Alora, Cheerful Assassin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Halfling Rogue Assassin |
| Released | 2022-07-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | HBG |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 5b |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Aaron Miller |
Text of card
Whenever you attack, up to one target attacking creature can't be blocked this turn. At the beginning of the next end step, return that creature to its owner's hand. If you do, each opponent loses 2 life.
Cards like Alora, Cheerful Assassin
Alora, Cheerful Assassin finds a close comparison within the rogue’s gallery of MTG’s legendary creatures. Notably, Alora shares a kinship with cards like Sygg, River Cutthroat in its rogue affiliation and ability to capitalize on opponent’s life loss. Where Sygg gains advantage through card draw when an opponent loses 3 life, Alora adds a twist with gaining life as well as offering card advantage.
Glaring at Etrata, the Silencer, there’s an observable pattern in these assassin-themed cards having a strong impact on gameplay, but Etrata’s exile effect sets her apart. Conversely, Alora’s life gain and potential for card draw provide more sustained value over time. Also, Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence presents a case wherein it creates assassins with deatouch, yet Alora stands out through her direct gameplay interaction as a creature when she connects.
In review of similar options, Alora, Cheerful Assassin offers a dynamic playstyle for those who enjoy the sneakiness of rogue characters with added value. Her unique blend of abilities offers players an engaging experience, finding a distinctive place in MTG’s pantheon of memorable rogue legends.
Cards similar to Alora, Cheerful Assassin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Alora, Cheerful Assassin, provides an exceptional benefit of card selection. By allowing a peek at the top three cards of your library, you can effectively strategize your gameplay, ensuring access to the right resources when needed. This innate ability aids in curating your hand to maintain a strategic edge over your opposition.
Resource Acceleration: Tied to the mechanics of assassination, Alora enhances your mana pool. Every time you successfully remove a foe’s creature from the playing field, Alora’s assassinations turn into resource acceleration by rewarding you with tokens. These tokens are valuable for powering subsequent spells, thus keeping the momentum in your favor.
Instant Speed: Alora’s quick reflexes are reflected in her ability to interact at instant speed. This adds a layer of complexity and surprise to your strategy, allowing you to respond to threats or create opportunities at a moment’s notice. The flexibility offered by instant speed interactions enables complex combat tricks and unforeseen plays that can turn the tide of any match in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Alora, Cheerful Assassin compels players to part with a card from their hand, which could potentially backfire when options are already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Her casting cost demands both black and blue mana, potentially restricting her to only those decks that can reliably produce both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side, some players may find that Alora, Cheerful Assassin comes into play too late or competes with other pivotal spells in that same cost slot.
Reasons to Include Alora, Cheerful Assassin in Your Collection
Versatility: Alora, Cheerful Assassin is a flexible card that can adapt to various playstyles and formats. Its unique abilities allow it to be a valuable asset in both aggressive and controlling decks. Due to its ability to disrupt opponent strategies while offering card advantage, Alora is a card that can find a place in many different decks.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Alora can become a linchpin in combo decks. Its synergistic potential with other cards that thrive on sacrificing creatures or benefit from death triggers can turn it into a game-ending threat or a source of continuous value over the course of a game.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the dynamism of the current meta, Alora’s capabilities to challenge prevalent strategies can make it a meta call, slotting into your deck to exploit the weaknesses of the popular decks you face most often. This MTG card offers both proactive gameplay and reactive solutions, making it a considerable choice for those aiming to stay ahead of the competitive curve.
How to beat
Confronting Alora, Cheerful Assassin in Magic: The Gathering requires a strategic approach. This rogue character, known for quietly undermining opponents, can be a significant roadblock in your quest for victory. She boasts abilities that allow her to disrupt your gameplay, making it essential to have a plan to negate her influence.
Key to overcoming Alora is to employ removal spells that can handle her before she establishes control. Cards like Murder, which can destroy any creature for a reasonable mana cost, are incredibly effective. Similarly, control decks that focus on countering key spells can prevent Alora from ever entering the battlefield. Using spells like Counterspell ensures she never gets a chance to utilize her cunning abilities.
Moreover, it’s advisable to manage your hand and graveyard with care, as Alora’s strength lies in exploiting cards from these zones. Graveyard hate cards, such as Rest in Peace, can nullify her proficiency in using your graveyard against you. Bearing in mind these strategies, Alora’s impact can be mitigated, allowing you to maintain the upper hand and secure your path to triumph within the game’s multifaceted environment.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alora, Cheerful Assassin MTG card by a specific set like 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 Alora, Cheerful Assassin and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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