Duskfang Mentor MTG Card


Duskfang Mentor - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number86
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byLivia Prima

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances creatures with +1/+1 counters and lifelink during cycling, increasing board strength while drawing cards.
  2. Instant speed cycling of Duskfang Mentor provides adaptability and can disrupt opponent’s tactics.
  3. Lifelink ability aids in longevity, pairing well with cards that thrive on life gain.

Text of card

When Duskfang Mentor enters the battlefield, put a lifelink counter on target non-Human creature you control. , : Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with lifelink.

"What she sees, I see. What she tastes, I taste."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability to put a +1/+1 counter on a creature each time you cycle another card means Duskfang Mentor helps you continually strengthen your board while drawing into new options.

Resource Acceleration: Duskfang Mentor’s lifelink ability can be a valuable resource in games, offering you a way to gain life each time the mentored creature attacks. This effect not only keeps you in the game longer but also can be synergistically combined with other cards that trigger off life gain.

Instant Speed: Duskfang Mentor’s cycle ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to adapt during your opponent’s turn. This can surprise an attacker with an unexpected blocker or provide a quick card draw when you most need it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Duskfang Mentor requires you to discard a card each time you want to utilize its ability. This could prove to be quite a setback, especially when your hand is already running low on cards. Having to give up another valuable resource may not always align with your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana, one swamp and two other types, to be cast. This necessitates a commitment to black mana in your deck, which can restrict your ability to include it in more diverse or color-fluid strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including one that’s color-specific, Duskfang Mentor may be considered on the higher end for creatures of its caliber. In fast-paced games, the cost of playing it could impede your tempo, making it less favorable compared to other options with lower mana requirements or more impactful abilities.


Reasons to Include Duskfang Mentor in Your Collection

Versatility: Duskfang Mentor adds strategic depth to decks focused on creature development, fitting seamlessly into lifegain and counter-based strategies.

Combo Potential: The mentor’s ability to place lifelink counters partners well with cards that proliferate or benefit from creatures with lifelink, enhancing board presence and survival.

Meta-Relevance: With aggressive strategies often populating the meta, Duskfang Mentor can serve as an effective bulwark, boosting creature resilience and lifegain potential, thus altering the pace of play in your favor.


How to Beat Duskfang Mentor

Duskfang Mentor is a specialized card that bolsters your board with lifelink capabilities in MTG, enhancing your creature’s survivability. Integral to decks that pivot on life gain strategies, this card can become quite a nuisance if not addressed promptly. To combat Duskfang Mentor’s advantage, it’s vital to utilize removal spells efficiently. Waiting for the right moment, like right after your opponent has spent mana to use its ability, can maximize your tempo and disrupt their game plan.

Timing is everything – consider instant-speed removals like Murder or Heartless Act to eliminate the Mentor before its effect becomes too overwhelming. It’s also smart to employ board wipes like Shatter the Sky or Storm’s Wrath to reset the playing field. These play around the lifelink provided by the Mentor, as a creature with lifelink can’t gain life if it’s not on the battlefield. Additionally, countering life gain directly with cards like Tibalt, Rakish Instigator that prevent opponents from gaining life, can negate Duskfang Mentor’s primary utility.

In summary, prioritizing the removal of Duskfang Mentor, either before or immediately after it imparts lifelink, can help keep an opponent’s life-gain strategy at bay. With strategic play and the right answers in hand, you can mitigate the impact of Duskfang Mentor on the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding how to leverage cards like Duskfang Mentor can set you apart in the realm of MTG. With its potential to fortify your creatures while cycling through your deck, strategic inclusion may elevate your gameplay. However, recognizing its strengths and weaknesses is critical. Informed decisions around its playability depending on your deck’s strategy and mana curve are crucial. Whether building a lifegain-centric deck or looking for flexible cycling options, Duskfang Mentor has a place. Ready to deepen your deck-building skills and explore the synergies that Duskfang Mentor can unlock? Dive into our extensive resources to refine your strategies and optimize your collection.


Cards like Duskfang Mentor

Duskfang Mentor is an intriguing addition to creature-enhancing cards in Magic: The Gathering. It’s reminiscent of cards such as Knightly Valor, which also boosts creatures’ abilities. However, Duskfang Mentor’s unique Lifelink-giving ability provides a different tactical advantage. Unlike Knightly Valor, which also lends a +2/+2 bonus, Duskfang Mentor instead puts a +1/+1 counter on a target creature and equips them with Lifelink, potentially allowing for a more sustainable position during the match.

Another comparable card is Vampire Nighthawk, which naturally possesses Lifelink and Flying, making it a formidable presence in the sky. While Vampire Nighthawk brings Lifelink intrinsically, Duskfang Mentor offers the flexibility to distribute this ability broadly to any deserving creature on the battlefield. Ajani’s Pridemate shares some synergy with Duskfang Mentor as well, growing more robust with each instance of life gain, however, it lacks the mentorship aspect that Duskfang brings to the table.

Ultimately, Duskfang Mentor should be regarded as a strategic asset within Magic: The Gathering, particularly for decks thriving on Lifelink synergy and incremental advantage strategies. Versatile and potent, this card is a fine pick for players valuing long-term battlefield presence and tactical creature enhancement.

Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duskfang Mentor MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Duskfang Mentor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Duskfang Mentor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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