Falkenrath Exterminator MTG Card

Falkenrath Exterminator - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Avacyn Restored (AVR)
2012-05-04 - Number 134

Falkenrath Exterminator - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)

March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
2023-04-21 - Number 276

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Vampire Archer
Power	1
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Enhances board control and preserves card advantage by dealing damage while growing stronger over time.
Instant speed damage adds flexibility, disrupting opponents’ plans and controlling the pace of the game.
Limited by specific mana requirements and conditions to maximize its potential, influencing deck construction.

Text of card

Whenever Falkenrath Exterminator deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it. : Falkenrath Exterminator deals damage to target creature equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on Falkenrath Exterminator.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Falkenrath Exterminator grants incremental card advantage by dealing damage and potentially removing your opponent’s creatures without losing card resources yourself. As the creature accumulates +1/+1 counters, it becomes a greater threat that demands an answer, all while preserving your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing resource acceleration like cards that generate mana, Falkenrath Exterminator can rapidly accelerate your board presence. By eliminating opposing creatures, it paves the way for your other creatures to attack freely, thus accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: The Exterminator’s ability to deal damage can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn. This instant-speed interaction keeps you in control, making it harder for your opponent to predict and play around your strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Falkenrath Exterminator necessitates a certain condition for its ability to level up. You must cause damage to a player in order to put a +1/+1 counter on it, which may not always be convenient or possible, hindering its potential for growth in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Falkenrath Exterminator includes red mana, which might not align well with multicolor decks that have a different focus or with players who prefer a more diverse mana base. This can limit the card’s adaptability across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the cost-to-impact ratio, the activation of Falkenrath Exterminator’s second ability is comparatively high. While dealing damage equal to the number of +1/+1 counters to target creature is powerful, it demands a significant mana investment and a built-up Exterminator, which in high-paced games could prove to be a costly and slow strategy.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Falkenrath Exterminator offers adaptability to various gameplay strategies, providing both direct creature control and a scaling threat that intensifies with each vanquished foe.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that focus on dealing damage to creatures, as it not only removes threats but also becomes a formidable attacker or blocker, capitalizing on the +1/+1 counters it accumulates.

Meta-Relevance: It thrives in a playing environment rich with creature-centric decks, deterring opponents from deploying their small to mid-sized creatures and flourishing as both an early removal option and a late-game power player.

How to beat

The Falkenrath Exterminator is a card that can be quite challenging to deal with in MTG due to its ability to grow stronger with each creature it destroys. To effectively counter this card, players need to adopt strategies that minimize its ability to leverage its creature-killing prowess. One such strategy involves using removal spells that do not allow the Exterminator to deal damage, such as those that exile or bounce it back to its owner’s hand. Cards like Path to Exile or Unsummon can prevent the Exterminator from accumulating +1/+1 counters.

Evasion tactics can also prove beneficial. Deploying creatures with flying or other abilities that make them less susceptible to combat can help avoid direct confrontation with the Exterminator. If the Exterminator has already beefed up, it might be prudent to use board wipes like Supreme Verdict to reset the field. Moreover, enchantments that pacify or prevent the Exterminator from attacking or blocking are excellent tools to neutralize its threat forcefully.

In essence, dealing with Falkenrath Exterminator is about preventing it from exploiting its strengths. By precisely choosing your removal or control spells, establishing a game plan that dodges direct engagement, or resetting the field when necessary, you can keep the Exterminator in check and maintain an upper hand in your matches.

Cards like Falkenrath Exterminator

Falkenrath Exterminator is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering with a knack for dealing with opponents’ creatures as a game progresses. Its ability to gain +1/+1 counters when it damages a player, and subsequently use those counters to deal damage to target creatures, draws parallels to other Magic cards with growth and removal potentials.

Comparable to Falkenrath Exterminator is the card Triskelion, which comes into play with +1/+1 counters and also can remove them to deal damage to any target. While Triskelion doesn’t require damaging a player to gather counters, it does have a higher mana cost, affecting when and how it can be played in a deck. Fangren Marauder, another creature that grows stronger over time, gains life when artifacts are put into a graveyard, differing from Exterminator’s creature damage focus but still showcases growth through interaction with the game’s mechanics.

The versatility and potential scaling of damage with Falkenrath Exterminator make it an intriguing choice for decks that can reliably deal damage to players and require targeted creature removal. While other cards may offer some similarities, the Exterminator’s incremental growth and creature-targeted removal capabilities offer a unique blend of strategies for player decks.

Cards similar to Falkenrath Exterminator by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Falkenrath Exterminator MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and March of the Machine Commander, 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 Falkenrath Exterminator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Falkenrath Exterminator Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.