Tangle Angler MTG Card

Tangle Angler’s ability to force blocks can significantly dictate the flow of combat, offering strategic board control. Its infect mechanic pairs well with power-boosting and trample cards, adding much value to specific deck builds. While potent, Tangle Angler’s specific mana cost and activation can limit its play in multicolor decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Horror
Abilities	Infect
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	1
Toughness	5
Number	128
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Igor Kieryluk

Text of card

Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.) : Target creature blocks Tangle Angler this turn if able.

A plague on the curious.

Cards like Tangle Angler

Tangle Angler is an interesting creature card in Magic: The Gathering with a unique ability to control combat dynamics. This card invites comparisons to other creatures with the “troll-and-force” block mechanic, such as Odric, Master Tactician. Odric also manipulates combat by letting you choose how each creature blocks when you attack with him and at least three other creatures. However, Tangle Angler doesn’t require a cadre of creatures to dictate the flow of the battle.

Another parallel can be drawn with the card Breaker of Armies. While substantially larger in power and toughness, Breaker of Armies shares the ability to force blocks, causing all opposing creatures to block it if able. Tangle Angler’s strength lies in its lower cost and the infect mechanic, adding counters to your opponent’s creatures that could potentially be more devastating over time than higher direct damage.

Each of these cards has its role in shaping battlefield control, but Tangle Angler stands out for players looking for strategic advantage at a lower mana value and the potential to leverage infect counters in MTG’s complex combat scenarios.

Odric, Master Tactician - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tangle Angler by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tangle Angler offers an important angle on card advantage, not through drawing but by influencing board state. With its ability to force multiple creatures to block it, you effectively manage opponent’s resources, potentially clearing a path for other attackers or shaping future turns to your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While this creature doesn’t directly accelerate mana, it’s a strategic piece for resource allocation. Investing in a Tangle Angler can pay dividends, as it demands the opponent’s attention and can consume their resources if they are not prepared for it. This leaves them at a disadvantage for future exchanges.

Instant Speed: Although Tangle Angler itself isn’t an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed, offering strategic depth to combat. Deciding when to activate this ability allows a savvy player to wait until the most opportune moment during the battle phase, engaging in psychological play and maximizing this card’s tactical advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tangle Angler does not necessitate discarding cards, but in the broader scope of gameplay, including cards with this requirement can detract from your hand, reducing strategic flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Tangle Angler demands a specific green mana commitment which can be limiting in multicolor decks that may not reliably produce the necessary green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial investment of four mana to cast, Tangle Angler’s activation cost can strain mana resources, particularly when competing cards might provide a more immediate or impactful board presence for the same or lower cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tangle Angler is a unique inclusion in decks that center around infect or those looking to manipulate combat. With the ability to force opponents’ creatures to block it, this card is useful for clearing pathways for other attackers or for setting up defensive stands.

Combo Potential: Its infect ability pairs well with cards that increase power or give it trample. When combined with buffs, Tangle Angler can become a significant threat that not only applies pressure but also delivers poison counters efficiently.

Meta-Relevance: As the environment fluctuates, Tangle Angler serves as a tactical asset in games where board control is essential. Due to its nature, it can adapt to various situations, whether by neutralizing opponents’ creatures or acting as a deterrent, maintaining its position as a worthwhile card for collectors and strategic players alike.

How to beat

Tangle Angler presents a unique challenge in MTG, offering players a way to manipulate the flow of combat to their advantage. This creature stands out with its ability to force the opponent’s creatures to block it, making it a tactical tool for controlling enemy threats. Much like Engulfing Slagwurm or Gorm the Great, Tangle Angler redefines the combat phase dynamically.

To effectively counter this card, consider strategies that neutralize its ability without engaging it directly in combat. Removal spells such as Murder or Path to Exile bypass the combat entirely, allowing for a clean solution. Alternatively, employing creature abilities that neutralize without destroying, for instance tapping it with Icy Manipulator or pacifying it with cards like Pacifism, prevent it from forcing blocks or attacking. Gaining control over the Angler with mind control effects also turns the table on your opponent, making the creature’s ability work in your favor instead.

Navigating around Tangle Angler hinges on denying its ability to dictate the combat stage or altering it to your benefit, thus ensuring that you maintain the upper hand during the course of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tangle Angler MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Tangle Angler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tangle Angler 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 Tangle Angler card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2011-01-01	A player who has ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action.
2011-01-01	Activating Tangle Angler’s second ability doesn’t force you to attack with Tangle Angler that turn. If it doesn’t attack, the targeted creature is free to block whichever creature its controller chooses, or block no creatures at all.
2011-01-01	Damage from a source with infect affects planeswalkers normally.
2011-01-01	Damage from a source with infect is damage in all respects. If the source with infect also has lifelink, damage dealt by that source also causes its controller to gain that much life. Damage from a source with infect can be prevented or redirected. Abilities that trigger on damage being dealt will trigger if a source with infect deals damage, if appropriate.
2011-01-01	If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a player is prevented, that player doesn’t get poison counters. If damage from a source with infect that would be dealt to a creature is prevented, that creature doesn’t get -1/-1 counters.
2011-01-01	If you attack with Tangle Angler but a creature you targeted with its activated ability isn’t able to block it (for example, because an effect has granted Tangle Angler intimidate and the other creature is white), the other creature is free to block whichever creature its controller chooses, or block no creatures at all.
2011-01-01	Infect’s effect applies to any damage, not just combat damage.
2011-01-01	Tapped creatures, creatures that can’t block as the result of an effect, creatures with unpaid costs to block (such as those from War Cadence), and creatures that aren’t controlled by the defending player are exempt from effects that would require them to block. Such creatures can be targeted by Tangle Angler’s activated ability, but the requirement to block does nothing.
2011-01-01	The -1/-1 counters remain on the creature indefinitely. They’re not removed if the creature regenerates or the turn ends.
2011-01-01	You may activate Tangle Angler’s second ability multiple times in a turn to force multiple creatures to block it.