Tooth and Nail – Mirrodin
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2022
Ratings:
Constructed: 3.00
Casual: 5.00
Limited: 3.00
Multiplayer: 4.50
Commander [EDH]: 4.63
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is bad. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Reviews Below:
Tooth and Nail had an interesting outing in competitive Magic, mainly Standard, when it was first released. It could be cast surprisingly fast with the Mirrodin-era card pool, from cards as innocuous as Elvish Pioneer up to explosive powerhouses like Cloudpost or the Urza lands. And while we don’t usually associate that era with the kind of creature toolboxes or explosive abilities we sometimes see in modern sets, there were some devastating combinations nonetheless. Mephidross Vampire and Triskelion were in the same block as it, for one thing.
Of course, since we now do see some perhaps eyebrow-raising creature toolboxes and explosive abilities, Tooth and Nail has aged very, very well indeed, especially since it doesn’t restrict you on the creatures’ color or cost. While it’s no longer a staple in competitive Magic, as it doesn’t line up as well against Thoughtseize and Thalia as it did against Mirrodin‘s blue control decks, I wouldn’t entirely bet against using it to rogue out in a meta that wasn’t expecting it. You’re more likely to see it at casual tables where you’ll do well by cranking the power up to nine (mana) and searching for the biggest, coolest creatures you can think of.
Constructed: 3
Casual: 5
Limited: 3
Multiplayer: 4.5
Commander [EDH]: 4.5
Tooth and Nail is as close to a nine mana “I win” spell as you can get in this day and age; while you could only cast it for seven mana if you already have the cards in your hand, you’re more likely looking to use this as a means to the combo end, usually by getting exemplars like Mikaeus, the Unhallowed and Walking Ballista together at the same time. It’s certainly functional enough as a fair card; you can get any creature that your heart desires if it’s in your deck, and using it to cheat in two Absolute Units is also reasonable. But getting two creatures at the same time is a recipe for massive shenanigans, and while it’s generally a step too slow to really leave its mark in deeper formats, it can work as a fallback option, and it’s still one of the scariest cards to be opposite from.
Constructed: 3
Casual: 5
Limited: 3 (not blessed with great targets in its two Limited outings, but still not without merit)
Multiplayer: 4.5
Commander [EDH]: 4.75 (if you’re resolving this, odds are that you’re looking to win then and there)
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