Tetzimoc, Primal Death MTG Card


Tetzimoc, Primal Death - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Elder Dinosaur
Abilities Deathtouch
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number86
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byZack Stella

Key Takeaways

  1. Tetzimoc offers potential board control by marking threats for elimination before even entering the field.
  2. Its ability to clear opponents’ creatures can lead to significant shifts in game tempo and resource distribution.
  3. Strategic hand usage and mana requirements are necessary to maximize Tetzimoc’s overwhelming impact on gameplay.

Text of card

Deathtouch , Reveal Tetzimoc, Primal Death from your hand: Put a prey counter on target creature. Activate this ability only during your turn. When Tetzimoc enters the battlefield, destroy each creature your opponents control with a prey counter on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tetzimoc Primal Death brings significant card advantage to the battlefield. Its unique ability to place Prey counters on creatures simply by revealing it from your hand gives you potential control over multiple threats your opponents have in play. Once it enters the battlefield, you can destroy any number of creatures with Prey counters on them, setting you up for overwhelming board dominance.

Resource Acceleration: While Tetzimoc itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, managing to clear your opponent’s threats in one fell swoop can indirectly lead to a resource acceleration. By not needing to allocate additional cards and mana for creature removal, you save those resources for furthering your own game plan. In this way, Tetzimoc can provide a massive swing in tempo and resource distribution.

Instant Speed: Although Tetzimoc’s Prey counter ability is not at instant speed, the direct impact of this card when it lands on the battlefield can be as disruptive as an instant. The threat of activation changes the pace of the game, forcing opponents to play around a board wipe that could be unleashed any time Tetzimoc is cast.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tetzimoc, Primal Death mandates that you reveal it from your hand and pay black mana to place a prey counter on a creature. This gameplay mechanic, while not a traditional discard, reduces the surprise element of the card and requires strategic hand management to optimize its potential. If you’re unable to maintain a comfortable number of cards in hand, Tetzimoc’s requirement can become an Achilles’ heel, limiting the element of surprise and showing your plans to your opponent prematurely.

Specific Mana Cost: Tetzimoc, Primal Death is locked into a specific mana cost that requires significant black mana investment. This necessity for three black mana can hinder its inclusion in multicolor decks that may struggle to obtain the necessary mana for an early or even timely play, making it less versatile and more predictable than other creatures which are less color demanding.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Tetzimoc offers a formidable board wipe ability, its six mana total cost is non-negligible, particularly since it requires a turn of setup to utilize its prey counter ability effectively. In faster-paced games or against decks that prioritize tempo, Tetzimoc’s mana cost may prove too unwieldy, giving opponents ample time to build their board presence or respond to the threat it poses.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tetzimoc, Primal Death offers an adaptable removal option for black decks, capable of dealing with multiple threats at once. Its ability to potentially clear the board makes it a valuable asset in a variety of gameplay situations.

Combo Potential: This dinosaur’s prey counters can set the stage for devastating combos. Pair Tetzimoc with cards that proliferate or manipulate counters for even greater effect, turning it into a recurring threat that opponents must always account for.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that sees frequent creature-based strategies, Tetzimoc maintains relevance. Its ability to disrupt opponent’s board presence ensures it’s a considerable threat in a diverse set of match-ups, keeping your opponent’s creatures—and plans—in check.


How to beat

Tetzimoc, Primal Death is a formidable creature that commands respect on the battlefield in MTG. With its ability to destroy opponents’ creatures before it even enters the battlefield, it can be an overwhelming threat. To counter this, focus on denying its deathtouch trigger. Keeping your creatures’ power higher than what Tetzimoc can destroy, utilizing indestructible creatures, or leveraging cards that grant protection from black can tilt the battlefield in your favor.

Additionally, Tetzimoc’s power lies in the hand, so hand disruption strategies work well. Cards that force your opponent to discard or reveal their hand can effectively neutralize Tetzimoc before its ability becomes a factor. Counter spells are also key; by preventing Tetzimoc from hitting the field, you sidestep its lethal entrance altogether. Remember, timing is critical—act swiftly against this primal predator.

Ultimately, the most efficient way to handle Tetzimoc, Primal Death is to keep it off the board. With strategic planning and the right mix of control elements, this prehistoric power can be contained, allowing you to maintain dominance in your MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the MTG universe, Tetzimoc Primal Death emerges as a card of might and menace, offering dynamic gameplay and deck-building opportunities. Its unique mechanics can shift the tide of battle in your favor with the right strategy. If you’re devoted to honing your skills and evolving your gameplay, embracing the power of Tetzimoc can be a game-changer. With nuanced understanding and creative combos, your deck can harness its full potential. Ready to deepen your MTG knowledge and optimize your deck’s efficiency? Explore with us for insights, tips, and tactics that will shape you into a formidable player.


Cards like Tetzimoc, Primal Death

Tetzimoc, Primal Death stands as a formidable presence in the myriad of MTG creatures. It shares the stage with other powerful destroy-on-demand creatures like Noxious Gearhulk. While Tetzimoc’s strength lies in its potential to wipe multiple creatures at once pre-setup during your turn, Noxious Gearhulk provides immediate impact, destroying a target creature and gaining life equal to its toughness, all upon entry to the battlefield.

Dread Presence is another card that treads a similar path, offering a way to control the board through its land-triggered abilities. Although it doesn’t boast the mass removal potential of Tetzimoc, it provides a consistent way to handle threats or gain life. Phyrexian Obliterator poses its unique challenge, compelling opponents to think twice before engaging due to its catastrophic sacrifice-triggering ability upon taking damage.

Each of these powerhouses offers a unique approach to controlling the board. Tetzimoc’s preemptive strike capability can swing games, while its contemporaries provide immediate or ongoing presence. Evaluating them reveals the depth of strategy and options available for players seeking dominance through creature control in Magic: The Gathering.

Noxious Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Dread Presence - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Obliterator - MTG Card versions
Noxious Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Dread Presence - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Obliterator - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tetzimoc, Primal Death MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Tetzimoc, Primal Death and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tetzimoc, Primal Death has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tetzimoc, Primal Death card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-01-19 Tetzimoc’s triggered ability doesn’t care how a prey counter got onto a creature an opponent controls or whose Tetzimoc put that counter on the creature. Tetzimoc is happy to eat all the opponent’s prey it can see.
2018-01-19 You can activate Tetzimoc’s activated ability more than once during your turn.

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