Greven, Predator Captain MTG Card


Greven excels in providing card advantage, synergizing with instant-speed interactions and sacrifices. While strong, Greven’s requirement for sacrifice and specific mana can be limiting factors. His aggressive nature and combo potential make him a must-have for dynamic MTG strategies.
Greven, Predator Captain - Commander 2019
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Phyrexian Human Warrior
Abilities Menace
Released2019-08-23
Set symbol
Set nameCommander 2019
Set codeC19
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number43
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byZack Stella

Text of card

Menace Greven, Predator Captain gets +X/+0, where X is the amount of life you've lost this turn. Whenever Greven attacks, you may sacrifice another creature. If you do, you draw cards equal to that creature's power and you lose life equal to that creature's toughness.


Cards like Greven, Predator Captain

Greven, Predator Captain is a unique force to be reckoned with in Magic: The Gathering, especially when it comes to powerful commander options for black and red decks. Much like Greven, Kels, Fight Fixer operates on the axis of sacrificing creatures, however, Kels offers card draw without life loss and the added benefit of indestructibility. Another intriguing comparison is with Yahenni, Undying Partisan, who similarly thrives on the death of other creatures, gaining indestructible and power boosts through sacrifice — yet lacks Greven’s life-linked card draw ability.

Further along this vein, we find Viscera Seer, who, while much less costly, offers a form of card quality control through its scrying ability upon sacrificing a creature, but doesn’t pack the same punch in combat as Greven. Tymaret, the Murder King offers a repeated creature sacrifice outlet and can return from the graveyard, yet it doesn’t provide the same level of aggression or card advantage as Greven.

In considering the entirety of the card pool, Greven, Predator Captain stands out for his aggressive potential and substantial card draw mechanic, rewarding players for engaging in the risky but rewarding strategy of life-payment for power—making him a distinctive and formidable card among MTG sacrificial commanders.

Kels, Fight Fixer - MTG Card versions
Yahenni, Undying Partisan - MTG Card versions
Viscera Seer - MTG Card versions
Tymaret, the Murder King - MTG Card versions
Kels, Fight Fixer - MTG Card versions
Yahenni, Undying Partisan - MTG Card versions
Viscera Seer - MTG Card versions
Tymaret, the Murder King - MTG Card versions

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Mishra, Tamer of Mak Fawa - MTG Card versions
Dread Slag - MTG Card versions
Demigod of Revenge - MTG Card versions
Cultbrand Cinder - MTG Card versions
Kulrath Knight - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reaver - MTG Card versions
Monstrous Carabid - MTG Card versions
Spawn of Rix Maadi - MTG Card versions
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Master of Cruelties - MTG Card versions
Underworld Cerberus - MTG Card versions
Kragma Warcaller - MTG Card versions
Nightfire Giant - MTG Card versions
Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Greven Predator Captain excels in providing card advantage due to its ability to draw cards equal to the sacrificed creature’s power. This synergizes well with high-power creatures, ensuring a healthy flow of options in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Greven can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by applying pressure that forces the opponent to deal with him, using their resources inefficiently. Though it doesn’t directly provide mana or tokens, by eliminating potential blockers or threats, Greven helps maintain a lead on the board.

Instant Speed: Greven himself may not be an instant, but he greatly benefits from instant-speed interaction. By using instants that sacrifice a creature as part of their cost or effects, you can respond to your opponent’s plays while empowering Greven and drawing cards at an unexpected moment, gaining an advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Greven, Predator Captain’s ability necessitates you to sacrifice another creature, which can put you at a card disadvantage and deplete your board presence, especially detrimental if you’re running low on creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: This formidable commander requires a precise combination of black and red mana to deploy. This can sometimes be restrictive for players not running a dedicated Rakdos deck or lacking the necessary mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three colorless, one black, and one red mana, Greven demands a substantial investment before making an impact on the game. In competitive play, this cost can be a drawback, as it leaves less mana available for other spells or abilities in the early to mid-game stages. Other commanders or creatures at this cost may offer more immediate board influence or versatile abilities.


Reasons to Include Greven, Predator Captain in Your Collection

Versatility: Greven, Predator Captain is a formidable card that can easily adapt to various Commander strategies. His high power and life loss mechanics allow for aggressive playstyles and also synergize well with themes such as life manipulation and sacrifice.

Combo Potential: Greven’s ability to sacrifice another creature to gain card advantage and increase his power creates numerous opportunities for combos. Pairing him with cards that benefit from creatures dying or have recursion abilities can set up powerful and game-ending interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where commander damage can be a viable path to victory, Greven’s capacity to rapidly increase his power makes him particularly potent. Additionally, his relevance in the meta is bolstered by his role in edging out formidable threats through his forced sacrifice mechanics and consistent pressure he can apply in every game.


How to Beat Greven, Predator Captain

Greven, Predator Captain is a formidable force on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, known for turning life points into raw power. To counter this aggressive strategy, consider employing creature removal spells as soon as Greven hits the board. Spells like Murder or Path to Exile can remove him before the opponent has a chance to utilize his life payment ability for significant card advantage and combat damage.

Ensnaring control elements are also effective against Greven. Using enchantments like Pacifism or Arrest can neutralize him without triggering sacrifice effects that might benefit your opponent. In addition, since Greven incentivizes opponents to keep their creature count low for maximum benefit, board wipes such as Wrath of God can be devastating. Strategies involving life gain withstand Greven’s onslaught; therefore, incorporating cards like Soul Warden or lifelink creatures balance out the life loss and maintain your defense.

Ultimately, dealing with Greven, Predator Captain requires a quick and decisive answer, minimizing his impact on the game and maintaining your life total above dangerous thresholds. Prompt removal, clever control, and a robust life gain approach can tip the scales in your favor against this aggressive adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastery of MTG often hinges on understanding each card’s dual nature of threat and opportunity, much like Greven, Predator Captain, with his potent card draw mechanics and dependency on sacrifice. As you refine your gameplay, consider how cards like Greven can provide unexpected tactical advantages. Embrace the nuances of such dynamic commanders by deepening your knowledge of synergies, meta considerations, and counter strategies to flourish in the ever-evolving battlefield. Dive into the depths of strategy content with us and discover how to harness the raw energy of cards like Greven to claim victory. Your quest for MTG dominance is just beginning.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Greven, Predator Captain MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2019, 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 Greven, Predator Captain and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Greven, Predator Captain has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-08-23 A player loses life if they’re dealt damage or if they pay life.
2019-08-23 Greven checks for how much life you lost, not how much your life total has changed. If you lost 4 life but also gained 6 life, you still lost 4 life and Greven gets +4/+0.
2019-08-23 The sacrificed creature’s power and toughness are determined by its last known information before it left the battlefield.
2019-08-23 You sacrifice a creature (or choose not to), draw cards, and lose life all while Greven’s triggered ability is resolving. Nothing can happen in between, and no player may choose to take actions.