Trained Jackal MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Jackal |
| Released | 1999-05-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Portal Three Kingdoms |
| Set code | PTK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 155 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | White |
| Illustred by | Yang Jun Kwon |
Cards like Trained Jackal
The Trained Jackal holds its ground in the world of low-cost creatures in Magic: The Gathering. When scrutinized alongside other one-mana creatures such as Savannah Lions, the Jackal may seem overshadowed at first due to the Lions’ consistent 2/1 stats. Yet the Jackal presents flexibility with its “discard a card: Trained Jackal gets +2/+2 until end of turn” ability, offering potential for a surprise offensive maneuver.
Looking toward Isamaru, Hound of Konda, a famed one-drop with a solid 2/2 body, the Trained Jackal provides a different tactical edge. While lacking Isamaru’s immediate board presence, the Jackal can dynamically adjust its power level during the game. Comparatively, Fugitive Wizard as another one-mana creature remains a baseline 1/1 without an in-built mechanism to enhance its prowess, making the Jackal a more adaptable choice for strategic deck builders.
Ultimately, the Trained Jackal’s unique ability to modify its strength temporarily allows it to leap beyond the conventional bounds of one-drop creatures, potentially turning the tide in MTG matches. It’s a card that requires careful play, but underestimating its bite could cost opponents dearly.
Cards similar to Trained Jackal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Trained Jackal might not directly allow you to draw additional cards, its low casting cost integrates smoothly into decks that aim to cycle through their deck rapidly, potentially unlocking card-drawing synergies with other elements of your strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Trained Jackal, a one-mana creature, offers an efficient way to start building your board presence early on. This enables a quicker deployment of subsequent, more resource-demanding spells, keeping the momentum on your side.
Instant Speed: While the card itself may not be an instant, it fits well in a deck design that values mana flexibility. Having a one-mana creature like Trained Jackal allows you to keep mana available for instant-speed interactions on your opponent’s turn without missing the opportunity to build your board if those interactions are not needed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of the Trained Jackal card is that activating its ability often comes with the need to discard another card. This can become a strategic setback when you’re striving to maintain a considerable hand size to outmaneuver your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Trained Jackal requires a precise blend of mana to cast, which could potentially pose deck-building constraints. Its reliance on one red mana can complicate matters for multi-colored decks that might not consistently generate the needed color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Trained Jackal effectively means investing mana that may be better allocated elsewhere. Although it might seem reasonable at first glance, when you consider other cards in your strategy, this mana investment might not yield the best return on your resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Trained Jackal offers a flexible fit for decks seeking efficient early-game creatures. Its low mana cost makes it an excellent choice for aggressive strategies looking to establish presence on the board quickly.
Combo Potential: As a Jackal, this card holds potential in tribal synergies or can be paired with buffs and equipments to create a quick and lethal threat, unlocking interesting interactions within the right deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where fast-paced games dominate, Trained Jackal can be a subtle yet strategic inclusion. Its ability to apply early pressure or serve as a key component in a combo can shift the momentum of the game in your favor.
How to beat
Trained Jackal might not be the flashiest card in a player’s arsenal, but it can certainly tip the scales in a game if left unchecked. This nimble creature, often overlooked, can quickly become a substantial threat through various buffing mechanisms or as part of a synergistic creature deck. Overcoming the deceptively simple Jackal requires a blend of removal, board control, and strategic play.
To effectively counter the Jackal, consider incorporating cheap removal spells into your deck, focusing on pinpoint or mass removal options that can deal with it before it grows out of control. Cards like Fatal Push or Supreme Verdict hold the versatility to answer not only Trained Jackal but also a multitude of other threats. Always be conscious of your opponent’s open mana and potential combat tricks, as they could be planning to bolster their Jackal at a moment’s notice.
Taking into account these strategies, navigations through games involving sneaky creatures such as Trained Jackal become a matter of preparedness and adaptability. Maintaining awareness and control over the board, along with a well-timed removal, can ensure the Jackal remains a minor nuisance rather than a game-ending threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trained Jackal MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Trained Jackal 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trained Jackal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |