Agent of the Fates MTG Card

Agent of the Fates excels in turning targeted spells into an offensive weapon that thins opponents’ creature base. Just as mighty in defense as offense, its Deathtouch ability makes it a versatile inclusion in various decks. Strategic gameplay is crucial, as knowing how to handle this card can make or break the battlefield for both sides.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Assassin
Abilities	Deathtouch,Heroic
Released	2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set name	Theros
Set code	THS
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	76
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Stewart

Text of card

Deathtouch Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Agent of the Fates, each opponent sacrifices a creature.

"You are breathing borrowed air."

Cards like Agent of the Fates

Agent of the Fates dives into the realm of heroic creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Bearing a striking resemblance to other heroic contenders, it stands unique with its potent ability to force opponents to sacrifice creatures whenever it becomes targeted. Comparable to the card Tymaret, Chosen from Death, both encourage a strategic playstyle that manipulates the demise of enemy forces. Yet Tymaret does not incentivize targeting your own creature, while Agent of the Fates rewards this action.

Moreover, we see parallels to Banisher Priest in their shared capacity to deal with enemy creatures. However, instead of temporary removal, Agent of the Fates ensures permanent elimination through its sacrifice trigger, redefining the battlefield’s presence. Similarly, the renowned Xathrid Necromancer offers an after-death value by creating zombie tokens, yet it doesn’t share the preemptive control over opponent’s creatures that Agent of the Fates provides.

It emerges that in the grand tapestry of MTG, Agent of the Fates represents a unique tactical blend. It encourages creative play that leverages creature targeting to dismantle your rival’s army. It curates a singular niche, marrying the heroic mechanic with high-stake threats to the adversary’s board state.

Tymaret, Chosen from Death - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Agent of the Fates offers potential card advantage by forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures whenever you target it with a spell. This pressure can lead to a significant disparity in board presence between you and your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, this card can indirectly accelerate your game plan by clearing the path of potential blockers or threats, allowing you to channel resources elsewhere more productively.

Instant Speed: The capacity to target Agent of the Fates at instant speed with various spells can lead to strategic advantages. You can disrupt your opponent’s turns and force sacrifices at critical moments, making your moves less predictable and more potent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Agent of the Fates, the card necessitates that you cast a spell targeting it, potentially causing inefficiencies in your hand management.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires precisely one black and two other mana to play, making it less flexible for multicolored decks that may not always have the required mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 3/2 creature, there are alternative creatures or spells that could provide immediate impact or better stats for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Agent of the Fates proves to be a highly adaptive card with its Deathtouch ability, allowing it to serve as a formidable defender as well as a threatening attacker in various deck builds.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with spells that target your own creatures. Each heroic trigger forces opponents to sacrifice a creature, which can quickly turn the tide of the game and is particularly useful in decks designed around synergies with heroic.

Meta-Relevance: The current gaming landscape often rewards strategies that disrupt opponents’ boards. Agent of the Fates excels in this role, providing continuous pressure in matchups that rely heavily on maintaining a strong board presence.

How to beat

Agent of the Fates presents a unique challenge on MTG battlefields with its heroic ability, which demands an answer from opponents. When an opponent triggers Agent of the Fates’s ability by casting a spell that targets it, they are forced to sacrifice a creature. This effect can swiftly turn the tide of a game by depleting an opponent’s forces.

Addressing this threat requires a clear strategy. Removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or “sacrifice” effects, bypass the heroic trigger completely, negating the sacrifice requirement. Another tactic is to limit the triggers by restraining your own targeting spells or holding them until you can deal with the Agent directly. Efficiently managing your removal tools and recognizing the right moment to play them is key to dismantling the ominous presence of Agent of the Fates on the field.

Understanding and anticipating your opponent’s plays, carefully choosing when to deploy your spells, and keeping board wipes or non-targeted removal options at the ready are all part of the strategic depth MTG offers. Ultimately, overcoming a card like Agent of the Fates is a testament to a player’s tactical acumen and adaptability.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Agent of the Fates MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 the Fates and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Agent of the Fates has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-09-15	Heroic abilities will resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
2013-09-15	Heroic abilities will trigger only once per spell, even if that spell targets the creature with the heroic ability multiple times.
2013-09-15	Heroic abilities won't trigger when a copy of a spell is created on the stack or when a spell's targets are changed to include a creature with a heroic ability.