.
Countering this threat requires a strategy focused on timely removal or control. Utilize instant-speed removal spells to dispatch Manaplasm before it can amplify its power. Spells like Fatal Push, Path to Exile, or Doom Blade can be highly effective if cast in response to a spell that would otherwise boost the Manaplasm’s size. Control decks can maintain the upper hand by denying key spells with counterspells, thus keeping Manaplasm’s size in check before it spirals out of control.
Playing around Manaplasm’s strengths involves strategically timing your spells and holding onto your removal until the most opportune moment. In a game that often hinges on powerful creature spells, keeping Manaplasm off the board or neutering its effectiveness is crucial to maintaining the flow of the game in your favor.
Cards like Manaplasm
Manaplasm occupies a unique niche in Magic: The Gathering as a creature that thrives on spellcasting. It draws a parallel to creatures like Chasm Skulker, which grows with each card you draw. While both cards expand under certain conditions, Chasm Skulker doesn’t have the immediate board impact that a single large spell can achieve with Manaplasm. Meanwhile, there’s Quirion Dryad, a creature that gains counters only from casting spells of colors different from its own. Manaplasm, however, is less restrictive and can grow significantly from any spell, including colorless ones.
Another card worth mentioning is Psychotrope Thallid, which allows you to draw cards by sacrificing saprolings. Although it interacts with casting spells indirectly by facilitating card draw, Manaplasm directly becomes a potential threat with each spell cast. This instant growth makes it a card that can’t be ignored on the battlefield. Finally, we have Taurean Mauler, a creature that becomes larger with every spell your opponents cast. Unlike Manaplasm, which benefits from your actions, Taurean Mauler is reactive, growing due to opponent’s moves. Each of these has its merits, but Manaplasm truly shines by converting your magical prowess into raw power instantly.
Evaluating Manaplasm alongside similar creatures, its immediate and potentially massive growth makes it an enticing option for players who want to capitalize on casting spells to create an imposing board presence.
Cards similar to Manaplasm by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Manaplasm MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Manaplasm and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Manaplasm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 138 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 186 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Manaplasm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Manaplasm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Converted mana cost takes into account only the mana symbols printed in the upper right corner of the card. Manaplasm doesn’t care about additional costs, alternative costs, cost-reduction effects, or what you actually paid to cast the spell. |
| 2008-10-01 | While a spell with in its cost is on the stack, its converted mana cost takes the chosen value of X into account. For example, if you cast Blaze (a spell with the mana cost ) and choose a value of 5 for that X, then your Manaplasm will get +6/+6 until end of turn. |
