Ankle Shanker MTG Card


Provides a combat advantage by granting first strike and deathtouch to your attackers. Ankle Shanker requires careful mana and hand management for optimal play. Highly effective in creature-based strategies, boosting your offensive tactics.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Berserker
Abilities Haste
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Haste Whenever Ankle Shanker attacks, creatures you control gain first strike and deathtouch until end of turn.

The stature of the fighter matters less than the depth of the cut.


Cards like Ankle Shanker

Ankle Shanker stands out in the realm of unique creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card shares similarities with creatures like Tajic, Blade of the Legion, which also carries the potential to significantly impact the battlefield. Ankle Shanker brings its own twist though – it gives all attacking creatures first strike and deathtouch until end of turn. Tajic, meanwhile, has the notable ability to make himself indestructible while attacking.

Mirror matches can be found with cards like Odric, Lunarch Marshal, which shares the theme of conferring combat advantages to your creatures. However, Odric distributes any keyword abilities present among your creatures during each combat, not just first strike and deathtouch. This makes Odric versatile but dependent on the presence of other creatures with abilities.

Considering the landscape of MTG’s creatues with battle-themed abilities, Ankle Shanker presents a unique package. Its combination of being a hasty attacker that simultaneously upgrades your entire strike force makes it exceptionally potent during combat phases. While there are similar cards in the genre, Ankle Shanker’s specific abilities provide a distinct advantage, often turning the tide of skirmishes in its controller’s favor.

Tajic, Blade of the Legion - MTG Card versions
Odric, Lunarch Marshal - MTG Card versions
Tajic, Blade of the Legion - MTG Card versions
Odric, Lunarch Marshal - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ankle Shanker by color, type and mana cost

Zurgo Helmsmasher - MTG Card versions
Mardu Roughrider - MTG Card versions
Malik, Grim Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Negan, the Cold-Blooded - MTG Card versions
Zurgo Helmsmasher - MTG Card versions
Mardu Roughrider - MTG Card versions
Malik, Grim Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Negan, the Cold-Blooded - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ankle Shanker’s ability to potentially decimate opposing creatures in combat swings the board state in your favor. This can lead to out-valuing your opponent in terms of creatures on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or tokens, Ankle Shanker has the potential to save resources. Its presence can deter attacks or block advantageous trades, preserving your life and other valuable permanents.

Instant Speed: While Ankle Shanker itself is not an instant, the threat of its effect when attacking or blocking gives you leverage during the combat phase. This implicit power at a crucial point in the turn sequence can be as decisive as an actual instant speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Ankle Shanker does not have a discard requirement per se, playing it might force strategic hand management, especially if you need to keep removal or other essential spells at the ready.

Specific Mana Cost: Ankle Shanker comes with a restrictive casting cost of one red, one black, and one white mana, making it a less flexible option for multi-colored decks not focused on these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Ankle Shanker can be considered quite mana-intensive compared to other cards with similar aggressive enhancements, potentially slowing down the pace of your deck’s offensive strategy.


Reasons to Include Ankle Shanker in Your Collection

Versatility: Ankle Shanker is a unique card offering an aggressive edge to various deck builds, especially in Mardu colors that revolve around creature combat. Its ability to grant both first strike and deathtouch during your attack phase can turn even your smallest creatures into significant threats.

Combo Potential: This card is a strong combo enabler in commander and casual play. When combined with cards that generate token creatures, Ankle Shanker can dramatically alter the battlefield, allowing for favorable trades or even unblocked attacks. Its synergy with attack-phase enhancers or additional combat phases can be game-changing.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Ankle Shanker’s ability to influence combat outcomes can be pivotal. Its effect can neutralize larger threats and enable favorable attacks, making it a card worth considering for formats where board presence is crucial.


How to beat Ankle Shanker

Ankle Shanker is a formidable creature card that can swing games in your favor if left unchecked. This card grants your attacking creatures both first strike and deathtouch, a combination that makes combat encounters highly unfavorable for your opponents. The key to diminishing Ankle Shanker’s impact is to control the board before it can declare an attack.

Control strategies utilizing removal spells can effectively manage the threat posed by Ankle Shanker. Cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider allow you to deal with it the moment it hits the battlefield, nullifying its combat advantages. Alternatively, counterspells like Counterspell or Negate prevent Ankle Shanker from ever entering the battlefield. Board wipes are also excellent for removing Ankle Shanker along with other problematic creatures. Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board, leaving Ankle Shanker’s abilities irrelevant.

Avoiding combat while setting up these strategies is crucial. Cards that generate tokens, provide life gain, or control the flow of combat can buy you the time needed to find your answers. The goal is to never let Ankle Shanker lead a successful assault, a feat easier said than done but entirely within reach with the right preparations.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding a card like Ankle Shanker is crucial for deck optimization and combat strategy. This creature card has the potential to shift the game in your favor, turning your attacking army into a deadly force. The synergy it offers with tokens and the advantage it provides in creature-heavy metas makes it a powerful addition to your collection. But every powerful card must be played wisely. To further enhance your combat tactics and explore innovative deck-building paths, we invite you to delve deeper into understanding Ankle Shanker and its place in your MTG arsenal. Discover combos, strategies, and tips for overcoming its challenges. Elevate your gameplay with the insights and guidance we offer. Learn more with us and ensure that your strategic moves on the battlefield are, indeed, game-changing.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ankle Shanker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Khans of Tarkir, 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 Ankle Shanker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ankle Shanker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2016-11-11. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 545122015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
22014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 1642015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
32014-09-26Khans of Tarkir PromosPKTK 1642015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
42014-09-26Khans of Tarkir PromosPKTK 164s2015NormalBlackZoltan Boros
52016-11-11Commander 2016C16 1782015NormalBlackZoltan Boros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ankle Shanker has restrictions

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