Mold Shambler MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 169
2013-11-01 - Number 156
2014-03-14 - Number 60
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Fungus Beast |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Provides a dual utility as a creature and a noncreature permanent removal when kicked on the battlefield.
- Can hinder opponent’s resources, yet its kicker cost might affect your hand advantage and mana economy.
- Excellent choice against decks relying on artifacts, enchantments, or planeswalkers for its removal ability.
Text of card
Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) When Mold Shambler enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, destroy target noncreature permanent.
When civilization encroaches on nature, Zendikar encroaches back.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mold Shambler provides utility beyond a simple creature card by allowing you to remove a key noncreature permanent when it kicks into the battlefield, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Deploying Mold Shambler can set back your opponent’s resource base, particularly if you target a land or mana-producing artifact, hindering their ability to cast costly spells and thus potentially accelerating your own board position.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Mold Shambler can be played at the end of your opponent’s turn if you’ve set aside mana for it with flash enablers. This prepares the way for a strategic play, surprising your adversary and creating moments that could tilt the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While it doesn’t directly ask for a card to be discarded, Mold Shambler’s kicker cost requires additional resources that could otherwise be utilized for maintaining hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Mold Shambler demands both green and generic mana, meaning it’s conventionally slated for green-centric decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at four mana with an additional kicker cost, Mold Shambler’s total expense can be taxing when there are alternative creatures or spells that can destroy targets for less mana, thereby fostering a more efficient mana economy in your deck strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mold Shambler offers a flexible solution for players aiming to deal with problematic noncreature permanents. It’s a functional addition to decks that thrive on enter-the-battlefield triggers or require utility creatures.
Combo Potential: Its kicker ability can be combined with cards that untap lands, potentially allowing for destructive plays in a single turn. Plus, it is a shoo-in for decks that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or leaving play.
Meta-Relevance: Given that many current decks rely on powerful planeswalkers, enchantments, or artifacts, Mold Shambler’s ability to remove these upon entry makes it a tactically sound pick in a variety of metagame scenarios.
How to beat
Mold Shambler presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its kicker ability that lets players destroy target noncreature permanent if enough mana is invested. To effectively counter this, control decks can prepare counterspells or instant-speed removals to handle the Shambler before its effect triggers. Since it’s primarily impactful when kicked, keeping the opponent’s mana base under control with land destruction or making lands enter the battlefield tapped can limit their ability to pay for the kicker cost.
For more aggressive strategies, speed is key against Mold Shambler. Overrunning the battlefield with creatures before the opponent accumulates enough mana to use Mold Shambler’s kicker can ensure victory. Additionally, utilizing hexproof or indestructible permanents can nullify the threat of Mold Shambler’s targeted removal, forcing the opponent to play it as a mere creature without the added benefit of its kicker effect.
While the card can set back tempo or disrupt key pieces in a player’s strategy, a well-timed response or preemptive action serves as a decisive tactic to prevent Mold Shambler from upending the game.
Cards like Mold Shambler
Mold Shambler presents an interesting creature option in Magic: The Gathering, aligning with cards like Reclamation Sage that also serve to neutralize opponents’ noncreature permanents. Mold Shambler’s kicker ability allows it to destroy a target artifact, enchantment, or land when it enters the battlefield, if the kicker cost was paid. This is akin to the Reclamation Sage’s enter the battlefield effect, albeit without the additional cost.
Another card in this realm is Acidic Slime, which comes with the same ability to destroy an artifact, enchantment, or land on arrival. While Acidic Slime is a bit more adaptable with its deathtouch feature, it also carries a steeper mana cost compared to the Shambler. Woodfall Primus extends this permanent destruction theme, with the added advantage of persist, ensuring you get a second round of destruction if it’s destroyed.
Evaluating their utilities, Mold Shambler holds its ground, especially when you have the spare mana to utilize its kicker ability. In the broader context of Magic: The Gathering, it offers a tactical choice for players who need targeted disruption without committing to higher-cost creatures.
Cards similar to Mold Shambler by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mold Shambler MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Commander 2013, 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 Mold Shambler 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 Mold Shambler Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2014-03-14. Illustrated by Karl Kopinski.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 169 | 2003 | normal | black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 156 | 2003 | normal | black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 3 | 2014-03-14 | Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska | DDM | 60 | 2003 | normal | black | Karl Kopinski |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mold Shambler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
