Mathas, Fiend Seeker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire
Abilities Menace
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

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Text of card

Menace At the beginning of your end step, put a bounty counter on target creature an opponent controls. For as long as that creature has a bounty counter on it, it has "When this creature dies, each opponent draws a card and gains 2 life."

"All will know of your crimes."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mathas Fiend Seeker has a unique ability that lets you tag an opponent’s creature each turn, potentially rewarding you with a card draw when that creature dies. This characteristic is advantageous in games, as it offers a repeatable and targeted way to net additional cards, often crucial for outmaneuvering the opposition.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly serving as resource acceleration like some other cards, the bounty counter mechanic of Mathas encourages collaboration among opponents to remove threatening creatures. In multiplayer formats, this can indirectly accelerate your resources by removing blockers or threats and fostering beneficial board states without expending your resources.

Instant Speed: Mathas doesn’t have instant speed himself, but his ability allows you to play at the speed of the game. The placement of bounty counters functions dynamically, in step with the changing board state, and you can adjust your strategy in response to creatures being played in real time, keeping you agile and responsive during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One trade-off of playing Mathas, Fiend Seeker is the necessity of having a broad enough selection of cards to ensure you’re not forced to discard high-value cards when compelled by various gameplay scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost necessitates a commitment to three specific colors of mana (red, white, and black), which may not always be readily available, particularly in early game stages or decks with a less stable mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana including three different colors, Mathas can be challenging to play on curve. When compared to other commanders or creature cards in the same mana range, the cost may not align with the provided abilities, potentially making it less attractive in fast-paced or highly competitive environments.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mathas, Fiend Seeker offers a unique blend of political maneuvering and bounty-hunting mechanics, making it an exciting addition to Commander and multiplayer formats. Its ability to mark any creature across the battlefield extends its influence in a game, regardless of the deck it’s incorporated into.

Combo Potential: As a commander, Mathas encourages a variety of strategies that benefit from creatures dying. It can be a centerpiece in decks focusing on control or attrition strategies, as well as synergizing with cards that reward you for the death of marked creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In metas that see a lot of creature-based decks, Mathas, Fiend Seeker becomes a tactical tool that can turn your opponent’s threats into potential advantages for you, while disrupting their plans and providing card draw as creatures with bounties meet their demise.


How to beat

Mathas, Fiend Seeker presents a tactical challenge on the battlefield. As a commander, he incites a political game, marking opponents’ creatures and rewarding players for dealing with those threats. To effectively navigate around Mathas’s strategies, focusing on controlling the board is key. Prioritize removals that can unconditionally deal with marked creatures. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Merciless Eviction can help reset the playing field, ensuring the extra benefits from Mathas’s bounty counters remain limited.

Another approach is to utilize cards that grant hexproof or shroud to your creatures, like Swiftfoot Boots or Asceticism. This prevents your opponents from placing bounty counters on your valuable creatures. Alternatively, cards like Homeward Path can regain control of creatures that Mathas and his controlling player might turn against you. Finally, since Mathas thrives in multiplayer dynamics, altering the political landscape by forging alliances can be as effective as any spell in your arsenal. Always keep in mind the necessity to adapt to the inherent mind games that Mathas introduces to the table.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unraveling the strategic depths of MTG can be as challenging as it is thrilling. With cards like Mathas, Fiend Seeker, you’re invited to partake in a gameplay that blends skill with cunning political intrigue. The adept use of Mathas’s ability can transform your deck into an agile bounty-hunting machine that capitalizes on each opponent’s downfall. If you’re seeking to enrich your MTG experience with a card that rewards strategic foresight and interactive play, consider elevating your collection with Mathas. Join our MTG community for more insights and strategies to optimize your playstyle and bring a new edge to your game.


Cards like Mathas, Fiend Seeker

Delving into the world of unique commanders in Magic: The Gathering, Mathas, Fiend Seeker presents a compelling case for politics and bounty mechanics in multiplayer games. When drawing comparisons, Queen Marchesa stands out as a similar choice due to her ability to create monarch tokens, influencing the game’s power dynamics just as Mathas marks creatures and encourages interaction among players. Both characters thrive in an environment filled with tactical maneuvers.

Similar strategies can also be seen with bounty cards such as Bounty Hunter and Outlaws’ Merriment. Bounty Hunter offers targeted creature removal, akin to playing the bounty game that Mathas likes to engage in. Outlaws’ Merriment creates token creatures that could potentially benefit from the bounties placed by Mathas, Fiend Seeker. Each offers a distinctive angle but underlines the same theme of engaging directly with opponents and manipulating the board state.

Ultimately, comparing Mathas to other MTG cards with similar mechanics shows not only the diversity in designs but also showcases Mathas’s unique position in facilitating interactive and intriguing gameplay, adding a layer of depth and strategy that appeal to players who enjoy a politically charged table dynamic.

Queen Marchesa - MTG Card versions
Bounty Hunter - MTG Card versions
Outlaws' Merriment - MTG Card versions
Queen Marchesa - MTG Card versions
Bounty Hunter - MTG Card versions
Outlaws' Merriment - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mathas, Fiend Seeker MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2017, 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 Mathas, Fiend Seeker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mathas, Fiend Seeker Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Joe Slucher.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 657592015NormalBlackJoe Slucher
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 422015NormalBlackJoe Slucher
32022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 5232015NormalBlackJoe Slucher
42022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2522015NormalBlackJoe Slucher

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mathas, Fiend Seeker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PennyLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-08-25 Creatures that receive a bounty counter other than from Mathas’s ability resolving won’t gain the triggered ability. Creatures that receive more than one bounty counter as Mathas’s ability resolves (most likely due to Doubling Season) won’t have the ability multiple times.
2017-08-25 If Mathas’s ability resolves two separate times targeting the same creature, that creature will have two instances of the triggered ability. Each triggers separately when that creature dies.
2017-08-25 The opponents who each draw a card and gain 2 life are the opponents of the player who controlled the creature as it died. This may not be the player who controlled the creature when it received a bounty counter.
2017-08-25 The target creature that gets a bounty counter still has the triggered ability it gains even if Mathas leaves the battlefield.

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