Alley Assailant MTG Card


Alley Assailant offers card advantage and disruptive instant speed abilities, enhancing control over the game. Its discard and specific mana costs may hamper adaptability and resource management in tight situations. With meta relevance and combo potential, Alley Assailant is a tough contender in aggressive strategies.
Alley Assailant - Murders at Karlov Manor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Vampire Rogue
Abilities Disguise
Released2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set nameMurders at Karlov Manor
Set codeMKM
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number76
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byWarren Mahy

Text of card

Alley Assailant enters the battlefield tapped. Disguise (You may cast this card face down for as a 2/2 creature with ward . Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.) When Alley Assailant is turned face up, target opponent loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.


Cards like Alley Assailant

Alley Assailant offers MTG enthusiasts an aggressive option for creature decks. In particular, it can be paralleled with other creatures like Raging Goblin. Both are swift attackers, but Alley Assailant carries the added utility of being able to block additional creatures, making it a more versatile choice on the battlefield. It becomes not just an offensive asset but a strategic defense component as well.

Comparing it further to Goblin Guide, another staple in red aggressive decks, Alley Assailant doesn’t provide the same immediate impact due to Goblin Guide’s haste ability. However, Alley Assailant stands out with its potential in blocking multiple creatures, which Goblin Guide lacks entirely. This characteristic might tip the scales in longer, more drawn-out matches where board control becomes paramount.

Lastly, when discerning the card’s value within red deck strategies, Alley Assailant’s uniqueness in controlling the board and pushing for damage makes it a worthy consideration. Its ability to handle several blocking duties elevates its standing among creatures of similar mana cost and might be just the right fit for players aiming to blend aggression with tactical defense.

Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Alley Assailant by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Spined Basher - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Wall of Bone - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Spined Basher - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Alley Assailant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formUOL MKM Sealed League
Sealed DeckSealed Deck LimitedMurders At Karlov Mansion Pre-release

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When utilizing Alley Assailant, you’re given an edge as the creature’s abilities can potentially eliminate opposing creatures and thus indirectly lead to gaining card advantage. This can be pivotal during the mid to late game where every card counts.

Resource Acceleration: While Alley Assailant itself may not produce additional resources, its efficient cost-to-effect ratio permits you to deploy other threats or answers alongside it. This ensures that your resource curve is optimized, keeping the tempo in your favor.

Instant Speed: The threat of activating Alley Assailant’s abilities, especially if they can be used at instant speed, can significantly alter the way your opponent plays their turns. The ability to disrupt their strategy at crucial moments can give you a significant strategic edge, making Alley Assailant a card that is feared on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Alley Assailant demands a card discard to activate essential abilities. This can be a setback, especially when your hand is short on cards, forcing you to lose key pieces from your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Alley Assailant, you need both red and another color of mana, which may not align with mono-colored or multicolored decks lacking red. This restricts the card’s versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost that could be considered steep for its stats and effects, players may find other creatures or spells that provide greater value or impact on the game with a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Alley Assailant is a flexible card that can adapt to a multitude of deck builds. Its ability to engage in combat effectively makes it a solid inclusion for players seeking resilience on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With this card’s synergies in rogue or warrior-themed strategies, it has significant potential to enhance plays that reward combat damage or player interaction, opening up exciting avenues for combo sequences.

Meta-Relevance: Alley Assailant could find a comfortable spot in collections due to its relevance in today’s aggressive strategies. Its robust combat capabilities align well with a meta that favors quick, impactful creatures.


How to beat

Alley Assailant is a creature card that brings aggression and utility to games in Magic: The Gathering. When assessing the strengths and weaknesses of such creatures, it is essential to consider the context of combat. Alley Assailant packs a punch, but its power on the battlefield can be mitigated by utilizing creatures with higher toughness or those that have deathtouch. This turns any combat involving the Alley Assailant into an unfavorable trade for your opponent.

Removal spells are another effective countermeasure. Cards that can exile or destroy creatures at instant speed can handle Alley Assailant before it has a chance to cause significant damage. Board wipes also prove to be a formidable answer, clearing the way for a more controlled game state. Additionally, bouncing it back to an opponent’s hand disrupts their tempo and may force them to recast the Assailant, wasting valuable mana and delaying their offense.

Ultimately, the key to beating Alley Assailant lies in recognizing its potential threat early and neutralizing it through strategic deployment of creatures and spells. By doing so, you can maintain board superiority and diminish the impact of this aggressive adversary on your road to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Alley Assailant MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Alley Assailant and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Alley Assailant has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal