Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 161
2013-03-15 - Number 41
2019-12-02 - Number 537
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Tibalt |
| Loyalty | 2 |
Text of card
+1: Draw a card, then discard a card at random. -4: Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded deals damage equal to the number of cards in target player's hand to that player. -6: Gain control of all creatures until end of turn. Untap them. They gain haste until end of turn.
Cards like Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded
Exploring the vast array of planeswalker cards within Magic: The Gathering, Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded offers an intriguing comparison to its contemporaries. A counterpart worth noting is Chandra, Pyromaster. Both planeswalkers function at four mana cost and share a focus on dealing direct damage. However, Chandra allows for a more controlled card draw and doesn’t force a discard, unlike Tibalt’s risky yet potentially rewarding ability.
Another similar card is Sarkhan the Mad. Both planeswalkers have the potential to impact the board significantly but in different ways. Tibalt’s random discard can disrupt an opponent’s hand, while Sarkhan’s ability to turn creatures into dragons offers a different kind of board presence. Moreover, Tibalt’s ultimate can create a game-ending condition with its mass damage effect, a feature not shared with Sarkhan.
In weighing the abilities and potential game impact of these planeswalker cards, Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded stands out for its low-cost high-risk-high-reward dynamics, appealing to players who enjoy a more chaotic and aggressive playstyle within Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded enables players to generate card advantage by drawing additional cards through his +1 ability. This helps to replenish your hand, offering more options and strategies as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Though Tibalt himself doesn’t directly produce mana, his -4 ability can disrupt your opponent’s resources, potentially accelerating your position in the game. By forcing an opponent to discard cards at random, Tibalt can remove crucial spells or lands, indirectly speeding up your route to victory.
Instant Speed: Tibalt’s ultimate, which can be activated at instant speed, showcases the potential to turn the tide of a game unexpectedly. His -6 ability allows you to gain control of all creatures until end of turn, untapping them and giving them haste. This can catch an unwary opponent off guard, possibly leading to a decisive, game-winning move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded’s first ability forces players to discard a card at random, which can be a significant drawback when you don’t have expendable cards in your hand. This effect can often backfire, leaving you at a disadvantage by potentially discarding a crucial piece of your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Tibalt’s casting cost requires two red mana, making him a less flexible option for decks that aren’t heavily red-focused. This mana specificity can impede players from incorporating him into multi-color decks that require mana base flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a loyalty ability that does not immediately impact the board and a casting cost of two generic and two red mana, there are alternative planeswalkers and cards available that could potentially offer a more immediate return on investment or better alignment with a player’s game plan.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded showcases adaptability in various strategies, fitting well into decks that capitalize on direct damage and discarding mechanics, as well as those seeking a low-cost planeswalker.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with other cards that benefit from or mitigate its discarding effect, enabling powerful interactions and unexpected win conditions.
Meta-Relevance: In a constantly evolving competitive landscape, having Tibalt in your arsenal offers an edge against decks that are vulnerable to its unique ability to disrupt opponents’ hands while applying pressure on the board.
How to beat
Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded is a unique planeswalker card that can create an intriguing dynamic in MTG games. Originating from the Innistrad set, Tibalt’s low casting cost of just two mana makes him a tempting early-game play. While his plus-one ability can be unpredictable due to the forced discard at random, his minus-four ability has the potential to turn the tide by dealing damage equal to the number of cards in a player’s hand to a creature or player.
Defeating Tibalt involves a strategy that focuses on pressure and disruption. As Tibalt thrives in a full hand, keeping your hand size low limits the impact of his minus ability. Employ removal spells to handle him quickly before he accumulates too many loyalty counters. Hand disruption effects can also be effective by removing key pieces from your opponent’s hand, thereby reducing their options and containing Tibalt’s influence on the game. Additionally, focusing on instant-speed interactions can help you maintain card advantage and control over the board while you plan for his removal.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded is to recognize the subtle balance between managing your hand size and controlling the pace of the game, while being prepared to eliminate him before his accumulated powers can make a significant impact on the game’s outcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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 Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded 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 Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 161 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Peter Mohrbacher | |
| 2 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 41 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chase Stone | |
| 3 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 537 | 2015 | Normal | White | Chase Stone |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | The number of cards in the target player’s hand is determined when Tibalt’s second ability resolves. |
| 2012-05-01 | When Tibalt’s third ability resolves, all creatures will become untapped and gain haste, including ones you controlled before the ability resolved. |