Uktabi WildcatsHow it works & interactions with other cards

Natural Scaling

The power and toughness of Uktabi Wildcats are defined by a characteristic-defining ability. This means its stats are constantly updated in all zones, including the library and graveyard, based on the number of Forests you currently control. If a Forest enters or leaves the battlefield under your control, the Wildcats' power and toughness change immediately.

The Path to Regeneration

For a single Green mana and the sacrifice of a Forest, you can create a 'regeneration shield' for Uktabi Wildcats. When this shield is active, the next time the creature would be destroyed this turn, it instead stays on the battlefield, becomes tapped, is removed from combat, and has all damage marked on it cleared. Note that sacrificing the Forest to pay for this ability will immediately reduce the Wildcats' power and toughness by one.

Timing and Strategy

To maximize Uktabi Wildcats, play it in decks with a high density of Forests or cards that fetch them. Because its regeneration requires sacrificing a resource, it is often best used as a last resort to survive board wipes or lethal combat. Always calculate your current Forest count before declaring attackers, as losing a land during combat could turn a lethal strike into a bounce.

Interaction examples

Ramping the Jungle

Solemn Simulacrum

With Uktabi Wildcats on the battlefield and four Forests in play, it is a 4/4 creature. When you play Solemn Simulacrum and use its ability to search for a basic Forest and put it onto the battlefield, the Wildcats immediately becomes a 5/5 creature. This synergy allows you to grow your threat while fixing your mana.

Sacrificial Survival

If your opponent casts a spell to destroy Uktabi Wildcats while you control five Forests, you can respond by paying one Green mana and sacrificing one of those Forests. Uktabi Wildcats becomes a 4/4 and gains a regeneration shield. When the destruction spell resolves, the Wildcats survives, but its stats remain 4/4 because you now control one fewer Forest.

Triggered Synergy

Roaming ThroneSolemn Simulacrum

While Roaming Throne does not interact with Uktabi Wildcats' static power ability or activated regeneration, it can double the triggers of Solemn Simulacrum if 'Golem' is chosen. By fetching two Forests instead of one, Roaming Throne effectively gives Uktabi Wildcats a +2/+2 boost through the additional lands placed onto the battlefield.