Spinehorn Minotaur MTG Card
2019-06-14 - Number 147
2021-08-26 - Number 516
2019-06-05 - Number 38
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Minotaur Berserker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Activating Bloodthirst with instant spells before playing Spinehorn Minotaur enhances its combat prowess efficiently.
- Adept at turning card draw into aggressive advantages, making it a formidable addition to red strategies.
- Strategic removal and timing can easily counteract the Minotaur’s double strike ability, neutralizing its threat.
Text of card
As long as you've drawn two or more cards this turn, Spinehorn Minotaur has double strike.
"If you think twice, I'll cut twice."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spinehorn Minotaur can potentially draw multiple cards if you’re able to consistently enable its Bloodthirst mechanic, providing a steady flow of options in your hand as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Although Spinehorn Minotaur itself doesn’t directly produce mana or increase your resources, its feasible casting cost allows for a quick deployment onto the battlefield, which in turn can rapidly accelerate the damage output to your opponent.
Instant Speed: This creature card benefits greatly from instant speed spells that trigger its Bloodthirst ability by dealing damage to an opponent before it’s played. This sequencing can effectively beef up the Minotaur, allowing for more aggressive plays and maintaining tempo without waiting for your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spinehorn Minotaur, while harnessing the potential to become a powerhouse on the battlefield, comes with a condition that cannot be ignored. In order for this creature’s ability of having double strike to be activated, a player must have drawn two cards during their turn. This caveat often necessitates the discarding of valuable hand cards to fulfill the requirement, which can deplete your resources, making it a double-edged sword.
Specific Mana Cost: Another consideration when integrating Spinehorn Minotaur into your deck is its specific mana cost, requiring a commitment to red mana. The 2 red mana cost makes it a strategic choice primarily for mono-red or red-heavy decks, limiting its versatility across the diverse spectrum of MTG archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting requirement of three mana, including two that must be red, Spinehorn Minotaur’s cost efficiency is brought into question. Although a 2/3 creature with the potential for double strike is formidable, the mana cost may overshadow the benefits when compared to other options in the same mana bracket that could contribute to game state immediately without contingent abilities.
Reasons to Include Spinehorn Minotaur in Your Collection
Versatility: Spinehorn Minotaur can be a dynamic component in red-based aggressive decks. Its ability to gain double strike when you’ve drawn two or more cards in a turn allows for adaptable strategies that can surprise opponents with a sudden burst of damage.
Combo Potential: Pairing Spinehorn Minotaur with card draw mechanics can create powerful synergies, as this creature turns extra draw into potential for amplified damage, which can be pivotal in turning the tide of a match.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where swift, aggressive strategies are effective, Spinehorn Minotaur shines by fitting neatly into red deck archetypes that are focused on cycling and card draw, making it a relevant choice for players looking to gain an edge in the current competitive scene.
How to beat
Spinehorn Minotaur adds a unique dynamic to creature cards in the world of MTG. Known for its ability to become momentarily formidable with double strike when a player has drawn two or more cards within a turn, it presents an interesting challenge to overcome. However, savvy players can counter it without significant difficulty. The key lies in keeping card draw under control, utilizing instant-speed removals or blockers that can survive the first hit and remove it in combat.
Remember, Spinehorn Minotaur thrives in environments rich in card draw triggers, so strategically timing your spells or disrupting your opponent’s card draw flow can render the Minotaur’s ability irrelevant. Employ the use of cheap removal spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt that can take it down before it becomes a double-striking threat. Alternatively, playing creatures with enough toughness to sustain an initial strike ensures they can retaliate and take down the Minotaur in combat. While the Minotaur may seem daunting when its double strike is active, its base stats without the triggered ability are relatively manageable.
Ultimately, understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s strategy and carefully choosing when to deploy your removal spells will nullify the temporary power spike Spinehorn Minotaur can achieve.
Cards like Spinehorn Minotaur
Spinehorn Minotaur holds a unique presence in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to creatures like Bloodmad Vampire for their mutual dependence on discard mechanics to unlock their full potential. Spinehorn Minotaur gains double strike until the end of the turn whenever a player draws their second card, lending a substantial increase in combat damage output.
Contrasting it with creatures such as Skyknight Vanguard reveals differences in tactical approaches. While Skyknight Vanguard excels in generating token creatures and facilitating wider board presence, Spinehorn Minotaur emphasizes a singular, powerful attack. Furthermore, the Minotaur card synergizes well with strategies revolving around card draw, similar to how the Ardent Elementalist works by recurring instant or sorcery cards, albeit through vastly different mechanics.
In the scope of creatures that thrive on certain actions being taken mid-game, Spinehorn Minotaur distinctly provides an aggressive angle. With clever deck building and a focus on card draw strategies, this Minotaur can be a formidable threat, significantly enhancing its impact as compared to more passive or resource-intensive creatures.
Cards similar to Spinehorn Minotaur by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spinehorn Minotaur // Spinehorn Minotaur MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons Art Series and Modern Horizons, 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 Spinehorn Minotaur // Spinehorn Minotaur 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 Spinehorn Minotaur // Spinehorn Minotaur Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modern Horizons Art Series | AMH1 | 38 | 2015 | art_series | borderless | Jesper Ejsing | ||
| 2 | 2019-06-14 | Modern Horizons | MH1 | 147 | 2015 | normal | black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 516 | 2015 | normal | black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spinehorn Minotaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spinehorn Minotaur card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-06-14 | If Spinehorn Minotaur gains double strike only after combat damage has already been dealt (most likely because another creature’s ability caused you to draw a card when it dealt combat damage), Spinehorn Minotaur will deal only normal combat damage. |
| 2019-06-14 | If a spell or ability causes you to put cards into your hand without specifically using the word “draw,” Spinehorn Minotaur’s effect doesn’t count them. |
| 2019-06-14 | Spinehorn Minotaur’s effect applies even if you drew two or more cards only before Spinehorn Minotaur entered the battlefield. |
