Man-o'-War MTG Card


Man-o’-War disrupts opponents by bouncing creatures, providing card advantage and tempo control. Its specific blue mana cost and 3-CMC may restrict its inclusion in diverse decks. Countering Man-o’-War involves strategic use of enter-the-battlefield creatures and removal spells.
Card setsReleased in 22 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Jellyfish
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Man-o'-War comes into play, return target creature to owner's hand.

"Beauty to the eye does not always translate to the touch." —Naimah, Femeref philosopher


Cards like Man-o'-War

Delving into the world of creature control within Magic: The Gathering, Man-o’-War stands out as a notable player in the bounce mechanic category. This card reminds seasoned players of classics like Unsummon, with the key difference that Man-o’-War brings a creature to the battlefield as it returns another to its owner’s hand, offering both a presence on the board and a disruption to your opponent’s strategy.

Reflector Mage is a compelling counterpart to consider. While it also returns a creature to its opponent’s hand, it comes with the added stipulation that the creature cannot be recast the following turn. This subtle tweak in rules provides a delaying tactic that can be more disruptive than the simple yet effective tempo play offered by Man-o’-War. Then there’s Aether Adept, another creature with a similar comeback effect. Though it doesn’t have the additional play restriction of Reflector Mage, it’s still a valuable card for players looking to maintain board control through creature-based interaction.

In essence, Man-o’-War’s straightforward utility in resetting an opponent’s progress, paired with its creature form, solidifies its place as a worthwhile consideration for decks built around control and tempo strategies in the game.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Reflector Mage - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Reflector Mage - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Man-o'-War. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Izzet ControlIzzet Control LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12
Tradewind SurvivalTradewind Survival PremodernMisty Premodern Winter Finals
AlurenAluren PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Man-o’-War, the ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand upon entering the battlefield can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while maintaining your board presence, effectively giving you an edge in card economy.

Resource Acceleration: Although Man-o’-War itself doesn’t directly produce mana or Treasure tokens, the bounce effect can set your opponent back on resources, delaying their development and allowing you to accelerate ahead in the game.

Instant Speed: While Man-o’-War is a creature card and not an instant, its effect can be akin to playing a removal spell. It can clear the way for immediate attacks or be used defensively, similar to a strategy you might employ with instant-speed interaction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Not applicable directly for Man-o’-War, as this card does not require a discard upon casting. However, its bounce effect can indirectly cause a discard if you’re forced to return a creature to your own hand when you’re already at your maximum hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Man-o’-War has a specific mana cost that includes blue, requiring a deck with blue mana sources. This can limit deck-building flexibility and may not fit into some multicolored strategies or mana bases that are unable to consistently provide blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While three mana isn’t exceptionally high, some players may find the 2/2 body on Man-o’-War underwhelming for the cost, despite its bounce effect. In faster-paced or highly competitive environments, there might be more impactful creatures or removal options available for a similar mana investment.


Reasons to Include Man-o’-War in Your Collection

Versatility: Man-o’-War is a card with high adaptability, seamlessly fitting into various blue-based strategies, especially those that prioritize tempo and board control. Its ability to return creatures to the owner’s hand makes it a flexible choice for responding to opponent’s threats or reusing your own creatures for additional value.

Combo Potential: The bounce effect of Man-o’-War can be a key component in combo decks. It works well with cards that have enter-the-battlefield effects, allowing you to leverage those abilities multiple times. It can also disrupt opponent’s combos, placing an essential piece back into their hand to delay their plans.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts, Man-o’-War maintains relevance due to its ability to address a wide array of creatures. Whether the current landscape favors heavy creature-based strategies or relies on key individual threats, Man-o’-War offers a solution to swing the tempo in your favor, making it a timeless addition to your arsenal.


How to beat

Understanding your opponent’s arsenal is key in Magic: The Gathering, and Man-o’-War is a card that demands attention. With its ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand, it can disrupt the rhythm and board presence of any adversary. To counter this creature effectively, having an array of instant-speed removals or spells that can negate the bounce effect can be game-changing.

One strategy is deploying creatures with enter the battlefield effects; this way, Man-o’-War’s ability turns into an advantage for you rather than a setback. Cards like Reclamation Sage or Eternal Witness can provide value even when targeted by Man-o’-War’s ability. Moreover, a wise move could be to focus on low-cost creatures, which can be re-cast easily, minimizing the potential tempo loss that Man-o’-War aims to generate.

Finally, keep a close eye on your battlefield and avoid overcommitting with high-value creatures when Man-o’-War might be looming in your opponent’s hand. Utilizing a mix of these tactics should enhance your board state and ensure that Man-o’-War doesn’t capsize your strategy.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG enthusiasts, we understanding that each card can wield immense power when utilized effectively. Man-o’-War, for instance, is more than just a simple creature; it’s a strategic utensil capable of swaying the tempo of the game into your favor. Its ability to disrupt opponents by bouncing creatures back can be pivotal in gaining board advantage. Whether you’re harnessing its potential in a blue-based deck or outsmarting its effects when facing one, knowledge is power. If you’re looking to master the ebb and flow of battlefield control or find innovative ways to incorporate Man-o’-War into your deck, we invite you to dive deeper with us. Let’s navigate the tides together to turn the next duel into a showcase of skilled gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Man-o'-War MTG card by a specific set like Visions and Portal, 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 Man-o'-War and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Man-o'-War Magic the Gathering card was released in 20 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 371997NormalBlackJon J Muth
21997-05-01PortalPOR 591997NormalBlackUna Fricker
31997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 js371997NormalGoldJon J Muth
41997-08-13World Championship Decks 1997WC97 pm37b1997NormalGoldJon J Muth
51998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 bs371997NormalGoldJon J Muth
61999-07-01Starter 1999S99 411997NormalWhiteUna Fricker
71999-11-12Battle Royale Box SetBRB 401997NormalWhiteJon J Muth
82002-01-01Arena League 2002PAL02 21997NormalBlackJon J Muth
92002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 360101997NormalBlackJon J Muth
102008-11-07Duel Decks: Jace vs. ChandraDD2 82003NormalBlackJon J Muth
112010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A261997NormalBlackJon J Muth
122014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 792015NormalBlackJon J Muth
132014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. ChandraJVC 82015NormalBlackJon J Muth
142015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 382015NormalBlackJon J Muth
152016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 592015NormalBlackJon J Muth
162018-03-16Masters 25A25 642015NormalBlackJon J Muth
172019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 552015NormalBlackJon J Muth
182019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4212015NormalBlackJon J Muth
192020-09-26The ListPLST A25-642015NormalBlackJon J Muth
202020-09-26The ListPLST VIS-371997NormalBlackJon J Muth
212021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 2122015NormalBlackJon J Muth
222023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 582015NormalBlackJon J Muth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Man-o'-War has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-06-14 If there are no other creatures on the battlefield when Man-o'-War enters the battlefield, its ability must target itself.