Assassin's Ink MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2022-02-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| Set code | NEO |
| Number | 87 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Heonhwa Choe |
Text of card
This spell costs less to cast if you control an artifact and less to cast if you control an enchantment. Destroy target creature or planeswalker.
A Reckoner always has another trick up their sleeve—or as their sleeve.
Cards like Assassin's Ink
Assassin’s Ink introduces a unique angle to the suite of removal options available in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It can be compared to cards like Murder, a straightforward spell capable of destroying any target creature, regardless of its size or abilities. Assassin’s Ink, while sharing the potential to remove creatures from the game, also allows for drawing a card if a certain condition is met, adding a strategic layer not present in Murder.
On the flip side, we see Go for the Throat, an efficient creature removal at a lower cost, but with a restriction that excludes artifact creatures from its targets. Assassin’s Ink does not discriminate on creature types, granting it a wider range of targets. Then there’s Dismember, which provides flexibility in its Phyrexian mana cost and can deal with creatures of varying toughness but does not offer card advantage like Assassin’s Ink.
Altogether, Assassin’s Ink stands out for blending removal with potential card advantage. It offers a compelling choice for deckbuilders looking for multifaceted interaction spells that can swing the tempo of the game while replenishing their hand, elevating its status among its peers.
Cards similar to Assassin's Ink by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Assassin’s Ink permits the drawing of additional cards, playing a critical role in retaining or improving a player’s card advantage over the course of the match.
Resource Acceleration: This card offers the strategic benefit of possibly accelerating resources, paving the way for earlier plays of high-impact cards or enabling a more efficient use of gameplay turns.
Instant Speed: The agility of instant speed interaction lets you adapt to the unfolding game, offering the choice to deploy resources at the most opportune moment, be it in reaction to an opponent’s move or at the end of their turn for maximum surprise and effect.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Assassin’s Ink comes with the caveat of needing to discard a card, often weighing down your hand management, especially in tight games where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana configuration to cast, which can be restrictive and not always optimal for decks that heavily invest in a diverse color spread.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing mana efficiency, Assassin’s Ink may be overshadowed by alternatives that can provide similar benefits or better versatility at a lower cost, challenging its inclusion in tightly curated decks.
Reasons to Include Assassin’s Ink in Your Collection
Versatility: Assassin’s Ink is a card that offers flexibility to a variety of deck builds. With its ability to disrupt the opponent’s strategy, it’s an excellent addition for players who want to maintain control of the game state.
Combo Potential: This card has the potential to work in tandem with other cards to create effective and surprising combinations. Whether it’s enabling graveyard strategies or acting as a surprise element in control decks, Assassin’s Ink can be the key component in a powerful synergy.
Meta-Relevance: Given the constantly evolving nature of the MTG metagame, Assassin’s Ink could prove its worth by countering popular threats or strategies. It’s always wise to have such a versatile tool at your disposal for when the meta shifts to a place where its effects can shine.
How to beat
Assassin’s Ink emerges as a versatile removal option in Magic: The Gathering, capable of stealthily dealing with key threats. Its conditional activation based on whether an opponent has searched their library this turn adds a strategic layer to gameplay. To effectively play against Assassin’s Ink, it’s critical to optimize your deck’s design to minimize library searches or to ensure that searches are performed at times that minimize the utility of the card for your opponent.
Counteract strategies involving Assassin’s Ink by incorporating spells that offer protection, such as hexproof, to shield your creatures from being targeted. Consider using instant-speed enchantments or combat tricks to surprise your opponent and render Assassin’s Ink ineffective. Additionally, instant-speed removal or counterspells can disrupt the synergy that Assassin’s Ink relies on, thwarting an opponent’s attempt to remove your creatures from the board.
Navigating around the conditional trigger of Assassin’s Ink requires thoughtful planning and sequencing of plays. Assessing when to hold back or when to force a search can tilt the matchup in your favor. Thus, paying close attention to the timing and flow of the game can be the key to outmaneuvering an opponent who wields this assassination tool from the shadows.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Assassin's Ink MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Assassin's Ink and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Assassin's Ink has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Assassin's Ink card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-02-18 | If you control an artifact that is also an enchantment, Assassin's Ink costs less to cast. |