Manticore Eternal MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Manticore |
| Abilities | Afflict |
| Released | 2017-07-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Hour of Devastation |
| Set code | HOU |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 103 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yeong-Hao Han |
Key Takeaways
- It pushes through damage, indirectly leading to card advantage and pressuring opponents.
- Demands a red mana focus and may result in a thinner hand due to discard.
- Combines well in damage-oriented decks, offering solid aggression and combo synergy.
Text of card
Afflict 3 (Whenever this creature becomes blocked, defending player loses 3 life.) Manticore Eternal attacks each combat if able.
While most Eternals were initiates who completed the trials, Bolas had plans for some of Amonkhet's other denizens.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Even though Manticore Eternal doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its robust presence on the field demands answers from opponents. If not dealt with, it can repeatedly deal substantial damage, indirectly leading to card advantage as your opponent is compelled to use up resources trying to remove it.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing resource acceleration in the traditional sense of adding mana, Manticore Eternal puts a clock on the game. By pressuring life totals, it can accelerate the game towards a conclusion, requiring fewer turns and resources to achieve victory.
Instant Speed: Manticore Eternal itself isn’t played at instant speed, but its keyword ability, Afflict 3, ensures that even if it’s blocked, you’re still pushing through damage—effectively surprising your opponent and acting much like an instant forcing through damage during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Manticore Eternal necessitates the act of discarding a card to unleash its potential. Though designed as part of a strategic play, this requirement can backfire when your hand is already running thin on cards, leaving you with fewer options for future turns and potentially dampening your tactical advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a precise mana alignment, the cost comprising exclusively of red mana. This constraint binds it to red-themed decks and affects its flexibility, posing a challenge when constructing multi-color deck strategies or when you’re grappling with a color-blocked hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Five mana to field Manticore Eternal is a significant investment, considering the options available within the same sphere of power and cost. There are other creatures and spells that could offer similar or greater impact for an equal or lower mana expenditure. The balance of cost versus impact is a critical factor in deck construction, and the relatively high cost of this card is a point to consider when planning your gameplay and managing your mana resources efficiently.
Reasons to Include Manticore Eternal in Your Collection
Versatility: Manticore Eternal’s aggression makes it a solid choice in a variety of red-based decks, particularly those that thrive on constant pressure and attacker-based strategies.
Combo Potential: Its afflict ability guarantees that damage will be dealt even if it’s blocked, which can work beautifully in combos with cards that benefit from dealt damage or opponent life loss.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to consistently deal combat damage, it can be particularly effective in metas where creatures are a dominant force, countering board stalls and pressuring opponents.
How to beat
Manticore Eternal is a powerful creature that packs a punch in Magic: The Gathering. This aggressive card can be a real headache for players, especially considering its afflict 3 and ability to be indestructible when attacking. However, there are viable strategies to contain this fiery beast.
One effective tactic is to leverage spells or creatures that can exile it from the battlefield. Since the Manticore Eternal’s indestructibility only applies when attacking, it is still susceptible to being removed from the game entirely through exile effects. Board wipes that don’t destroy but exile, such as Anguished Unmaking or Path to Exile, can cleanly deal with this threat.
Another approach is to use creatures with reach or flying to block and minimize the damage Manticore Eternal can inflict upon you. Cards with damage prevention or those that can neutralize abilities, such as Pacifism, can stop the Manticore in its tracks. Utilizing instant-speed spells that target and neutralize attackers or block multiple creatures can also turn the tide. In sum, while Manticore Eternal has the potential to dominate the battlefield, strategic plays and the right cards can beat it and keep your game on track.
Cards like Manticore Eternal
Manticore Eternal enters the bustling arena of relentless attackers within Magic: The Gathering. This creature shares its aggressive trait with cards like Ahn-Crop Crasher, which also prevents blocks from creatures to clear the way for an assault. Manticore Eternal, however, is unique with its afflict 3 ability, ensuring damage even if it’s blocked. Ahn-Crop Crasher lacks this punishing feature, instead offering exert for a temporary block denial.
Another comparable card is the Charging Monstrosaur, which also boasts haste, enabling quick attacks. However, it doesn’t share the afflict mechanic but compensates with a larger body. The distinction in power and toughness can be influential, as Manticore Eternal is easier to remove in combat. On the defensive side, the monstrosaur doesn’t automatically attack each turn, giving you more control over your plays.
In assessing these red creatures designed for aggressive strategies, Manticore Eternal stands out due to its ability to guarantee damage with afflict and its forced attack, pushing players towards a more offensive and risk-reward based gameplay. This makes it a noteworthy option for aggressive MTG decks.
Cards similar to Manticore Eternal by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Manticore Eternal MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Manticore Eternal and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Manticore Eternal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Manticore Eternal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | Afflict causes the defending player to lose life; it’s not damage or combat damage. |
| 2017-07-14 | Afflict resolves before combat damage is dealt. If this loss of life brings a player to 0 life or less, that player loses the game immediately. A blocking creature with lifelink won’t deal combat damage in time to save that player. |
| 2017-07-14 | If a creature is attacking a planeswalker, that planeswalker’s controller is the defending player. |
| 2017-07-14 | If multiple creatures block a creature with afflict, afflict triggers only once. |
| 2017-07-14 | If, during your declare attackers step, Manticore Eternal is tapped or is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having it attack, you aren’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either. |
