Pavel Maliki MTG Card

Legends (LEG)
1994-06-01 - Number 248

Pavel Maliki - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Masters Edition III (ME3)
2009-09-07 - Number 165

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Legendary Creature — Human
Power	5
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Pavel Maliki offers subtle card advantage and boosts board presence in Black and Red MTG decks.
Demands specific mana combinations and has a higher mana value, posing potential deck-building challenges.
Legendary status and old-school playstyle make Pavel Maliki a distinct and versatile piece in MTG.

Text of card

o Boo R +1/+0 until end of turn.

We all know the legend: Pavel wanders the realms, helping those in greatest need. But is this a measure of his generosity, or of his obligation to atone?

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pavel Maliki can be a subtle yet effective way to keep your hand filled with options. As a black card, any deck that leverages Pavel will benefit from the many ways black can draw and manipulate cards, indirectly providing card advantage by forcing opponents to deal with Pavel or face growing threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Pavel Maliki doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it helps maintain board presence, which is crucial for strategies aimed at ramping up to more potent spells. Each successful attack can equate to preserved resources that might otherwise be spent on casting creatures.

Instant Speed: While Pavel Maliki himself doesn’t operate at instant speed, many of the tricks and spells in the same colors can be used at the end of your opponent’s turn, allowing you to adapt to the board state with Pavel ready to capitalize on any weaknesses.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pavel Maliki’s ability necessitates the discard of a card, which can set you back, particularly in game stages where your hand size is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a unique mana combination that includes both red and black, constraining its inclusion to only those decks that can reliably produce both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a mana value of four, Pavel Maliki might be considered costly, especially when there are other creatures and spells that offer a greater impact on the board for the same or lower investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pavel Maliki is a vintage addition that can adapt to various Red or Black-based decks, offering both aggressive and mana ramp strategies a supportive role.

Combo Potential: As a legendary creature, Pavel Maliki can synergize with an array of equipment cards or spells that benefit from legendary status, enhancing its ability to deal damage or sustain on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In older formats where legends matter, Pavel Maliki might find a niche, particularly in Commander games where its Red and Black identity can align with broader deck themes and strategies.

How to beat

Pavel Maliki is a unique piece in the vast landscape of legendary creatures within MTG, boasting an ability that can add a subtle yet steady advantage to your opponent’s board state. This advantage comes in the form of Pavel’s power to deal damage while also boosting his own strength through untapped red creatures. To effectively counter Pavel Maliki, it is crucial to implement tactics that can neutralize this ability or remove him from the battlefield swiftly.

Strategy-wise, direct removal spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile are highly effective as they bypass his damage-triggering condition. Additionally, employing creatures with deathtouch or playing cards that change the combat dynamics, such as instant-speed removals, combat tricks, or board sweeps like Wrath of God, can help you maintain control. Remember, Pavel thrives in a strategy rich in red creatures, so minimizing the number of targets for his ability or applying pressure on your opponent’s creature base can hinder their game plan and give you the upper hand.

Overall, understanding the mechanisms of Pavel Maliki’s strengths and planning a defensive strategy that addresses his synergistic playstyle are key to outpacing your opponent. Utilize removals, control the board, and prevent your opponent from gaining momentum to secure victory against a deck featuring Pavel Maliki.

Cards like Pavel Maliki

Pavel Maliki holds a unique position within MTG as a nod to early game design. This legendary creature from the Legends set echoes the abilities of cards like Raging Bull, where the archetype is to reward players for every attack. Pavel Maliki, however, distinguishes itself by requiring red mana for each attack, binding its potential damage boost to mana availability, unlike Raging Bull which has no such constraint.

In comparison, Tor Wauki presents a similar offensive utility by turning mana into direct damage, but it operates with the flexibility of aiming at creatures as well as players without needing to attack. Another card, Boris Devilboon, can also utilize mana to create an army of token creatures, though it offers a different strategic advantage that isn’t tied directly to combat damage. Nevertheless, Pavel Maliki’s combination of legendary status and the aggressive playstyle it fosters provides a specific allure for players fond of old-school MTG strategies and the history they carry.

Though not a staple in competitive play, Pavel Maliki holds its place among MTG cards as a relic of its time, offering a blend of aggressive potential and historical charm that some players may find an intriguing alternative to modern equivalents.

Cards similar to Pavel Maliki by color, type and mana cost

Rohgahh of Kher Keep - MTG Card versions

Zagras, Thief of Heartbeats - MTG Card versions

Deathbringer Thoctar - MTG Card versions

Rakdos, the Showstopper - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pavel Maliki MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Pavel Maliki and other MTG cards: