Tsabo Tavoc MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 281
2020-09-26 - Number INV-281
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Horror |
| Abilities | First strike,Protection |
| Power | 7 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Tsabo Tavoc excels in disrupting opponents, effectively hindering their strategies and offering card advantage.
- Flexibility may suffer due to specific mana costs, potentially limiting its inclusion to certain deck types.
- Despite a higher mana cost, its direct creature removal makes it a worthwhile addition for control-centric decks.
Text of card
First strike, protection from Legends o Bo B, oc T: Destroy target Legend. It can't be regenerated.
"I might almost pity my enemies—if it wasn't so amusing to watch them die."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tsabo Tavoc can potentially dismantle an opponent’s strategy by directly removing their commander or legendary creatures from the game, yielding significant card advantage in EDH or formats with legendary-centric decks.
Resource Acceleration: Not directly linked to resource acceleration, Tsabo Tavoc’s ability to disrupt opponents can lead to an indirect resource advantage by setting back an opponent’s mana investments and board development.
Instant Speed: While Tsabo Tavoc itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to be a constant threat on the board forces opponents to play around it, possibly keeping mana open for responses, thus impacting their pacing and resource allocation during the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tsabo Tavoc demands a significant sacrifice when casting certain spells, as you must discard a card. This can set you back, especially when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: This legendary card’s casting cost requires both red and black mana, bridging it firmly to Rakdos decks. While flavorful for its identity, this restricts flexibility and can hamper deckbuilding in a meta diverse with multicolor options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits at a heavier range, Tsabo Tavoc can be a challenge to deploy early in the game. In fast-paced matches, this can be a noticeable setback as other strategies outpace its summoning.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Tsabo Tavoc is a unique commander option, able to lead a deck that thrives on destroying creatures and dealing with threats directly.
Combo Potential: This card fits well into a deck that seeks to exploit sacrifice effects and punish opponents for relying on their creatures too much.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by creature-heavy decks, Tsabo Tavoc’s ability to take out key creatures can be a significant advantage.
How to beat
Tsabo Tavoc represents a unique challenge on the battlefield with her ability to destroy any creature at the mere touch. This formidable legendary creature can certainly dominate games, but there are proven strategies to overcome her. To defeat Tsabo Tavoc, control and evasion are key. Utilizing spells that can bypass her direct targeting, like those that provide hexproof or shroud to your creatures, can safeguard them from her lethal ability. Additionally, countering Tsabo upon casting with blue staples such as Counterspell, or removing her from play with exile effects like Path to Exile, can negate her presence entirely.
Another tactic includes reducing her impact through board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, clearing the field of Tsabo and other threats alike. Combating her indirectly by using creature abilities or spells that do not target can also effectively circumvent her ability, while maintaining pressure on the opponent. Lastly, efficient land management ensures that you can consistently cast responses to her, and enchantments that restrict players from casting legendary creatures could entirely block her from entering the fray.
In summary, with the right combination of protective measures, removal spells, and strategic gameplay, players can neutralize Tsabo Tavoc and gain the upper hand, even against such a formidable opponent in the game.
Cards like Tsabo Tavoc
In the realm of unique commanders in Magic: The Gathering, Tsabo Tavoc holds a particularly menacing presence. When considering commanders with similar destructive capabilities, one might draw parallels to creature-removal specialists like Visara the Dreadful. Both cards offer direct methods to dispatch opposing creatures, but Tsabo Tavoc presents a double threat with its ability to also target legendary creatures, a rare and powerful trait.
Another comparable card is Avatar of Woe, which, like Tsabo Tavoc, can destroy creatures without the need to tap if certain conditions are met. Although Avatar of Woe can potentially become a stronger creature, it lacks the legendary creature targeting that defines Tsabo Tavoc’s niche. Additionally, the former operates at a different pace due to its conditional ability, while Tsabo Tavoc remains ready to unleash its power without the need for setup.
When examining these options amongst legendary creature-focused strategies, Tsabo Tavoc’s specialized removal skill set combined with its aggressive stats make it a potent option for players seeking to wield fear and control over the battlefield.
Cards similar to Tsabo Tavoc by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tsabo Tavoc MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and The List, 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 Tsabo Tavoc 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 Magic products
Printings
The Tsabo Tavoc Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2000-10-02. Illustrated by Michael Sutfin.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tsabo Tavoc has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tsabo Tavoc card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-08-01 | The destroy ability only works on legendary creatures, not on other legendary permanents. |
