Angrath's Ambusher MTG Card

Grants card advantage by eliminating multiple creatures while conserving your resources. Accelerates your strategy by forcing opponents to inefficiently allocate resources. Lends instant interaction proficiency, maximizing combat phase maneuverability.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Orc Pirate
Released	2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set name	Rivals of Ixalan
Set code	RIX
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	202
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Palumbo

Text of card

Angrath's Ambusher gets +2/+0 as long as you control an Angrath planeswalker.

Orcs have been enemies of the Legion of Dusk since it was formed, and the entire race has been declared anathema.

Cards like Angrath's Ambusher

Angrath’s Ambusher is a notable creature card that can play a ruthless role in controlling the board in Magic: The Gathering. It comes across as a menacing combat trick due to its ability to deal damage to an opponent as it attacks, evocative of cards like Hired Poisoner. Both are deadly in their own right but the Ambusher edges ahead with its Orc Pirate synergies and stronger stat line.

Looking toward Dreadmalkin, the similarity arises in the creature-type benefits and that small mana cost for a deceptively threatening presence on the field. Where Angrath’s Ambusher gains an advantage is in its direct player-damage capability that doesn’t rely on sacrificing other creatures. Then there’s Goblin Trailblazer, another card that mirrors the pirate theme and menace ability, ensuring that it is no simple task for your opponent to block. But it falls short of the Ambusher’s direct damage potential, making Angrath’s Ambusher a card that can catch an opponent off-guard and alter the battle’s momentum.

When comparing this card to its peers in the vast ocean of Magic: The Gathering, Angrath’s Ambusher points its sword firmly at value and flexibility within pirate-themed decks, doubling as a reliable combatant and constant threat to the opponent’s life total.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Angrath’s Ambusher may not directly draw you cards, but it can potentially take out multiple creatures over the course of a game. As opponents lose creatures while your Ambusher remains on the field, you effectively gain card advantage without spending additional resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Angrath’s Ambusher doesn’t boost your mana pool, it can help maintain a state of resource parity. By threatening to damage attacking or blocking creatures, it can force your opponent to use resources inefficiently, effectively accelerating your own strategic position without additional cost.

Instant Speed: The ability of Angrath’s Ambusher to deal damage to target creature an opponent controls as soon as it becomes blocked or is blocking rewards players who adeptly navigate the combat phase. This passive ability functions at the speed of instant interactions, allowing you a reactionary measure that can be used strategically during the heat of battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Angrath’s Ambusher necessitates players to discard a card to activate its key abilities. This sacrifice can prove to be a tactical disadvantage, particularly when players are holding a hand full of valuable cards or are facing a situation where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Angrath’s Ambusher is narrowly defined, requiring a specific combination of black and red mana. This makes the card less flexible, often confining it to a dedicated pirate or black-red Aggro deck, which might not always be viable in a varied metagame.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered steep for its stat line and abilities, Angrath’s Ambusher competes with other cards in the same cost bracket that could potentially offer more impactful effects or a stronger board presence. This cost-benefit analysis may sway players towards options that give them a better return on their invested mana.

Reasons to Include Angrath’s Ambusher in Your Collection

Versatility: Angrath’s Ambusher offers flexible play options, aligning well with decks that emphasize pirate synergies or require aggressive creatures. Its ability to deal damage to players or planeswalkers when it attacks adds a layer of tactical advantage no matter the match-up.

Combo Potential: With its damage-dealing ability, Angrath’s Ambusher pairs nicely with effects that increase damage or offer additional triggers upon dealing damage to opponents. It bolsters combos that capitalize on aggressive early game strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Given the bustling pirate archetype within certain metas, Angrath’s Ambusher can be a key player. It thrives in environments where early creature threats can pressure opponents and tilt the balance in your favor early on in the game.

How to beat

Angrath’s Ambusher is a creature card that offers certain advantages when playing a pirate-themed deck in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to deal damage to the opponent each time it or another pirate you control becomes blocked can be a persistent nuisance. However, its strength is also its achilles heel; as a relatively low-toughness creature, removal spells are your best tactic. Simple damage spells like Shock, Lightning Strike or more comprehensive options like Murder can effectively deal with the Ambusher before it starts to sway the game.

Moreover, because Angrath’s Ambusher hinges on a pirate-centric strategy, hindering your opponent’s ability to establish or maintain a board presence with such synergies can undercut the Ambusher’s effectiveness. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or the more recent Doomskar serve as powerful tools to reset the playing field and remove this threat along with others. Similarly, evasive actions that prevent the card from blocking, or consistently using larger creatures to deter attacks can nullify its ability and minimize its impact during matches.

In sum, understanding how to tackle Angrath’s Ambusher involves a combination of targeted removal and disruption of pirate synergy, diminishing the card’s influence on the game and ultimately maintaining control over the match’s pace and your adversary’s potential threats.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Angrath's Ambusher MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Angrath's Ambusher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Angrath's Ambusher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal