A-Civil Servant MTG Card


Generates card advantage, enabling players to maintain a resource lead over opponents. Instant speed capability offers strategic flexibility and surprise factor in matches. Resource acceleration allows for quicker and more significant game plays, shaping match outcomes.
A-Civil Servant - Streets of New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Cat Citizen
Released2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set nameStreets of New Capenna
Set codeSNC
Power 2
Toughness 3
NumberA-176
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTony Foti

Text of card

Whenever Civil Servant attacks, you may tap another untapped Citizen you control. If you do, Civil Servant gets +1/+0 and gains trample until end of turn.


Cards like A-Civil Servant

A Civil Servant delves into the realm of creative creature utility in Magic: The Gathering. This card bears similarities to other service-oriented creatures such as Azorius Arrester that deal in detainment, or Trusted Pegasus that grants other creatures the ability to fly. However, A Civil Servant offers a unique blend of board influence by potentially bolstering your own forces.

Looking at another comparison, Veteran Armorer is a creature that provides a static defense boost to your other creatures. While it doesn’t offer the same flexibility as A Civil Servant, the consistent presence of Veteran Armorer can be vital in certain matchups. Then we have cards like Thalia’s Lieutenant, which not only enhances individual creatures but also thrives in company, growing stronger with each fellow creature that enters the battlefield.

With each of these cards carrying their own strategic advantages, A Civil Servant finds its place by embodying both the role of enabler and protector in creature-centric decks. Its potential for tactical gameplay makes it an understated yet impactful card in the complex landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

Azorius Arrester - MTG Card versions
Trusted Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Veteran Armorer - MTG Card versions
Thalia's Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Azorius Arrester - MTG Card versions
Trusted Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Veteran Armorer - MTG Card versions
Thalia's Lieutenant - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: A Civil Servant MTG card offers the benefit of accruing extra resources, either by providing additional draws or by creating tokens that can be leveraged for future plays. This aspect of the card is pivotal for outpacing opponents in terms of available options and staying a step ahead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially enabling players to generate extra mana, A Civil Servant can accelerate one’s game, permitting more significant and impactful moves ahead of the normal curve. Quick deployment of threats or the ability to respond to an opponent’s actions can often be a deciding factor in the outcome of a match.

Instant Speed: If this card can be played at instant speed, it gives players the flexibility to react during the opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, keeping mana open for responses and not committing to a play until the most opportune time. The element of surprise and the tactical advantage granted by instant-speed interactions are invaluable in strategic gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A-Civil Servant requires you to discard another card to activate certain abilities. This can be a significant disadvantage, especially in the late game when your hand may already be depleted, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a mana cost that is very particular, demanding both white and blue mana. This restricts its integration exclusively to Azorius or multicolor decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value on the higher side, A-Civil Servant may not be the most mana-efficient creature you could play. Other cards within the same mana range might offer stronger board presence or more impactful abilities, making it a less competitive choice in some scenarios.


Reasons to Include A-Civil Servant in Your Collection

Versatility: A-Civil Servant is a flexible addition to decks that thrive on synergy between creature types or those requiring specific roles to be filled. This card can be especially potent in limited formats where role-players are key.

Combo Potential: This card has the ability to interact prolifically with various mechanics in the game, making it a strong combo enabler. Whether you’re looking to capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or enhance a strategy revolving around civil service, A-Civil Servant could be a linchpin.

Meta-Relevance: With a format that currently values creatures with utility, A-Civil Servant could confidently find its place in many decks. Its inherent capabilities allow it to adapt to various game states, making it a strategic choice in a shifting meta.


How to Beat A-Civil Servant

A-Civil Servant is one of those interesting cards that can pose a real challenge in a game of MTG. To effectively combat this card, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key. One notable approach is using card removal spells that can target and eliminate A-Civil Servant before its controller can take advantage of its abilities. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade are prime examples of quick and cost-effective ways to dispose of such threats directly.

Another strategy involves limiting the card’s effectiveness. This can be done by employing counterspells such as Counterspell itself or Mana Leak when your opponent tries to cast A-Civil Servant. Hindering their mana base may also prove to be a useful tactic, as cards like Stone Rain or Blood Moon can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and slow down their ability to use A-Civil Servant to its full potential.

Bearing these tactics in mind and also staying updated on the current meta, which may present new ways to handle such cards, can ensure that A-Civil Servant doesn’t become a major hurdle in your path to victory on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase A-Civil Servant MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 A-Civil Servant and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where A-Civil Servant has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal