Thantis, the Warweaver MTG Card


Thantis, the Warweaver fosters card advantage through manipulating combat, shaping the game’s momentum. Its presence yields indirect resource acceleration while providing a unique form of board control. Despite its high mana cost and specific color requirements, Thantis’s versatility makes it compelling.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Spider
Abilities Reach, Vigilance
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Vigilance, reach All creatures attack each combat if able. Whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, put a +1/+1 counter on Thantis, the Warweaver.

She spins a web few can resist. Its sweet aroma sparks chaos in every heart.


Cards like Thantis, the Warweaver

In the MTG universe, Thantis the Warweaver joins the ranks of compelling commander contenders with its unique ability to force creatures to attack each turn. This card finds peers in the likes of Marisi, Breaker of the Coil and Gahiji, Honored One. Like Thantis, Marisi also coerces combat, yet its impact is subtler by not enforcing direct attacks every turn. Conversely, Gahiji, Honored One incentivizes aggression with bonuses to attacking creatures, offering a carrot rather than Thantis’s stick.

Another card that stirs the battlefield is Avatar of Slaughter. This formidable force doubles down on the proposition by granting all creatures double strike and mandating assault each turn, a parallel to Thantis’s war-driving theme. While Thantis sets the stage for a relentless skirmish, Avatar of Slaughter amplifies the carnage, although lacking the spiraling web that Thantis weaves with its forced combat.

When it comes to chaos and controlling the flow of combat, Thantis the Warweaver carves a niche within the MTG realm. It’s not just about pressing the action but about strategizing around the inevitability of war every turn, a facet that few cards can match or challenge quite as effectively.

Marisi, Breaker of the Coil - MTG Card versions
Gahiji, Honored One - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Marisi, Breaker of the Coil - MTG Card versions
Gahiji, Honored One - MTG Card versions
Avatar of Slaughter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thantis, the Warweaver encourages each player to engage in combat, often leading to creatures being traded or destroyed. This can result in card advantage for you as you navigate around forced aggression carefully, orchestrating situations that are beneficial by selectively removing key threats and gaining a lead in resources over your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While Thantis itself does not explicitly accelerate your resources, the forced combat can disrupt your opponents’ plans, effectively slowing them down and giving you a relative increase in tempo. This disruption is a form of indirect acceleration as you maintain board presence while others might be losing theirs.

Instant Speed: Thantis may not operate at instant speed, but its influence on the game is omnipresent once on the battlefield. You can leverage instant speed spells in your deck to take advantage of the chaotic combat state that Thantis creates, surprising opponents with tricks or removal when they’re forced to attack into unfavorable situations.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Thantis the Warweaver demands a keen focus on mana resources, coming with a cost that includes all three of Jund’s colors – black, red, and green. This can pose a challenge when working on your mana base, particularly in early-game scenarios where you’re building your land presence.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at six mana for a 5/5 creature may not be the most economical play. When evaluating curve considerations in your deck, it’s essential to weigh Thantis against other six-mana heavy hitters that might offer immediate board impact or other synergistic advantages.

Discard Requirement: While not directly requiring a discard, Thantis does compel each player to attack with at least one creature each combat if able. This can inadvertently force you to make unfavorable attacks or potentially lose valuable creatures, which indirectly acts like a costly discard in terms of board presence and strategic positioning.


Reasons to Include Thantis the Warweaver in Your Collection

Versatility: Thantis the Warweaver slides seamlessly into various deck archetypes, particularly those that revolve around forcing opponents to attack. This can be utilized in multiplayer formats like Commander to manipulate the flow of combat, ensuring that Thantis thrives in diverse strategic environments.

Combo Potential: With Thantis’s ability to provoke creatures into combat, players can devise clever combinations with cards that benefit from constant attacking and blocking. Utilize this spider’s skill to engage in shrewd battlefield manipulation, generating advantageous scenarios and exploiting them for victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive decks predominate, Thantis can serve as a pivotal card to disrupt those strategies. Its relevance grows as it can force engagement from otherwise conservative opponents, adjusting the tempo to your favor in an ever-evolving meta.


How to beat

Confronting Thantis, the Warweaver on the battlefield can be a tricky endeavor for any MTG player. This commander turns the game into a brawl, compelling each creature to engage in combat if able. To emerge victorious against Thantis, it’s crucial to control the pace of the game. Utilize removal spells that can dispatch Thantis before the combat phase or exile effects to handle it permanently. Deploying creatures with abilities like deathtouch or those that can benefit from being forced to attack each turn can also tip the scales in your favor.

Suitable strategies include focusing on indirect damage spells and abilities to whittle down the opponent’s life total, minimizing the impact of aggressive combat swings. Implementing spells or abilities that restrict your opponents from declaring Thantis as an attacker can also provide a substantial advantage. Lastly, having access to board wipes can reset the state of play, especially after Thantis has coordinated a massive assault. In essence, a well-timed board sweep or selective removal coupled with strategic creature choice becomes pivotal in dismantling the web woven by Thantis, the Warweaver.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the dynamics of Thantis the Warweaver can enhance your MTG gameplay whether you’re looking to spice up your Commander games or introduce a fresh challenge to your playgroup. With its unique ability to control combat phases, Thantis can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Considering its pros and cons, Thantis is a valuable gem for collections keen on tactical diversity and combat manipulation. Diving deeper into MTG strategy and card synergies brings a multitude of rewards, so why not delve into the deeper intricacies of playing with and against Thantis? Join us to explore more strategies and card interactions, and elevate your MTG experience to new heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thantis, the Warweaver MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2018, 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 Thantis, the Warweaver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thantis, the Warweaver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2018-08-09. Illustrated by Jehan Choo.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 706712015NormalBlackJehan Choo
22018-08-09Commander 2018C18 462015NormalBlackJehan Choo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thantis, the Warweaver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thantis, the Warweaver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-07-13 Each creature’s controller still chooses which player or planeswalker the creature attacks.
2018-07-13 If a creature can’t attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player’s control that turn), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having it attack, the player isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either.
2018-07-13 You can’t attack yourself or your own planeswalkers to give Thantis +1/+1 counters, but Thantis appreciates the way you think.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.