MTG mana dork evolves through synergy with Dinosaur creature type in Lost Caverns of Ixalan

Wizards of the Coast shook up the meta for multiple Magic: The Gathering formats on Oct. 24 with the Lost Caverns of Ixalan spoiler Intrepid Paleontologist, a two-drop mana dork that can also reanimate Dinosaurs. 

Mana dorks in the MTG color Green are a staple in the TCG, adding mana of any color or one specific color. What’s not often found on a mana dork is the ability to exile creature cards from any graveyard and then cast those exiled spells back onto the battlefield. But a mana dork had to evolve at some point.

Intrepid Paleontologist, a two-drop mana dork who also reanimates Dinosaurs, was shown during the Lost Caverns of Ixalan (LCI) spoilers today. 

Intrepid Paleontologist

Intrepid Paleontologist is a mana dork for Dinosaurs and big stompy decks, costing two mana to cast with baseline stats of 2/2.

• Mana cost: 1G
• Type: Creature—Human Druid
• Rarity: Rare
• Stats: 2/2
• Tap: Add one mana of any color
• Pay Two: Exile target card from a graveyard
• Ability: You may cast Dinosaur creature spells from among cards you won exiled with Intrepid Paleontologist. If you cast a spell this way, that creature enters the battlefield with a Finality counter on it. 

Intrepid Paleontologist can exile a target card from any graveyard, not just yours. If the card is a Dinosaur, you can cast it. But the human druid can still exile any permanent from any graveyard. And in a meta where the reanimation of creatures like Atraxa, Grand Unifier is popular, exiling the angel for only two mana of any color is a blessing. 

Players can test out Intrepid Paleontologist at prerelease events for Lost Caverns of Ixalan, which are slated to start on Nov. 10.