Malamet Veteran — Stomping Into the Caverns

Malamet Veteran is a straightforward beatstick that rewards careful timing. The card name tells you what to expect. For five mana you get a 5/4 Cat Warrior with trample that pressures life totals and forces blockers to make tough choices. In midrange or creature heavy builds this is a reliable finisher that swings profitably into chump blockers and keeps the clock moving.

The descend ability introduces a practical payoff when your graveyard fills with permanents. Malamet Veteran grows your board presence by placing a +1/+1 counter on a target creature when it attacks provided four or more permanent cards are in your graveyard. That interaction pairs cleanly with sacrifice synergies and recursive permanents in Lost Caverns of Ixalan style decks. Treat it like a forward line piece that advances both board state and value without overcomplicating sequencing.

Card Details:

• Mana Cost – {4}{G}
• Card Type – Creature
• Subtypes – Cat Warrior
• Card Text / Rules Text (Printed) – Trample. Descend 4 — Whenever Malamet Veteran attacks, if there are four or more permanent cards in your graveyard, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
• Power / Toughness – 5/4