Thresher Lizard MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 150
2018-03-16 - Number 153
2019-11-07 - Number 1082
2020-08-13 - Number 178
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-150
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Lizard |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Thresher Lizard gets +1/+2 as long as you have one or fewer cards in hand.
The sound of its plated tail beating on desert rocks is often mistaken for the footfalls of a much larger predator.
Cards like Thresher Lizard
Thresher Lizard holds its ground as a dynamic creature within the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering. This creature shares common ground with the likes of Rumbling Baloth, a creature that also boasts a considerable body for its mana cost. However, Rumbling Baloth doesn’t quite flex the power adjustment ability that Thresher Lizard does when a player’s hand is running low on cards. This gives Thresher Lizard potential bursts of strength in the late game, setting it apart from the statically powered Baloth.
Another analogous creature is the Serra Angel. While the angel is a higher cost flier with vigilance, Thresher Lizard has the distinction of potentially becoming stronger if your hand is light, showcasing its capacity to be a threat without relying on evasion or additional abilities. Lastly, the comparison wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Nimble Mongoose. Although the Mongoose flourishes with a graveyard strategy giving it shroud and a strength boost, the Lizard’s power spike is solely reliant on hand size, offering a different strategic angle.
Overall, Thresher Lizard offers an intriguing option for decks that benefit from reduced hand sizes, demonstrating how it can be a potent asset in the right circumstances and play environment. Its directness and the condition-based power increase make it a unique creature on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Thresher Lizard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Thresher Lizard has a unique ability to become stronger as you draw into a smaller hand size, which shifts the game’s dynamics and can catch an opponent off guard. Despite not drawing you extra cards, it effectively converts your low hand count into a board advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While the Lizard doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it benefits from the discarding strategies that enable such acceleration. It thrives in a deck setup to rapidly cycle through or utilize cards, such as red ‘discard and draw’ mechanics, to become a formidable creature quickly.
Instant Speed: Though Thresher Lizard isn’t an instant itself, it pairs well with instant-speed spells in your strategy. Such spells keep your hand size small on your turn to maximize the Lizard’s power, then allow you to replenish after combat or during your opponent’s turn, keeping you flexible and responsive.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The ability of Thresher Lizard to get stronger with fewer cards in hand means that players must maintain a minimal hand size which can put them at a strategic disadvantage in longer games where card options are critically needed.
Specific Mana Cost: The Lizard costs two colorless and a red mana to cast, making it less flexible in multicolored decks that might not always have the red mana available precisely when it’s needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With three mana for a base 3/2 creature, the Thresher Lizard can seem overcosted, especially if you’re not able to consistently meet its hand size condition to make it a formidable force on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Thresher Lizard in Your Collection
Versatility: Thresher Lizard excels in decks looking to manage their hand size. Its power increases as you deplete your hand, which synergizes with strategies that involve aggressive card play or discard mechanics.
Combo Potential: This creature works well with mechanics that benefit from having a high-power creature on the battlefield, such as fling effects or cards that use power-based triggers for damage or card advantage. It makes it an intriguing option for unique and powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the meta, particularly one that encourages quick, aggressive playstyles, Thresher Lizard can be a potent surprise. Its ability to grow stronger if you’re empty-handed makes it a potentially fearsome late-game draw when both players are low on resources.
How to beat
Thresher Lizard presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its capacity to grow stronger as you deplete your hand. This creature thrives in situations where the player has one or no cards left, gaining a substantial power boost that can turn the tide of a game. However, there are strategies to mitigate the threat it poses.
Managing your opponent’s hand size is critical. Cards that force players to draw or maintain a larger hand size, such as Howling Mine or Font of Mythos, can prevent the lizard from getting its power boost. Removal spells are also effective; as the lizard is not particularly hard to dispatch if dealt with promptly. Cards such as Murder or Lightning Bolt can take care of the lizard before it grows out of hand.
Lastly, preventing the lizard from attacking is another strategy. Cards with abilities that tap creatures or those that keep creatures from untapping during the next untap step are beneficial. Continuous control through enchantments that pacify such as Pacifism, or freezing their development with lockdown pieces like Frost Lynx, ensures the lizard’s enhanced attack stays just a potential threat, rather than a realized one.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thresher Lizard MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Masters 25, 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 Thresher Lizard and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Thresher Lizard Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Craig J Spearing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 153 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1082 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 4 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 178 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | AKH-150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Craig J Spearing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thresher Lizard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thresher Lizard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-03-16 | Because damage remains marked on a creature until it’s removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to Thresher Lizard while you have one or fewer cards in hand may become lethal if cards are put into your hand during that turn. |