Manakin MTG Card


Manakin offers indirect card advantage by enabling the deployment of more spells through mana generation. As a resource accelerator, it taps for mana of any color, providing a jump in your curve. It enhances instant speed game interactions, giving players extra flexibility during matches.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

oc T: Add one colorless mana to your mana pool. Play this ability as a mana source.

Hanna regarded Squee sternly. "Because it's *not* a toy, no matter how much it may look like one," she said, taking the manakin from him.


Cards like Manakin

Manakin is a simple yet intriguing artifact creature card in the landscape of Magic the Gathering. It aligns itself with cards like Plague Myr and Silver Myr, which are both creatures that can tap for mana. Manakin, specifically, is valued for its colorless mana generation ability, akin to the universally functional Palladium Myr. Unlike Palladium Myr, which requires two mana for activation and taps for two colorless mana, Manakin is a streamlined version, both in mana cost and output, producing one colorless mana.

Millikin is another card that shares a similarity with Manakin—both cards are low-cost artifact creatures that assist in mana acceleration. Millikin, however, introduces a mill component, requiring you to put the top card of your library into your graveyard to generate mana. This can be a strategic advantage or setback, depending on your deck’s synergy with graveyard mechanics.

Evaluating Manakin within the realm of mana-producing creatures, it offers a straightforward utility that can be crucial for decks that require a consistent source of colorless mana, while also serving as a creature that can be used for blocking when necessary.

Plague Myr - MTG Card versions
Silver Myr - MTG Card versions
Palladium Myr - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Plague Myr - MTG Card versions
Silver Myr - MTG Card versions
Palladium Myr - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Manakin by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Manakin may not directly enable you to draw cards, but it functions as repeatable mana generation, which in turn helps you deploy more cards from your hand efficiently. This can eventually lead to a form of indirect card advantage as you consistently play more spells than your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Manakin serves as a powerful resource accelerator. By tapping for one mana of any color, it effectively allows you to ramp up your mana resources a turn earlier. This mana can be pivotal in casting key spells ahead of schedule, thus propelling you ahead of the competition.

Instant Speed: While Manakin itself is not an instant, it provides a crucial instant speed advantage by giving you access to additional mana in reserve. This enables you to keep mana open for instant speed interactions or end-of-turn plays, therefore maximizing your flexibility and responsiveness during a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Manakin doesn’t necessitate discarding cards, but its ability, which provides colorless mana, may not always align with your deck’s color requirements, potentially leading to suboptimal plays or awkward hands.

Specific Mana Cost: While Manakin’s casting cost is relatively low, it does require a precise amount of mana to play. This mana must be paid upfront, which can sometimes interfere with the efficiency of your mana curve, especially in the early game where every mana counts.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its utility, Manakin’s acquisition of mana may not always justify its presence on the battlefield, especially when other cards in your deck might offer greater versatility or power for the same cost. In a game where tempo can determine victory or defeat, it pays to consider whether Manakin’s benefits outweigh its cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Manakin is a flexible inclusion in a wide array of decks, especially those that seek an early game ramp to accelerate their strategy. Its role as a mana dork for any color makes it a utility card for mana fixing.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature can be a key component in combos, particularly in decks built around untapping mechanics or artifact synergies. Manakin’s ability to provide that crucial one mana can be the difference between executing a combo turn or waiting another round.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low casting cost and potential to smooth out mana issues, Manakin holds its place in metas where efficiency and speed are crucial. It’s also a useful tool against decks that aim to disrupt land bases, providing an alternative source of mana.


How to beat Manakin

Manakin is an artifact creature card that has found its niche in MTG decks requiring mana acceleration. Its ability to be an efficient mana battery makes it a subtle yet critical component for many strategies, especially in the early game stages. Identifying the right strategy to undermine Manakin’s contribution is key to gaining the upper hand against decks that rely heavily on it for ramping into bigger and more impactful spells. It is prudent to consider straightforward removal spells to negate its presence on the battlefield, thus stalling your opponent’s development.

Targeted removal spells like Abrade, which can destroy an artifact, provide a simple yet effective countermeasure against Manakin. Additionally, taking advantage of cards that restrict or negate artifact abilities, like Stony Silence, can render Manakin and similar cards inert. Managing to interrupt the flow of mana can give you a significant advantage as it can limit your opponent’s ability to execute their game plan. Ensuring you have these types of interactions within your deck can give you the resilience needed against decks banking on the incremental advantage that Manakin provides.

Ultimately, when you dismantle the foundations of an opponent’s mana structure, you disrupt their momentum. Successfully removing or neutralizing Manakin is a strategy that can contribute to a well-earned victory against decks that rely on this simple yet effective mana dork.


BurnMana Recommendations

From ramping into powerful spells with Manakin to strategically sculpting your deck, MTG offers a vast realm of possibilities. Enhancing your mana base or tailoring your removal suite can decisively influence your game play. Understanding the interplay of cards like Manakin and their counterparts, as well as knowing when to deploy them, is essential. As you continually sharpen your skills and knowledge, you can optimize your strategies for success. We extend an invitation to deepen your understanding and appreciation of these dynamics with us. Ready to expand your collection and elevate your game? Visit us for insights and tips to triumph in your next MTG challenge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Manakin MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Iconic Masters, 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 Manakin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Manakin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 2961997NormalBlackScott Kirschner
22017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2182015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 7852015NormalBlackDavid Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Manakin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal