Silverback Ape MTG Card

Maintains card advantage indirectly, as it demands answers usually costing opponents more resources. Its mana efficiency represents an advantageous trade-off in power-focused green decks. Lack of versatility and high mana cost can restrict deck building, especially in non-monocolor decks.

Starter 1999 (S99)
1999-07-01 - Number 141

Eighth Edition (8ED)
2003-07-28 - Number S7

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Ape
Power	5
Toughness	5

Cards like Silverback Ape

The Silverback Ape card offers a simplistic yet robust presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It provides a sturdy creature option compared to other green creatures in its class. With a solid 5/5 body, it’s on par with cards like Leatherback Baloth, which also offers significant muscle for its mana cost. However, unlike Silverback Ape, Leatherback Baloth lacks the ability to regenerate, a key trait that can keep Silverback Ape in play through adverse situations.

Setting its sights to other relatives, we come across Rumbling Baloth. It shares Silverback Ape’s simplicity in being a no-frills creature with a 4/4 body for the same casting cost. While it may not have the regenerative resilience of Silverback Ape, its lower mana cost for a nearly as effective presence cannot be overlooked. And if we’re discussing options in the ape family, we certainly cannot forget the Kird Ape. Although it’s not as powerful out of the gate, its potential stat boost with land synergy makes it an interesting choice for early aggression.

Ultimately, while analyzing these creatures, Silverback Ape stands out due to its reliable and protective ability, ensuring its longevity on the battlefield. It embodies a pure form of green’s strength and durability within Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Silverback Ape by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Silverback Ape isn’t directly associated with card draw; however, its sheer presence on the battlefield demands an answer from your opponent. By requiring your opponent to deal with it, often through a two-for-one trade, you indirectly maintain card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While the Silverback Ape doesn’t offer traditional forms of ramp or resource acceleration, its substantial size for its mana cost often means you’re getting more power and toughness per mana spent, which can be considered a form of efficiency and resource advantage.

Instant Speed: The Silverback Ape is a creature card and thus doesn’t have instant speed capabilities in itself. However, in decks that synergize with creature casting or with flash enabling cards, it could potentially surprise an unprepared opponent if played at the right moment, much like instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Silverback Ape doesn’t explicitly require a discard to cast, its presence in your deck means you’ll need to consider if the benefits of playing it outweigh the potential card advantage you could lose by including more versatile creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: Silverback Ape comes with a notable mana requirement: triple green. This can be restrictive for those looking to play a diverse deck, as it leans heavily into green mana and narrows deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost, Silverback Ape may seem underwhelming compared to other creatures with similar mana values that offer additional abilities or have a stronger impact on the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Silverback Ape’s solid stats make it a strong addition to green decks that focus on power play. Its ability to serve as a dependable blocker or formidable attacker gives you flexibility in your gameplay, catering to both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: Though not an infinite combo enabler, Silverback Ape works well with cards that capitalize on strong creatures. It can synergize with cards that allow creature-based mana ramp or those that grant additional effects upon casting creatures with substantial power.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where smaller creatures are prevalent, Silverback Ape stands tall. Its imposing presence on the board can shift the tide of battle, making it relevant in metas dominated by ground-based combat where a strong creature can make a significant impact.

How to beat

Silverback Ape stands out in MTG as a creature that brings significant strength to the battlefield with its formidable power and toughness. With these robust stats, the creature can present a challenge for many decks. To effectively tackle the Silverback Ape, it’s essential to consider creature removal options or spells that can neutralize creatures without having to engage them in combat.

Strategies might include utilizing spells that can exile or destroy creatures regardless of their size, such as Path to Exile or Murder. Also effective are spells that force the creature’s controller to sacrifice it, avoiding potential combat tricks or hexproof abilities. Ensnaring board control enchantments that keep the Ape tapped down, or prevent it from attacking or blocking, can also be of great use.

In conclusion, while Silverback Ape can be a powerhouse on the board, there are a variety of ways to manage the threat it poses. By keeping a selection of targeted removal or control spells in your deck, you can ensure that you’re prepared to deal with creatures that might otherwise dominate the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Silverback Ape MTG card by a specific set like Starter 1999 and Eighth 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 Silverback Ape and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Silverback Ape Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-07-01 and 2003-07-28. Illustrated by Ron Spears.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1999-07-01	Starter 1999	S99		141	1997	Normal	White	Ron Spears
2	2003-07-28	Eighth Edition	8ED		S7	2003	Normal	White	Ron Spears

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Silverback Ape has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal