Whitemane Lion MTG Card


Its flexibility and combo potential make it a valuable addition to decks, enhancing sustained tactics and synergy. Spot removal and well-timed counters are effective strategies against Whitemane Lion’s recurring abilities. Similar cards are considered based on deck strategy, meta relevance, and the desired balance of effects.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Cat
Abilities Flash
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flash When Whitemane Lion enters the battlefield, return a creature you control to its owner's hand.


Cards like Whitemane Lion

Whitemane Lion represents an interesting specimen in the realm of creature utility within Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship to cards like Stonecloaker is apparent, with both offering flash and a return creature to hand mechanic that allows for dodging removal or re-utilizing enter-the-battlefield triggers. Stonecloaker stands out a bit more with its capacity to exile cards from graveyards, making it a versatile option in metas where graveyard strategies are prevalent.

Examining Kor Skyfisher, another analog, we see a similar bounce effect sans the flash ability, but offering consistent flying defense. Kor Skyfisher demands a more strategic board setup due to its lack of flash but compensates with aerial control. Then, considering Fleetfoot Panther, we notice a near mirror to Whitemane Lion, but with an additional color requirement adding a layer of complexity to deck building. The choice between these creatures often hinges on the mana base and desired tactics of a deck.

Ultimately, Whitemane Lion finds its niche in MTG strategies favoring tempo and surprise interactions. Its simple casting requirements and flash ability make it a staple for certain decks looking to capitalize on quick and protective maneuvers.

Stonecloaker - MTG Card versions
Kor Skyfisher - MTG Card versions
Fleetfoot Panther - MTG Card versions
Stonecloaker - MTG Card versions
Kor Skyfisher - MTG Card versions
Fleetfoot Panther - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Whitemane Lion by color, type and mana cost

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Whitemane Lion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange PauperOgonyok

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Whitemane Lion itself may not directly let you draw cards, its ability can be pivotal in generating card advantage. Repeatedly casting the Lion allows you to reuse powerful enter-the-battlefield effects from other creatures you control, essentially gaining the value of those effects an additional time without expending extra cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that utilize creatures with tap abilities for mana production, Whitemane Lion shines by potentially untapping those creatures when it is played. This can result in an acceleration of resources as you effectively gain an extra usage of those creatures within a single turn, often leading to powerful plays ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The Whitemane Lion’s flash ability makes it incredibly flexible, allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves by either saving a threatened creature or setting up a surprise blocker. This instant speed interaction can significantly disrupt your opponent’s strategy, all while you’re developing your own board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Whitemane Lion allows for a tactical bounce of another creature you control, it does not escape the need for a card to be discarded from your hand. This ask can be particularly costly when you’re playing with a dwindling hand size, potentially losing key pieces of your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Whitemane Lion’s casting cost requires white mana, which can be a restraint for multicolor decks that may struggle with color consistency. Ensuring the availability of white mana sources at the time of need can be a hurdle, thus limiting the card’s universality across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/2 creature, Whitemane Lion faces competition from a plethora of other two-drops that might provide greater value or more impactful effects. The requirement of two specific white mana makes it a less flexible choice, especially when considering its flash ability in a fast-paced game where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Whitemane Lion offers a high degree of flexibility across various deck builds. It’s not just a creature; it’s a card that enables you to save other valuable creatures from removal or reset their enter-the-battlefield effects at will.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, particularly with abilities that trigger when creatures enter the battlefield. The ability to bounce it back to your hand enables a variety of powerful interactions and combos, truly exploiting its potential.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the battlefield can change in a flash, Whitemane Lion remains relevant due to its quick response capability. Its affordable cost and instant speed interaction make it a handy tool against an array of deck strategies currently popular in the meta.


How to beat

Whitemane Lion is a versatile creature that can be a thorn in the side of many MTG players. This cat creature shines in its ability to return to its owner’s hand, offering a way to save other creatures or repeatedly trigger enter-the-battlefield effects. However, players can adopt effective strategies to outmaneuver its capabilities and neutralize its advantages.

One approach is utilizing spot removal spells that exile instead of destroying creatures, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, to avoid giving opponents the chance to reuse the Lion’s ability. Timing is crucial; it’s best to target the Lion after it has been declared as an attacker or blocker but before its ability is activated. Alternatively, counter magic can be an excellent way to ensure that Whitemane Lion never hits the battlefield, and thus, never triggers its pesky ability.

In essence, to beat Whitemane Lion, players must focus on either preventing it from resolving or dealing with it in a manner that circumvents its return-to-hand ability. Through judicious use of instant-speed interaction, players can reduce the impact of Whitemane Lion and maintain control over the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The versatility of Whitemane Lion in MTG is undeniable, offering both a defensive tactic and the chance to unlock combo potential within your deck. By understanding its pros and cons, and comparing it to similar cards, we see that it’s all about strategic implementation. If you’re looking to sharpen those MTG skills and further explore ways to incorporate cards like Whitemane Lion into your arsenal, our platform is your gateway to a richer MTG experience. Dive deeper into the synergy and build strategies that can set you apart from the competition. With us, refining your deck and gameplay is just a click away.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Whitemane Lion MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Planar Chaos, 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 Whitemane Lion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Whitemane Lion Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 12 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL L322003NormalWhiteZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
22007-02-02Planar ChaosPLC 222003NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
32012-03-30Duel Decks: Venser vs. KothDDI 22003NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
42014-11-07Commander 2014C14 962015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
52016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 372015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
62018-03-16Masters 25A25 392015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
72020-09-26The ListPLST PLC-222003NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
82020-09-26The ListPLST C14-962015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
92021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 502015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
102023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 352015NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai
112023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 2771997NormalBlackZoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Whitemane Lion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-12-08 Whitemane Lion’s ability doesn’t target any creature, therefore no player may take actions between the time you choose the creature to return and the time you return it.
2022-12-08 You may return Whitemane Lion itself to its owner’s hand as its triggered ability resolves. If you don’t control any other creature, you must return it.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.