Tivadar of Thorn MTG Card


Tivadar of Thorn - Time Spiral
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Knight
Abilities First strike,Protection
Released2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set nameTime Spiral
Set codeTSP
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number44
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCarl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

  1. Tivadar of Thorn excels in wiping out Goblins, impacting opponent strategies and establishing board control.
  2. Tivadar’s ability can indirectly accelerate resources by dismantling an opponent’s Goblin-based combos.
  3. Flexibility increases when combining Tivadar with flash, enabling surprise plays and disrupting opponents.

Text of card

First strike, protection from red When Tivadar of Thorn comes into play, destroy target Goblin.

His blade came down upon the neck of a goblin—but not the one he had charged. When Tivadar looked up, the world he had known was gone.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tivadar of Thorn grants an edge by efficiently dealing with Goblin creatures. When he enters the battlefield, he can destroy a target Goblin, potentially removing an opponent’s key creature and hindering their strategy all the while establishing your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or tokens, eliminating a Goblin can be seen as resource acceleration by indirectly denying opponents from leveraging their Goblin synergies or combos, effectively setting them back while you continue to develop your game plan.

Instant Speed: Tivadar of Thorn’s ability to destroy Goblins is not instant speed, but his value increases when paired with spells or effects that allow you to flash him onto the battlefield. This flexibility fits into a reactive playstyle, letting you adapt to your opponent’s moves and creating opportunities to surprise your opponent by disrupting their plans at critical moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tivadar of Thorn forces players to be cautious with their hand management. Although this card doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, having a versatile hand can be pivotal in responding to its summoning, especially when facing decks heavy with Goblins.

Specific Mana Cost: A requirement of two white mana can be taxing in multi-colored decks, limiting its integration. Tivadar’s restrictive mana cost necessitates a strong white mana base, making it a less optimal choice in decks that don’t focus heavily on white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a total cost of three mana, one of which is double white, Tivadar of Thorn may arrive on the battlefield later than other knights or similar cost creatures. While he does bring the utility of Goblin destruction, other knights or creatures offer more versatility or power at this stage of the game.


Reasons to Include Tivadar of Thorn in Your Collection

Versatility: Tivadar of Thorn is a solid addition to any deck that aims to control the board. His ability to destroy Goblins upon entry makes him particularly valuable in formats where these creatures are prevalent.

Combo Potential: Tivadar’s synergy with sword and knight-themed cards can enhance various strategies. His destroy ability may also be used in conjunction with other cards that capitalize on creature deaths or tribal interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s teeming with Goblin decks, Tivadar of Thorn could serve as a specialized answer. His presence can deter opponents from playing certain strategies or force them to alter their gameplay to work around his effect.


How to beat

Facing off against Tivadar of Thorn in an MTG duel can be a stiff challenge, particularly for those reliant on Goblin decks. Tivadar’s prowess lies in its specific yet potent ability to destroy Goblin creatures. This knight does not just bring power to the table but provides strategic value for players against the Goblin menace. To effectively neutralize the threat that Tivadar poses, one might look towards preventing its summoning altogether. This could be done through countering the spell, employing removal spells before Tivadar’s effect triggers, or manipulating the battlefield to your advantage with non-Goblin creatures.

Other strategies involve diversifying your deck with a variety of creature types, minimizing the impact a single Tivadar of Thorn could have. You can also utilize spells that protect your creatures or swiftly resurrect them from the graveyard, ensuring a rapid recovery from any destruction Tivadar could cause. While Tivadar thrives against Goblins, a well-rounded deck and adaptive gameplay can ensure your victory, demonstrating yet again the depth and complexity that is MTG.


Cards like Tivadar of Thorn

Players familiar with Tivadar of Thorn may notice parallels with other Knight-tribe leaders in MTG. Comparable to Paladin en-Vec, Tivadar brings both offensive and defensive capabilities to the table, but with the added niche of goblin eradication. While Paladin en-Vec offers protection from red and from black, Tivadar zeroes in on the goblin menace with his goblin destruction ability upon entry to the battlefield.

Another related card is Silver Knight. Like Tivadar, Silver Knight has protection from red, a common trait amongst knights offering resilience against a popular MTG color. However, Tivadar stands out with his first strike ability, ensuring he’ll usually win in combat against creatures without that ability. This gives him a strategic edge, especially in formats where goblins are a persistent threat.

To sum up, in the realm of MTG, Tivadar of Thorn offers a unique blend of targeted creature control and combat prowess. His abilities make him a strong sideboard option in Knight-themed or anti-goblin decks, achieving a balance between aggression and creature-specific control, a trait that is fairly uncommon in knight cards.

Paladin en-Vec - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Paladin en-Vec - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tivadar of Thorn MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Tivadar of Thorn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tivadar of Thorn has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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