Flesh Carver MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Wizard
Abilities	Intimidate
Released	2014-11-07
Set symbol
Set name	Commander 2014
Set code	C14
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	22
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jesper Ejsing

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by leaving a Horror token behind after its death, maintaining board presence.
Can sacrifice creatures at instant speed, adding layers of tactical depth to gameplay.
Demands a creature sacrifice, which could be limiting if your board is already weak.

Text of card

Intimidate , Sacrifice another creature: Put two +1/+1 counters on Flesh Carver. When Flesh Carver dies, put an X/X black Horror creature token onto the battlefield, where X is Flesh Carver's power.

"Just a taste?"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Flesh Carver provides a unique form of advantage by creating a 3/3 black Horror creature token when it dies. This token serves to maintain your presence on the board and can deter your opponent from removing Flesh Carver without careful consideration.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does this creature beef up by sacrificing other creatures, but it also accelerates your game by effectively thinning your deck. Each creature sacrificed to Flesh Carver is an investment towards a stronger board state, forcing opponents to answer your growing threat.

Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice creatures at instant speed with Flesh Carver creates strategic depth in your gameplay. This versatility lets you navigate around your opponent’s removals, keeping them guessing whether their actions could inadvertently strengthen your position.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Flesh Carver demands the sacrifice of another creature to trigger its beneficial effect, which can be a setback if board presence is already weakened or if essential creatures are on the field.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires not just two black mana but a third of any type to cast. This precise mana demand can sometimes be a stumbling block, especially in multicolored decks struggling to draw the necessary mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With three mana necessary to cast Flesh Carver, players might find it costly compared to other creatures that offer similar or greater stats and abilities without requiring a sacrifice. This might not align with strategies looking for more immediate board impact or a better cost-to-effect ratio.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Flesh Carver proves to be a flexible card that can find a home in various deck archetypes, particularly those focusing on sacrifice mechanics or incremental advantage. Its ability to grow in power while developing your board presence makes it an adaptable choice.

Combo Potential: As an enabler for combo decks, Flesh Carver interacts well with strategies revolving around creature death triggers. The Horror token it creates upon its demise can serve as a formidable asset in conjunction with other synergistic cards.

Meta-Relevance: Cards like Flesh Carver remain potent in meta environments that reward strategic creature sacrifice and value engines. Its ability to contribute to an evolving game state ensures its continued importance within certain competitive circles.

How to beat

Flesh Carver is a unique creature from the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering players an intriguing creature sacrifice mechanic. Its ability to grow stronger as other creatures are sacrificed makes it a looming threat on the battlefield. Not just that, but when Flesh Carver finally meets its demise, it leaves behind a creature token that’s sizeable enough to continue pressuring opponents.

The best strategy to counter Flesh Carver is to manage its presence on the board without allowing it to amplify its power through sacrifice. Direct removal spells that don’t target, like board wipes or exile effects, are effective in dealing with Flesh Carver before it becomes too large to handle. Enchantment-based removals that neutralize its abilities without sending it to the graveyard will prevent the token from spawning.

Ultimately, evading the typical sacrifice for profit game plan is key. Denying your opponent the chance to control their creature’s fate by using comprehensive removals can render Flesh Carver an inconvenience rather than a threat. Playing around this card demands attentiveness to the ebb and flow of your adversary’s creature base and choosing the optimal timing to disrupt their strategy.

Cards like Flesh Carver

Flesh Carver is an intriguing creature card that offers players in Magic: The Gathering a unique blend of aggression and utility. It stands out among similar three-drop creatures like Nantuko Husk, which also has the ability to sacrifice other creatures for a temporary power boost. However, Flesh Carver differs by generating a valuable 3/3 Horror creature token upon death, enhancing its late-game impact compared to Nantuko Husk’s singular ability.

Akin to Flesch Carver, Yahenni, Undying Partisan presents a powerful sacrifice outlet with a built-in mechanism to grow stronger, though it gains indestructibility rather than producing a token. On the other hand, Bloodthrone Vampire offers a similar sacrifice ability but lacks the additional benefits that come with Flesh Carver, making the latter a more versatile choice.

Overall, Flesh Carver holds a competitive edge within Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of creatures that thrive on self-sacrifice strategies. Its ability to leave behind a menacing token upon its sacrifice or death gives it a strategic depth not commonly found in others in its class.

Yahenni, Undying Partisan - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Flesh Carver by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Flesh Carver MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014, 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 Flesh Carver and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Flesh Carver has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flesh Carver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.