Afflicted Deserter // Werewolf Ransacker MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Afflicted Deserter synergizes effortlessly with your deck’s werewolf theme, transforming into Werewolf Ransacker to potentially destroy your opponent’s artifacts. This not only deprives them of crucial resources but also can translate into a card advantage as you dismantle their offensive or defensive capabilities.

Resource Acceleration: Upon transforming, Werewolf Ransacker grants you an added boon by letting you create an additional token if the destroyed artifact’s controller had four or more artifacts. This mechanic not only disrupts your opponent’s game plan but accelerates your resources, putting you ahead in the race for board dominance.

Instant Speed: While not inherently an instant, the dynamic nature of Afflicted Deserter allows you to exploit the tempo of the game. You can control the conditions under which the card transforms, keeping mana available for other tactics and enabling the transformation at an instant’s pace if no significant actions were taken in a turn. This can catch an adversary unprepared and lead to a pivotal shift in the battle’s momentum.

Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Afflicted Deserter requires a committed investment in red mana sources, potentially narrowing the deck-building options for players. To effectively include this card in your deck, you must ensure you have enough red mana, which may not always align with your deck strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Afflicted Deserter is on the higher end of the curve for creatures of its caliber. In a game where tempo can dictate wins and losses, spending four mana on a creature that necessitates specific conditions to maximize its value can be a setback in fast-paced matches.

Discard Requirement: To unlock Afflicted Deserter’s full potential and transform it into Werewolf Ransacker, certain prerequisites need to be met, including a requirement for no spells to be cast in a turn. This can be particularly challenging, as it relies heavily on your opponent’s play pattern as well as your own, making it less reliable as a transformational tactic compared to cards with more straightforward conditions.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Afflicted Deserter // Werewolf Ransacker offers dynamic gameplay by transforming under specific conditions. This adds flexibility to your deck, adapting to the flow of the game whether you need a 3/2 that punishes artifact holders or a 5/4 that can decimate the opponent’s utilities.

Combo Potential: In decks that manipulate werewolf transformations or that benefit from destroying opponents’ artifacts, this card’s flip mechanism can be exploited. Pairing it with cards that prevent your opponents from casting spells can ensure a quick transformation into Werewolf Ransacker.

Meta-Relevance: Given the artifact-heavy decks prevalent in the meta, the Werewolf Ransacker’s ability to remove key components of your opponent’s strategy can tip the scales in your favor, making it a tactical choice for your lineup.

How to beat

Afflicted Deserter is a unique card in MTG that transforms into the formidable Werewolf Ransacker, creating a challenging obstacle on the battleground. When night falls and it flips, not only does it become a powerful attacker, but it also wreaks havoc by destroying artifacts. This dual identity makes it an intimidating foe. To tackle this threat, speed is of the essence. Preventing the transformation is key, which means consistently casting spells to ensure it never becomes night on your watch.

Removal spells are your second line of defense. Cards that can exile or destroy creatures at instant speed give you the flexibility to deal with the Afflicted Deserter before it transforms or the Werewolf Ransacker immediately upon its emergence. Keep in mind that this werewolf, like many other double-faced cards, is vulnerable when it’s changing forms. Seize the opportunity then to get rid of it for good. By prioritizing board control and maintaining a stream of spells, you can keep this lycanthropic threat at bay and secure your victory in the game.