Glittering Lynx MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Cat
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	11
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Frazier

Key Takeaways

Glittering Lynx indirectly grants card advantage by exhausting opponents’ resources through protective abilities.
Its low cost and activation at instant speed offer strategic depth, especially in early game phases.
Discarding to optimize Lynx’s potential might competitively impact hand resources during matches.

Text of card

Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Glittering Lynx. : Until end of turn, Glittering Lynx loses "Prevent all damage that would be dealt to Glittering Lynx." Any player may play this ability.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Glittering Lynx doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to prevent all damage that would be dealt to it—unless the opponent pays 2 mana—can indirectly lead to card advantage by outlasting opponents’ creatures in combat, effectively ‘drawing out’ their resources.

Resource Acceleration: Glittering Lynx itself doesn’t offer a ramp in resources; however, its low casting cost and protective ability can save valuable mana in the early game. This saved mana can then be used for more impactful spells sooner, accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Glittering Lynx is not an instant, its ability can be activated at instant speed. This means during any part of an opponent’s turn, you can potentially alter their combat decisions by making Lynx immune to damage, provided you have the mana available. This reactive capability can be a strategic advantage during the course of a game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Glittering Lynx’s potential, players must often satisfy a discard condition, depleting their hand and possibly losing key cards needed for later gameplay strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana alignment, including white, which could restrict deck-building options and its inclusion in multicolored decks that may not prioritize white mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Glittering Lynx itself may not have a high casting cost, its activated abilities or conditions for peak performance might necessitate a significant mana investment that may not compare favorably to other creatures or spells in the same mana range.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Glittering Lynx offers a unique ability to prevent all damage that would be dealt to it for just two mana. This makes it an excellent defensive option for many decks, adapting well across various playstyles that value durable creatures on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Its protection ability can be used in conjunction with cards that benefit from creatures surviving combat or damage-dealing effects. This synergy allows players to build around Glittering Lynx, utilizing it as a key piece in complex strategy layers.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Glittering Lynx can act as a robust line of defense. It excels in slowing down the pace for control or combo decks, giving players the time they require to stabilize and execute their game plan.

How to beat

Glittering Lynx presents a unique defensive challenge in Magic: The Gathering, not by virtue of its power, but through its ability to create an almost impenetrable barrier. This low-cost creature can be key to stalling more aggressive strategies, thanks to its prevention ability that stops all damage that would be dealt to it unless the opponent pays some mana.

To successfully navigate around Glittering Lynx’s defenses, consider employing removal spells that don’t deal damage or using board wipes that circumvent its prevention ability. Cards such as Path to Exile or Board the Weatherlight can cleanly dispatch the Lynx without triggering its defensive stance. Alternatively, you could use enchantment-based removal like Oblivion Ring to neutralize Glittering Lynx and remove it from the battlefield without engaging it directly in combat.

Understand that patience and strategic resource management play a key role. While it may be tempting to power through, remember that doing so can exhaust valuable resources that might be needed later in the game. Carefully balancing the aggression with calculated moves will ensure that Glittering Lynx doesn’t put a permanent crimp in your game plan.

Cards like Glittering Lynx

Glittering Lynx stands out in the collection of low-cost creatures in MTG. It’s akin to creatures like Lagonna-Band Trailblazer, both providing a defense-oriented option for just one white mana. The Lynx offers a unique protective capability, becoming practically invulnerable to damage once you have the mana to spare. In contrast, Trailblazer gains toughness through its heroic ability, which necessitates the casting of spells to be effective.

Comparing it to another similar card, Benevolent Bodyguard, players may notice that both creatures serve protective roles. While Bodyguard can sacrifice itself to shield another creature, Lynx uses a preventive approach, warding off would-be damage with its activated ability. This gives players a lasting deterrent against attacks, as opposed to the Bodyguard’s one-time use.

Furthermore, we can look at cards like Mother of Runes, which also offer protection in a single mana creature. Though Mother of Runes provides versatility by granting protection from colors, Glittering Lynx requires no tap, allowing it to remain a defensive wall even after its ability is activated.

In evaluating the strengths of these different protectors, Glittering Lynx earns its place for its ability to consistently fortify your lines in a game of MTG, offering a steadfast presence on the battlefield.

Lagonna-Band Trailblazer - MTG Card versions

Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Glittering Lynx by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Glittering Lynx MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Glittering Lynx and other MTG cards: