Lichenthrope MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Plant Fungus
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	112
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Bob Eggleton

Key Takeaways

Lichenthrope gives card advantage when it takes damage, maintaining options and battlefield presence.
Demands hand sacrifice and specific deck colors, limiting its versatility in some scenarios.
Combos well with certain strategies, countering prevalent damage-dealing decks effectively.

Text of card

For each 1 damage dealt to Lichenthrope, put a -1/-1 counter on it instead. During your upkeep, remove one of these -1/-1 counters from Lichenthrope.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lichenthrope is a unique creature card that offers a distinct form of resilience. When it takes damage, it permits you to draw cards, potentially replacing itself in your hand and keeping your options open on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Not directly impacting mana resources, Lichenthrope’s value lies in its staying power. By virtue of resistance to dying from damage, it can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by maintaining a threat on the board that your opponent must address, possibly diverting resources from other endeavors.

Instant Speed: While Lichenthrope itself doesn’t have flash, its ability to generate card advantage at any speed where damage can be applied makes it a versatile threat. It synergizes well with other cards in your deck that may interact or trigger at instant speed, helping you keep up with the flow of the game and react to your opponent’s moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lichenthrope’s versatility is tempered by its demand for card sacrifice, forcing players to relinquish valuable hand assets that could otherwise contribute to strategic depth or contingency plans.

Specific Mana Cost: With a specific mana requirement that includes both green and black, Lichenthrope’s inclusion is restricted to decks that can accommodate this color pairing, potentially excluding a wide array of mono-colored or differently themed decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Boasting a considerable mana investment, this card’s high cost becomes apparent when juxtaposed with other creatures in its mana range, which may offer equal or greater board presence or have added abilities without the stringent prerequisites.

Reasons to Include Lichenthrope in Your Collection

Versatility: Lichenthrope offers diverse play options. Its unique ability to withstand significant damage turns it into a reliable defensive asset on the battlefield, suitable for decks that prioritize endurance and tactical play.

Combo Potential: This card’s damage prevention mechanism can be leveraged in various combo setups. It lends itself to strategies that capitalize on creature survival or those that require a dependable creature to enact more complex board interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where damage-dealing decks are prevalent, Lichenthrope provides a counterbalance. It can sustain pressure and offer a strategic advantage in matchups where resilience can tip the scales in your favor.

How to beat

Lichenthrope is a unique creature card that poses a particular challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. One of its key features is the ability to prevent damage by turning that damage into +1/+1 counters. This capability makes it not only a resilient opponent but also a growing threat if left unchecked.

When facing Lichenthrope, the ideal strategy is to use cards that don’t deal damage but rather remove, exile, or neutralize it without inflicting harm. Spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile are effective because they bypass the damage prevention and directly exile it from the battlefield. Taking advantage of cards that force sacrifice, like Diabolic Edict, can also circumvent Lichenthrope’s protection by not targeting it directly. Furthermore, applying -1/-1 counters, for instance with Black Sun’s Zenith, can reduce Lichenthrope’s toughness without involving damage, thus neatly side-stepping its damage prevention ability.

Overcoming Lichenthrope on the battlefield requires creative thinking and strategic card selection. By focusing on non-damaging removals, players can effectively handle this regenerative threat and keep the game in their favor.

Cards like Lichenthrope

Lichenthrope from the Visions set occupies a unique niche in the pantheon of MTG’s green creature cards. It possesses a versatility reminiscent of other regeneration creatures like Thrun, the Last Troll. Thrun boasts an evasive ability with its hexproof, contrasting Lichenthrope’s strength in its seemingly undying nature due to its regenerative property which involves placing a +1/+1 counter on it when it regenerates.

Comparably, Lichenthrope shares some similarities with Spike Weaver, a creature card that can distribute +1/+1 counters to control combat outcomes. Although Spike Weaver offers more control over the distribution of counters and can protect multiple creatures, Lichenthrope shines in its persistent individual toughness and being a formidable blocker. Another card worth mentioning is Melira, Sylvok Outcast, who prevents counters from being placed on your creatures, therefore negating Lichenthrope’s regenerative ability but pairing well in strategies that capitalize on counter-free mechanics.

To sum up, Lichenthrope’s resilience gives it a steady position among MTG creatures that can repeatedly avoid destruction. With regenerative cards offering different advantages, Lichenthrope holds its ground, especially in matchups where sustained board presence is crucial.

Thrun, the Last Troll - MTG Card versions

Melira, Sylvok Outcast - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lichenthrope MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Lichenthrope and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lichenthrope has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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