Two-Headed Cerberus MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dog |
| Abilities | Double strike |
| Released | 2013-09-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Theros |
| Set code | THS |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 146 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Karl Kopinski |
Text of card
Double strike (This creature deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)
The left head keeps the right head starved as motivation to track new prey.
Cards like Two-Headed Cerberus
Exploring the world of red creatures in Magic: The Gathering reveals the Two-Headed Cerberus as an intriguing choice for players keen on double strike capabilities. Its comparability to other creatures with double strike, like Skyhunter Skirmisher, is evident, as both provide the potential for delivering twice the damage in a single combat phase. Yet, unlike the Skirmisher, our canine-themed card doesn’t come with flying, impacting its ability to evade blockers.
Another relative in this family of cards is the Warren Instigator. While both creatures share the double strike trait, the Instigator boasts the added utility of putting goblins directly onto the battlefield, offering strategic play for a goblin-centric deck. In contrast, the Two-Headed Cerberus thrives in scenarios where buffing and combat tricks are used to capitalize on its double strike nature.
Ultimately, while evaluating parallels among similar double strikers, the Two-Headed Cerberus holds its ground with a balance of cost and potential impact, especially when synergized with the right deck enhancements in Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Engages in double strikes, providing the opportunity to eliminate two creatures in combat, effectively thinning the opponent’s board and bolstering your tactical position.
Resource Acceleration: Can be synergized with cards that trigger upon dealing combat damage, potentially resulting in additional card draws or mana generation, thereby accelerating your in-game resources.
Instant Speed: The ability to interact with this creature in response to opponents’ actions at instant speed can lead to advantageous combat tricks or unexpected shifts in board state, keeping your adversaries on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Two-Headed Cerberus card demands you to discard another card to unleash its full potential. This mechanic can backfire if you’re already struggling with a low card count, narrows down strategic flexibility, and might lead to unfavorable trades in hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The brewing of strategies around this creature is constrained by its red mana dependency. This limits its seamless integration across various deck archetypes, especially those that don’t run red or have difficulty generating the needed mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to get the Cerberus into play might be steep when stacked against similar creatures in the same mana range. Other alternatives at a lower cost can perform comparably or even outshine this creature, making it a less tempting choice when deck-building under tight resource constraints.
Reasons to Include Two-Headed Cerberus in Your Collection
Versatility: Two-Headed Cerberus offers flexible strategies for any red deck looking to apply pressure. With double strike, this card is a formidable threat that can quickly amplify damage, whether in an aggro lineup or as part of a midrange build.
Combo Potential: Its ability to deal damage twice in one combat phase makes it an excellent partner with cards that boost power or have on-hit effects. Imagine the possibilities when combining it with spells that increase attack power or grant additional combat phases.
Meta-Relevance: In a game climate where creatures battle for board supremacy, Two-Headed Cerberus can be unexpectedly potent. Its synergy with popular red instants and sorceries that deal damage or grant keywords means it can adapt and thrive in diverse meta scenarios.
How to beat Two-Headed Cerberus
Two-Headed Cerberus is a creature card that can become quite a headache for opponents with its double strike feature. Unlike single-strike creatures, this fiery beast dishes out damage in two phases during combat, which can spell a swift demise for unprepared adversaries. Dealing with the Cerberus effectively requires some strategic planning and an understanding of its weaknesses.
Control spells are your best ally in taming the Two-Headed Cerberus. Since it is a creature with modest toughness, removal options such as Shock or Fatal Push work perfectly to dispatch it before it can unleash its power. Combat tricks that bolster your creatures’ toughness can also turn the tide, negating the double strike’s advantage by surviving the initial hit and retaliating successfully. Enchantment-based solutions, like Pacifism, immobilize the Cerberus without dealing with it directly, preventing it from attacking or blocking altogether.
In essence, when faced with the Two-Headed Cerberus, swift removal, strategic blocker management, and disabling enchantments are key. With these tactics, you’ll acknowledge its threat while adeptly preventing it from becoming a persistent menace on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Two-Headed Cerberus MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Two-Headed Cerberus and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Two-Headed Cerberus has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |