Maarika, Brutal Gladiator MTG Card


Maarika offers card advantage by disrupting enemy lines and utilizing your creatures optimally. Instant speed activation makes Maarika versatile, ideal for dynamic combat strategies. Her specific mana needs may limit deck design, weighing against her inclusion.
Maarika, Brutal Gladiator - Secret Lair Drop
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Warrior
Released2019-12-02
Set symbol
Set nameSecret Lair Drop
Set codeSLD
Power 7
Toughness 4
Number435
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMaria Zolotukhina

Text of card

Maarika, Brutal Gladiator must be blocked if able. As long as it's your turn, Maarika has indestructible. Whenever Maarika deals damage to a creature, if that creature was dealt excess damage this turn, that creature's controller sacrifices a noncreature, nonland permanent.


Cards like Maarika, Brutal Gladiator

Maarika Brutal Gladiator stands out in the roster of red creature cards in MTG. Its kinship is close to cards like Anax, Hardened in the Forge, which also thrives on aggressive strategies. Maarika’s formidable ability to tap and untap a target creature offers a unique edge in combat similar to Anax’s potential to create token creatures upon the death of a non-token creature. Yet, Maarika allows more direct and repeated control over the battlefield each turn.

Comparably, Zo-Zu the Punisher delivers direct damage to opponents as lands enter the battlefield under their control, a different approach to controlling the game. While Zo-Zu passively punishes opponents, Maarika engages actively in combat manipulation. Another creature card in the conversation is Grand Warlord Radha, which excels at generating extra mana during combat. Though Radha and Maarika share the red and green color identity, Radha leans more towards ramping up mana, whereas Maarika focuses on decisive combat interaction.

Ultimately, Maarika Brutal Gladiator offers a robust combination of combat control and flexibility, making it a compelling choice for players who enjoy commanding the pace and outcome of battles in MTG.

Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Zo-Zu the Punisher - MTG Card versions
Grand Warlord Radha - MTG Card versions
Anax, Hardened in the Forge - MTG Card versions
Zo-Zu the Punisher - MTG Card versions
Grand Warlord Radha - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Maarika, Brutal Gladiator by color, type and mana cost

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Carrion Thrash - MTG Card versions
Kresh the Bloodbraided - MTG Card versions
Giant Ambush Beetle - MTG Card versions
Wasitora, Nekoru Queen - MTG Card versions
Korvold, Fae-Cursed King - MTG Card versions
Vazi, Keen Negotiator - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Maarika Brutal Gladiator’s ability to untap and gain control of target creature until end of turn means you extract extra value from creatures on the board. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while bolstering your own position.

Resource Acceleration: Her {R} activation cost synergizes with decks focused on resource acceleration, allowing for efficient use of mana and enabling multi-spell turns, thus speeding up your gameplay and potential for overwhelming opponents.

Instant Speed: Maarika’s ability can be activated at instant speed, which not only gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn but also allows for surprise blocking and attacking strategies, keeping your opponent on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Maarika Brutal Gladiator demands you discard a card to activate its key ability. This can put you at a significant disadvantage, especially in late-game scenarios where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Maarika’s casting cost is quite color-intensive, necessitating both red and black mana. This requirement can sometimes complicate your mana base and restrict deck-building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost requiring three specific mana, Maarika competes with other powerful four-drops in the game. Balancing the mana curve in your deck might challenge her inclusion, given the alternatives available.


Reasons to Include Maarika, Brutal Gladiator in Your Collection

Versatility: Maarika, Brutal Gladiator offers players array of tactical choices, making it a powerful addition to multiple deck archetypes. Its potential to exert pressure on opponents or control the flow of combat makes it a versatile asset in both aggressive and interactive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to untap potential allies gives rise to numerous combo possibilities. Players can exploit synergies with other cards that benefit from being untapped or that have tap abilities, opening up a new avenue for creative and lethal combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a competitive environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Maarika, Brutal Gladiator can significantly impact the board and the dynamics of a match. Its presence can help tip the scales in your favor against current popular decks, assuring that your collection remains competitive.


How to beat Maarika Brutal Gladiator

Maarika Brutal Gladiator stands out in the MTG arena as a formidable challenge for players due to her ability to take control of opponents’ creatures and deal with them swiftly. To overcome this aggressive combatant, players must plan carefully and employ a strategic approach. A key tactic is to limit the number of creatures on your side of the battlefield, thus restricting Maarika’s ability to hijack your forces. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells are critical in disrupting the combat phase, allowing you to remove Maarika before she can declare attackers or after she’s been declared as an attacker, but before she becomes tapped.

It’s also beneficial to have counterspells at hand to prevent her from hitting the field in the first place. Enchantment-based removals like Pacifism diminish her impact by preventing her from attacking or blocking. Lastly, players can turn to cards with the hexproof ability to safeguard their creatures from being targeted by Maarika’s effect, ensuring they maintain control of their assets throughout the match.

By employing these strategies, players can craft a defense that is as brutal as Maarika herself, ensuring she becomes less of a threat and more of a manageable challenge on the path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Maarika Brutal Gladiator’s complexity and the surrounding tactics enhances gameplay significantly. Gauging both strengths and weaknesses is key in optimizing your deck to harness her potential. Deck builders should focus on synergy, smart resource management, and strategic advantage to utilize Maarika effectively. If you’re fascinated by the prospects of disrupting opponent strategies while accelerating your board presence, this card might be your next great inclusion. For more insights on integrating Maarika Brutal Gladiator into your arsenal, our discussions on current MTG meta, deck-building tips, and advanced play strategies await your presence. Join other enthusiasts and enhance your game with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Maarika, Brutal Gladiator MTG card by a specific set like Secret Lair Drop, 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 Maarika, Brutal Gladiator and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Maarika, Brutal Gladiator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal