Pyknite MTG Card


Pyknite - Ice Age
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Ouphe
Released1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set nameIce Age
Set codeICE
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number258
Frame1993
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byEdward P. Beard, Jr.

Key Takeaways

  1. Pyknite’s card draw capability makes it a valuable source of card advantage, enhancing player options.
  2. Ability to act at instant speed adds flexibility to gameplay, allowing reactive and strategic plays.
  3. Though powerful, casting Pyknite requires careful mana alignment and comes with a significant cost.

Text of card

Draw a card at the beginning of the upkeep of the turn after Pyknite comes into play.

"Never cross a Pyknite, if you value your scalp." —Lovisa Coldeyes, Balduvian Chieftain


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When playing Pyknite, the ability to deliver potential card advantage by enabling creature draws can be invaluable. This mechanism enhances your gameplay by offering more options each turn and replenishing your hand to keep the pressure on your adversaries.

Resource Acceleration: Pyknite can act as a catalyst for ramping up your resource pool. This investment in the early game can escalate into a powerhouse mid to late game, allowing you more versatility and the ability to cast high-cost spells ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The flexibility Pyknite provides by operating at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows strategic players to optimize their mana usage and react on the fly to shifting game states, whether that’s by surprising an opponent with a blocker or by leveraging abilities at the most opportune moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The card demands that you discard another card from your hand, which could set you back if your hand is already depleted or if you rely on synergy between your cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Pyknite requires a precise combination of mana to cast, which could be restrictive if your deck isn’t fine-tuned to produce the necessary colors consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Pyknite might offer some solid abilities, its mana cost is on the higher side compared to other creatures of similar power level, making it less appealing for decks that need to establish board presence quickly.


Reasons to Include Pyknite in Your Collection

Versatility: Pyknite offers dynamic adaptability for decks that capitalize on both early-game presence and late-game value. Its scalable power makes it a suitable inclusion in a variety of matchups.

Combo Potential: With its modular nature, Pyknite seamlessly integrates into synergistic strategies, amplifying combos with its creature type or triggering pivotal on-cast or enters-the-battlefield abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Adaptability to ever-shifting metas is key, and Pyknite holds its ground by offering consistent performance, especially in environments where its characteristics align with prevalent deck archetypes.


How to beat

The Pyknite card presents a unique combat challenge to players in the MTG arena. This creature can become quite a nuisance due to its toughness and the potential to grow stronger over time. Tackling this threat requires a strategic approach. Removal spells that don’t depend on damage, like Path to Exile or Murder, can swiftly handle Pyknite’s resilience. Board wipes also prove effective, clearing Pyknite regardless of its size. Furthermore, countering it early is advantageous, as Pyknite’s full potential is only reached once it has momentum. In essence, the key is to neutralize it before it becomes a larger problem or use non-damaging removal to bypass its growing defenses. Combining control elements with timely removal makes for a robust strategy against Pyknite’s steady threat.


Cards like Pyknite

Pyknite is an intriguing creature card that brings a unique presence to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to creatures like Elvish Mystic, as both provide a mana ability. Where Pyknite is distinct is in its “Mana Link” ability, giving it the capacity to survive board wipes that do not remove enchantments. In contrast, Elvish Mystic, despite being a one-drop creature that taps for mana, lacks any additional protective measures.

Examining a card such as Llanowar Elves sheds light on another comparison. This classic card also taps for green mana but doesn’t offer the resilience provided by the Mana Link ability. Pyknite holds an advantage by having this additional layer of protection that can be critical in longevity within a game. Rounding out the trio comes Fyndhorn Elves, echoing the capabilities of Llanowar Elves but with a different lineage. Both of these cards are key in mana acceleration but do not offer Pyknite’s enchantment-like endurance.

Deciding between these utility creatures often comes down to the meta and the player’s deck strategy. Pyknite stands out with its dual role as a creature and pseudo-enchantment, offering a strategic edge in certain MTG decks that capitalize on such versatility.

Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions
Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elves - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pyknite by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Lurker - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Orangutan - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Verduran Enchantress - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elder - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Shizuko, Caller of Autumn - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Lurker - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Orangutan - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Verduran Enchantress - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elder - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Shizuko, Caller of Autumn - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pyknite MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Pyknite and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pyknite has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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