Agent of Raffine MTG Card


Agent of Raffine offers notable card advantage and resource acceleration for control-heavy decks. Its precise mana cost may limit its use but also contributes to its consistency and power. Strategic instant-speed deployment can significantly disrupt your opponent’s game plan.
Agent of Raffine - Alchemy: New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Abilities Conjure
Released2022-06-02
Set symbol
Set nameAlchemy: New Capenna
Set codeYSNC
Power 1
Toughness 2
Number4
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCaroline Gariba

Text of card

, : Choose target opponent. Conjure a duplicate of the top card of their library into your hand. It perpetually gains "You may spend mana as though it were mana of any color to cast this spell." Then they exile the top card of their library face down.


Cards like Agent of Raffine

The Agent of Raffine sits comfortably within the intrigue of espionage-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its mechanics are reminiscent of cards like Sygg, River Cutthroat, which rewards players in a slightly different fashion. While Sygg capitalizes on the damage dealt to opponents to allow card drawing, Agent of Raffine uses its conniving ability to survey and discard to filter out your deck and harness specific strategies.

Another comparable card is Thieves’ Guild Enforcer, which shares the rogue synergy and benefits from decks with a significant number of rogues. Thieves’ Guild Enforcer also focuses on disrupting the opponent by milling upon entering the battlefield, contrasting with Agent of Raffine’s more selective approach on card advantage. Additionally, consider Loyal Retainers as a parallel in terms of loyalty and service—though it’s more about creature reanimation than card advantage, it highlights another aspect of servitude in the MTG universe.

In essence, while other cards offer singular benefits such as damage-related draws or outright milling, Agent of Raffine provides a valuable blend of survey, discard, and rogue-centric perks, finding its niche among MTG players who value finesse and control over brute force.

Sygg, River Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Thieves' Guild Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Loyal Retainers - MTG Card versions
Sygg, River Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Thieves' Guild Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Loyal Retainers - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Agent of Raffine by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
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Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
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Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
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Timebender - MTG Card versions
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Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Cursecatcher - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions
Flying Men - MTG Card versions
Shrieking Drake - MTG Card versions
Cloud Pirates - MTG Card versions
Fledgling Osprey - MTG Card versions
Manta Riders - MTG Card versions
Faerie Squadron - MTG Card versions
Faerie Seer - MTG Card versions
Fugitive Wizard - MTG Card versions
Wandering Ones - MTG Card versions
Teardrop Kami - MTG Card versions
Dreamcatcher - MTG Card versions
Drifter il-Dal - MTG Card versions
Sage of Epityr - MTG Card versions
Screeching Sliver - MTG Card versions
Timebender - MTG Card versions
Cloud Sprite - MTG Card versions
Merrow Witsniper - MTG Card versions
Cursecatcher - MTG Card versions
Martyr of Frost - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

For players looking to refine their strategies, the Agent of Raffine is a powerful addition to any deck that thrives on control and finesse. Its abilities are carefully aligned with some of the key components for victory in the ever-evolving environment of MTG.

Card Advantage: Agent of Raffine shines by offering card advantage through its draw capability. Not only does this supply you with more options to respond to the battlefield, but it also depletes the resources of your opponent, effectively skewing the match in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Accelerating your resources is critical, and Agent of Raffine excels in this aspect. By potentially untapping lands or other mana sources, it bolsters your position by allowing you to deploy further threats or hold up defenses much quicker than usual.

Instant Speed: The flexibility afforded by instant-speed spells cannot be overstated, and in this case, you can utilize Agent of Raffine at the most opportune moments. This timing control can disrupt opponents’ strategies while keeping yours fluid and adaptable.

Embracing the power of Agent of Raffine in your deck could be the tactical edge you need to outmaneuver and outplay the competition, making your gameplay as sharp and cunning as the Agent itself.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Agent of Raffine requires that you discard another card to take advantage of its surveil effect. This requirement can be burdensome when your hand is running low on cards, putting you at a potential disadvantage by further depleting your resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Agent of Raffine demands a precise combination of mana, including both blue and black. This specificity can restrict the card to decks that can reliably generate both colors, potentially limiting its versatility across a broader range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is not insignificant, Agent of Raffine may compete for the mana resources you would allocate for other impactful plays during the mid-to-late game. Considering the entirety of your deck’s curve is essential when including cards with a higher mana cost such as this.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Agent of Raffine slots seamlessly into different deck archetypes due to its flexible mana cost and the ability to surveil each time it enters the battlefield or attacks. This adds both a creature presence and strategic deck manipulation to your play.

Combo Potential: With its inherent skill to peek at the top of your deck and its conniving keyword, Agent of Raffine works as a neat piece in combos that care about drawing cards or manipulating the library, enhancing synergies across the board.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to influence game flow through consistent deck filtering, Agent of Raffine maintains its relevance in evolving metagames, especially in formats where keeping the right cards in hand is crucial to outmaneuver opponents.


How to beat

Confronting the Agent of Raffine in the realm of Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic plan. This card, notable for its infiltration abilities, poses a unique challenge. Its connive mechanism allows it to not just peek at the top card of your library but also to grow in power while potentially drawing a card if discarded. Overcoming this stealthy adversary often entails a two-pronged approach – managing both the battlefield and your own deck’s organization.

Removal spells are your first line of defense. Instant-speed interaction like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can swiftly address this threat before its connive ability impacts the game. By staying ahead of the curve and keeping mana open for these key spells, you can negate the Agent’s advantage. Additionally, having graveyard interaction such as Scavenging Ooze or Leyline of the Void can preemptively combat this agent’s card advantage and compromise its strengthening capability through connive. Properly countering this card hinges on maintaining control, precise timing, and leveraging your removal and graveyard disruption resources effectively.

In essence, outmaneuvering the Agent of Raffine involves a blend of anticipation and resource management. Ensuring you’re equipped with the right spells and tactics can help you maintain the upper hand against this potent opponent on the field of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Agent of Raffine MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: 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 Agent of Raffine and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Agent of Raffine has restrictions

FormatLegality
GladiatorLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal