Mukotai Ambusher MTG Card


Provides card advantage and maintains hand parity when it’s conditionally cast free of mana cost. Instant speed casting adds flexibility, enabling surprise plays as a blocker or attacker. Demands a precise mana base and has a significant cost that may limit its use in some decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Rat Ninja
Abilities Lifelink,Ninjutsu
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Ninjutsu (, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card onto the battlefield from your hand tapped and attacking.) Lifelink

The Mukotai Reckoners specialize in stealth and subterfuge.


Cards like Mukotai Ambusher

Mukotai Ambusher stands as a noteworthy creature card in Magic: The Gathering, particularly among those that can enter the battlefield unexpectedly. In a realm where surprise blockers can be a game-changer, Mukotai Ambusher holds its own against cards like Quickling and Faerie Miscreant. While Quickling boasts the same flash ability, allowing you to cast the card at times that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, it requires another creature to be returned to your hand due to its bounce mechanic. Faerie Miscreant also shares the flash feature but brings an additional benefit when multiple copies are on the battlefield, offering card draw.

Another card worth mentioning along the lines of surprise is Ambush Viper. Similar to Mukotai Ambusher, Ambush Viper can be cast in the middle of combat due to the flash mechanic. The significant difference lies in Ambush Viper’s deathtouch ability, enabling it to destroy any creature it deals damage to, regardless of size.

Assessing these alternatives, Mukotai Ambusher provides a solid option for players who value the ability to surprise their opponent and seek a creature that can double as both an attacker and a staunch defender in MTG, all without additional caveats.

Quickling - MTG Card versions
Faerie Miscreant - MTG Card versions
Ambush Viper - MTG Card versions
Quickling - MTG Card versions
Faerie Miscreant - MTG Card versions
Ambush Viper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mukotai Ambusher by color, type and mana cost

Black Mana Battery - MTG Card versions
Tergrid, God of Fright // Tergrid's Lantern - MTG Card versions
Immortal Coil - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Corruption - MTG Card versions
Dross Ripper - MTG Card versions
Lashwrithe - MTG Card versions
Pact Weapon - MTG Card versions
Szarekh, the Silent King - MTG Card versions
Cryptek - MTG Card versions
Venomcrawler - MTG Card versions
Plasmancer - MTG Card versions
Skorpekh Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Necron Overlord - MTG Card versions
Lokhust Heavy Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Imotekh the Stormlord - MTG Card versions
Starscream, Power Hungry // Starscream, Seeker Leader - MTG Card versions
Scrapwork Rager - MTG Card versions
Grond, the Gatebreaker - MTG Card versions
The Grim Captain's Locker - MTG Card versions
Barbed Servitor - MTG Card versions
Black Mana Battery - MTG Card versions
Tergrid, God of Fright // Tergrid's Lantern - MTG Card versions
Immortal Coil - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Corruption - MTG Card versions
Dross Ripper - MTG Card versions
Lashwrithe - MTG Card versions
Pact Weapon - MTG Card versions
Szarekh, the Silent King - MTG Card versions
Cryptek - MTG Card versions
Venomcrawler - MTG Card versions
Plasmancer - MTG Card versions
Skorpekh Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Necron Overlord - MTG Card versions
Lokhust Heavy Destroyer - MTG Card versions
Imotekh the Stormlord - MTG Card versions
Starscream, Power Hungry // Starscream, Seeker Leader - MTG Card versions
Scrapwork Rager - MTG Card versions
Grond, the Gatebreaker - MTG Card versions
The Grim Captain's Locker - MTG Card versions
Barbed Servitor - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WBRWBR PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-03-30
Dimir NinjaDimir Ninja PauperTappa n. 6 - Lega Pauper Ravenna - Road to Paupergeddon Winter Edition 2024
WBWB PauperPauper League 2024-01-18
Orzhov BladeOrzhov Blade Pauper7° Tappa - Season 6 - Road to Paupergeddon Winter edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana
Orzhov bladeOrzhov blade Pauper6° Tappa - Season 6 - Road to Paupergeddon Winter edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana
Dimir FaeriesDimir Faeries PauperDimir FaeriesLega Pauper Ferrara: Road To Pisageddon 2024: 2a Tappa

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mukotai Ambusher can potentially provide card advantage by replacing itself in your hand when its casting condition is met. This allows you to maintain parity while advancing the board state.

Resource Acceleration: This creature card can enable faster gameplay by meeting its casting condition without spending mana, effectively saving resources for other strategic plays and accelerating your in-game tactics.

Instant Speed: The option to cast Mukotai Ambusher at instant speed under the right circumstances provides flexibility, allowing players to respond to an opponent’s actions efficiently and potentially surprise them with an unanticipated blocker or attacker.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mukotai Ambusher presents the challenge of discarding a card as a part of its casting cost. For players who are running low on hand size, this requirement can be quite taxing and may even be a deterrent to playing the card in tight game situations.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes both green and blue, Mukotai Ambusher demands a dedicated color commitment. This necessity can potentially restrict deck building options, limiting its inclusion to only those decks that can comfortably support a Simic (green-blue) mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost of Mukotai Ambusher might not always align with the pacing of the game, particularly when you consider that three mana must be paid upfront. Alternative options might provide similar advantages without the stringent mana requirement, potentially leading players to look past Mukotai Ambusher in favor of more mana-economical choices.


Reasons to Include Mukotai Ambusher in Your Collection

Versatility: Mukotai Ambusher offers great flexibility, being a creature card that can surprise opponents when cast as an instant. This allows it to seamlessly integrate into decks that thrive on reactive strategies and flash mechanics.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to deal damage when it enters the battlefield gives it synergy with strategies focused on direct damage or “ping” effects, making it a key piece in certain combo decks.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based decks are prevalent, Mukotai Ambusher serves as an effective tool to disrupt opponent’s plans, simultaneously providing board presence and interaction.


How to beat

Mukotai Ambusher has proven itself to be a powerful addition to decks favoring quick gameplay and creature strategies in Magic: The Gathering. A key feature of this creature is its flash ability, allowing you to drop it into battle on your opponent’s turn. The card thrives in combat, designed to be a surprise blocker or an end-of-turn threat. But how do you outmaneuver this stealthy warrior?

To gain an edge against Mukotai Ambusher, prioritize removal spells that can be cast at instant speed. This will enable you to respond in kind, eliminating the Ambusher before it can deal damage or disrupt your strategy. Consider spot removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile that can take care of the Ambusher efficiently. Additionally, having board wipes at the ready can ensure that if your opponent plays Mukotai Ambusher as part of a wider creature strategy, you can reset the playing field and maintain control of the game.

Strategy is key; knowing Mukotai Ambusher’s strengths allows you to prepare and maintain the upper hand. With thoughtful deck construction and timely play, you can effectively mitigate the impact of this elusive creature and maintain dominance in your MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mukotai Ambusher exemplifies the dynamic play and strategic depth MTG offers. As its abilities create opportunities for card advantage and resource acceleration, it’s tailor-made for players who crave tactical gameplay. In decks that favor a green-blue mana base, this card shines, bringing versatility and potential for unexpected plays. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons, such as the discard requirement, to optimize your deck strategies. Plunge deeper into MTG’s strategic waters and discover how Mukotai Ambusher can redefine your gameplay. Dive in for tips, tricks, and insights to seamlessly incorporate this card into your winning arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mukotai Ambusher MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Mukotai Ambusher and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mukotai Ambusher Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 1122015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3422015NormalBlackAreku Nishiki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mukotai Ambusher has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-02-18 Although the Ninja is attacking, it was never declared as an attacking creature (for purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).
2022-02-18 As you activate a ninjutsu ability, you reveal the Ninja card in your hand and return the attacking creature. The Ninja card stays revealed and isn't put onto the battlefield until the ability resolves. If it leaves your hand before then, it won't enter the battlefield at all.
2022-02-18 If a creature in combat has first strike or double strike, you can activate the ninjutsu ability during the first-strike combat damage step. The Ninja will deal combat damage during the regular combat damage step, even if it has first strike.
2022-02-18 Puff of smoke not included.
2022-02-18 The creature with ninjutsu enters the battlefield attacking the same player or planeswalker that the returned creature was attacking. This is a rule specific to ninjutsu; in other cases, when a creature is put onto the battlefield attacking, that creature's controller chooses which player or planeswalker it's attacking.
2022-02-18 The ninjutsu ability can be activated during the declare blockers step, combat damage step, or end of combat step. In most cases (see below), if you wait until the combatdamage step or end of combat step, it will be after combat damage has been dealt, so the Ninja won't deal combat damage.
2022-02-18 The ninjutsu ability can be activated only after blockers have been declared. Before then, attacking creatures are neither blocked nor unblocked.