Guild Thief MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 61
2022-07-07 - Number 121
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Orc Rogue |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Guild Thief provides card advantage and strategic options as the game unfolds, enhancing deck performance.
- It demands specific mana and a discard, which could be limiting in some deck builds and situations.
- Despite its costs, its versatility and combo potential make it a strong inclusion in certain MTG decks.
Text of card
Whenever Guild Thief deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it. Cunning Action — : Guild Thief can't be blocked this turn.
She puts some coin in the Guild's pocket and sends a message at the same time.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Guild Thief shines as it offers the ability to repeatedly draw cards, bolstering your hand and providing you with more options as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: By connecting with the opponent, Guild Thief can potentially increase your mana resources, giving you a significant lead and the ability to deploy threats earlier.
Instant Speed: With the flexibility of instant-speed spells or abilities, you can adapt to the unfolding game, ensuring that Guild Thief’s effect can be exploited at the most opportune moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Guild Thief’s ability to become unblockable is contingent on discarding a card. This can be a significant setback when your hand is already depleted, forcing you to lose valuable cards to keep the Thief concealed.
Specific Mana Cost: Guild Thief requires both blue and black mana to cast. This specific color combination necessitates a more controlled mana base, which might not fit seamlessly into all deck types, particularly those that are not already playing with these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though not exorbitant, the three mana (one blue, one black, and one generic) needed to get Guild Thief onto the battlefield is substantial when evaluated against other creatures with similar or greater power levels. This cost consideration is crucial when optimizing your deck’s curve and efficiency.
Reasons to Include Guild Thief in Your Collection
Versatility: Guild Thief offers broad utility across different deck themes, easily adapting to strategies that prioritize evasive creatures. Its ability to become unblockable ensures it remains a consistent threat regardless of the opponent’s board state.
Combo Potential: With every successful hit, Guild Thief amasses +1/+1 counters, allowing it to grow into a formidable force. This synergizes well with effects that capitalize on counters or benefit from creatures dealing combat damage to a player.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where control decks may dominate, having a creature that can consistently sneak past defenses to deliver strategic hits can shift the tide of the game, making Guild Thief a relevant choice for many players.
How to Beat Guild Thief
Guild Thief might pose a challenge with its growing potential to become an unblockable threat in your MTG clash. When facing this elusive creature, it’s crucial to keep it from connecting with your life points. To disrupt the enemy’s strategies, consider using removal spells before it receives hexproof. Spells like Shock or Fatal Push work wonders here as they are swift and efficient.
Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the playing field regardless of Guild Thief’s enhancements. Should Guild Thief achieve hexproof, edict effects that force an opponent to sacrifice a creature become your best option. Liliana’s Triumph and Diabolic Edict are prominent choices in such scenarios. Having these removal options at your disposal, the Guild Thief’s sneaky tactics can be thwarted, allowing you to maintain control over the game board.
Understanding when to play your removal or when to hold it for the perfect moment is essential in outmaneuvering Guild Thief. With strategic planning and the right spells in your arsenal, you can ensure that this card doesn’t steal your chance at victory.
Cards like Guild Thief
Guild Thief as an intriguing choice for players looking to leverage elusive attackers in MTG. The card echoes the abilities found in some classic unblockable creatures like Invisible Stalker, but Guild Thief brings an additional kick—each time it deals combat damage to a player, it gains a +1/+1 counter. Invisible Stalker, while having built-in hexproof and unblockability, does not grow stronger over time without external aid.
Shadowmage Infiltrator is another comparable card that offers a different but valuable effect. While not inherently unblockable, its fear ability allows it to be blocked only by artifact creatures and/or those that share a color, making it a formidable aggressor in many matchups. Moreover, it draws you a card upon dealing combat damage to a player, providing consistent card advantage versus Guild Thief’s growing threat potential.
In the world of creature-focused synergies of MTG, particularly in rogue or thief-themed decks, Guild Thief stands out for its capacity to become an increasingly dangerous force if not swiftly addressed. It’s a strategic choice for those looking to apply pressure and capitalize on unblocked attacks, juxtaposed against its kin with static abilities or card-drawing incentives.
Cards similar to Guild Thief by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Guild Thief MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Guild Thief and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Guild Thief Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Mike Jordana.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Jordana | |
| 2 | 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | HBG | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Jordana |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Guild Thief has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
