Valakut Invoker MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 159
2019-11-07 - Number 1090
2020-11-20 - Number 206
2020-09-26 - Number BFZ-159
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
: Valakut Invoker deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
"As long as we have walked this world, we have known it as a harsh and unforgiving place." —*The Invokers' Tales*
Cards like Valakut Invoker
Valakut Invoker is a versatile card in MTG, offering players tactical flexibility with its damage-dealing ability. When looking at cards with comparable functionality, Prodigal Pyromancer immediately comes to mind. It also taps to deal damage, but unlike Valakut Invoker, it doesn’t have the potential to scale its damage output with the landfall aspect.
Moving along, Goblin Fireslinger is another relative in this group of tap-to-damage creatures. Easier to deploy with its low mana cost, this card can start pressuring opponents earlier in the game. However, it lacks the raw power that Valakut Invoker possesses with its capacity for significant damage in the late game.
Comparing these alternatives reaffirms Valakut Invoker’s place in MTG as a viable card with an upside in longer matches, particularly in land-rich decks. While it may not have the early game presence of Goblin Fireslinger or the consistent impact of Prodigal Pyromancer, its potentially high damage payout can be a game-changer in the right circumstances.
Cards similar to Valakut Invoker by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Valakut Invoker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Walls Combo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Pauper League 2024-04-01 |
 | Walls Cascade | Pauper | Walls Cascade | Pauper League 2024-04-21 |
| Walls Scombo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Tappa Lega Pauperissima "Road to Pisa" @Magic Akiba |
 | Wall Combo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Ogonyok |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Valakut Invoker is a versatile tool, providing consistent threats to the opponent as long as you have lands in play. Once you reach the eight lands required for its ability, it can repeatedly remove small creatures or chip away at your opponent’s life total without costing any additional cards from your hand. This effectively wears down opposition over time and can be a source of recurring value.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its synergy with land ramp decks cannot be understated. Players who focus on accelerating land drops can turn Valakut Invoker into a powerful offensive asset much earlier in the game, leveraging a modest initial investment into a potent damage source once the critical mass of lands is achieved.
Instant Speed: Valakut Invoker’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to pass the turn with open mana and make decisions based on your opponent’s plays. Whether it’s sniping a key creature in combat or finishing off an opponent, the threat of activation at any time adds a layer of complexity to the game’s dynamics, forcing your opponents to play cautiously.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Valakut Invoker offers a solid late-game ability, it lacks the immediate board impact of other cards at the same mana value which might better leverage the resources in hand without discarding.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two red mana in its cost, Valakut Invoker can be a difficult fit in multi-colored decks that also demand a heavy commitment to other colors or when players are managing a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost of eight mana to deal three damage, the Invoker’s ability can be mana-intensive compared to other removal or damage options in the game that are available for less mana and can provide more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Valakut Invoker can be a dynamic addition to various deck archetypes. It serves as an early blocker against aggressive starts and becomes a reliable late-game mana sink to deal direct damage.
Combo Potential: With enough mana, this creature’s ability can be a game-changer, synergizing with setups that proliferate lands onto the battlefield or generate large amounts of mana, turning it into a repeatable source of removal or even a win condition.
Meta-Relevance: As decks that aim to control the board and prolong the game grow in popularity, Valakut Invoker’s capacity for consistent damage output becomes increasingly vital, making it a prudent pick for decks aiming to counter these strategies.
How to beat
Valakut Invoker is one card that starts off unassumingly but can become a major threat if left unchecked in a Magic: The Gathering match. Its ability to deal 3 damage to any target once it has access to ample mana can turn the tides quickly, proving fatal to creatures and players alike. To counter this threat, prioritizing mana denial strategies or using removal spells before your opponent accumulates enough resources can be effective. Cards that restrict land play or tap down lands also hamper the Invoker’s power surge, delaying or completely stalling its devastating ability.
Thwarting the Invoker can also be achieved by engaging in direct creature removal. Quick and efficient spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch it before its late-game potential is reached. Negating the Invoker’s activated abilities with cards like Pithing Needle or Sorcerous Spyglass, which are particularly handy as they incapacitate without needing to remove the creature itself, provide another strategy to manage this latent menace on the battlefield.
Lastly, keeping pressure on your opponent and not allowing them to establish a strong mana base will ensure that the Valakut Invoker remains a low-impact card throughout your game. This approach limits its use to just a minor player on the board, securing your place in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Valakut Invoker MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Mystery Booster, 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 Valakut Invoker 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 Valakut Invoker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Joseph Meehan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joseph Meehan | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1090 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joseph Meehan | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | BFZ-159 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joseph Meehan | ||
| 4 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 206 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joseph Meehan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Valakut Invoker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |