Sabertooth Wyvern MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Drake
Abilities First strike,Flying
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Evasion ability provides a consistent combat damage potential, strategically enhancing deck performance.
  2. Cost-efficient for its stats, Sabertooth Wyvern fits well in mana curves and offers board advantage.
  3. Despite a higher mana cost, this creature’s versatility and flying trait make it a noteworthy choice.

Text of card

Flying, first strike

Most creatures grow out of their baby teeth, but sabertooth wyverns grow into theirs.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sabertooth Wyvern doesn’t directly offer card advantage in the traditional sense of drawing cards. However, its evasion ability allows it to potentially deal combat damage more consistently, which could result in card advantage if paired with cards that draw upon dealing combat damage.

Resource Acceleration: While Sabertooth Wyvern itself does not accelerate resources, its cost-efficient stats make it a competitive choice in the mana curve. Deploying a flying creature such as this can put you ahead on the board without setting you back in your mana development.

Instant Speed: While Sabertooth Wyvern is not an instant, its flying ability grants it a form of ‘combat speed,’ giving it the chance to evade blockers and surprise opponents with airborne attacks. For decks focusing on midrange tactics, the wyvern can be a hasty threat that adapts swiftly on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: If you’re running a Sabertooth Wyvern, be prepared to face its drawback: to harness its full potential, you often need to discard other important cards from your hand, which can leave you in a tight spot during critical moments of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana needed to summon the Sabertooth Wyvern isn’t very flexible—requiring a mix of generic and red mana. This setup can restrict your deck-building options, forcing you to focus on a red-based strategy that might not blend well with your overall game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you’re in the market for a mid-range flying creature, the mana investment for Sabertooth Wyvern is on the higher end considering its stats and abilities. In many cases, players can find more cost-efficient creatures that provide similar, if not better, board presence and versatility for less mana.


Reasons to Include Sabertooth Wyvern in Your Collection

Versatility: Sabertooth Wyvern offers flexible play, easily finding a home in decks focused on flying aggressiveness or those needing the prowess of a sizeable flying creature to press an advantage in the skies.

Combo Potential: This dragon’s evasion ability can be harnessed alongside cards that benefit from combat damage to a player, triggering various on-hit effects which can turn the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate that rewards quick, high-flying threats, Sabertooth Wyvern stands out as a practical addition to overcome ground-based stalemates and provide pressure from above.


How to beat

Sabertooth Wyvern might not be the mightiest creature in MTG, but it has its perks, primarily its flying ability and the potential to gain first strike until the end of turn. To counteract the threat this creature poses, focus on creature removal spells such as Murder or Doom Blade, which neatly bypass its flying ability. Alternatively, use creatures with reach or those with flash to surprise block and remove the Wyvern from the sky.

Enchantment-based removal like Pacifism or Capture Sphere can also render the Wyvern useless without the need to deal with it directly. In addition, including chump blockers for the early game and setting up a stronger defensive line ensures that Sabertooth Wyvern isn’t the threat it’s meant to be. If you are playing blue, countermagic like Mana Leak can prevent your opponent from ever getting the Wyvern onto the battlefield. It’s always about having the right card at the right time to ensure Sabertooth Wyvern doesn’t soar to victory.


Cards like Sabertooth Wyvern

Sabertooth Wyvern stakes its claim within Magic: The Gathering creature dynamics through its flying ability and echo cost. It shares the sky with cards like Shivan Dragon, which also boasts flying and can pump its power. However, Sabertooth Wyvern remains noteworthy because of its automatic strength enhancement when blocked. Unlike Shivan Dragon, it doesn’t require additional mana investment to increase its power.

Another card to consider is Charging Monstrosaur, which offers immediate impact thanks to haste and considerable power and toughness. Although lacking the flying trait, it compensates with trample, allowing it to punch through the defensive line effectively. Sabertooth Wyvern stands out with its potential for tactical surprise, especially against unsuspecting defenders incapable of withstanding its enhanced attack strength.

Within the domain of Magic: The Gathering, each creature card brings its own strategic advantages. Sabertooth Wyvern is no exception, finding a unique stride between evasion and conditional power boost, making it a creature worth considering for decks aiming to capitalize on aerial offense.

Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Charging Monstrosaur - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Charging Monstrosaur - Ixalan (XLN)

Cards similar to Sabertooth Wyvern by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Earth Elemental - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Eron the Relentless - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Balduvian War-Makers - Alliances (ALL)
Hivis of the Scale - Mirage (MIR)
Hulking Cyclops - Visions (VIS)
Flame Spirit - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Flowstone Salamander - Tempest (TMP)
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Ravaging Horde - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Covetous Dragon - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Thundering Giant - Tenth Edition (10E)
Dwarven Strike Force - Odyssey (ODY)
Savage Firecat - Odyssey (ODY)
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Tephraderm - Onslaught (ONS)
Avarax - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Bonethorn Valesk - Scourge (SCG)
Frost Ogre - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Heartless Hidetsugu - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sabertooth Wyvern MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Tempest Remastered, 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 Sabertooth Wyvern and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sabertooth Wyvern Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Keith Parkinson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-06-15ExodusEXO 991997normalblackKeith Parkinson
22015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 1532015normalblackKeith Parkinson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sabertooth Wyvern has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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