Auntie's Snitch MTG Card


Offers card advantage by returning to your hand from the graveyard via combat damage from Goblins or Rogues. Enables resource saving by recurring itself, avoiding mana expenditure for recasting creatures. Its restrictive discard and color-specific mana cost may hinder its presence in diverse decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Rogue
Abilities Prowl
Power 3
Toughness 1

Text of card

Auntie's Snitch can't block. Prowl (You may play this for its prowl cost if you dealt combat damage to a player this turn with a Goblin or Rogue.) Whenever a Goblin or Rogue you control deals combat damage to a player, if Auntie's Snitch is in your graveyard, you may return Auntie's Snitch to your hand.


Cards like Auntie's Snitch

Auntie’s Snitch is a unique card in MTG that stands out in the rogue-themed decks. It bears resemblance to other black creatures like Prickly Boggart, owing to their evasive abilities that let them slip past enemy lines unchallenged. What sets Auntie’s Snitch apart is its persistent effect, allowing it to bounce back to a player’s hand from the graveyard whenever you control a Goblin that inflicts combat damage to a player.

Comparing to Frogtosser Banneret, both offer benefits to Goblin tribal strategies, but Auntie’s Snitch provides recursive potential whereas Frogtosser reduces mana costs. Then there’s Boggart Mob, which capitalizes on champion mechanics similar to Auntie’s Snitch; however, it leans more on token generation than the direct combat advantage Auntie’s Snitch delivers.

Each card has its merit within MTG strategies, but Auntie’s Snitch excels in decks that value resiliency and repetitive threats. It doesn’t just contribute to the battlefield once but has the potential to return again and again, posing a continuous threat as long as the conditions are met. This aspect makes Auntie’s Snitch a noteworthy card for players aiming to maximize their creatures’ impact turn after turn.

Prickly Boggart - MTG Card versions
Frogtosser Banneret - MTG Card versions
Boggart Mob - MTG Card versions
Prickly Boggart - MTG Card versions
Frogtosser Banneret - MTG Card versions
Boggart Mob - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Auntie’s Snitch offers a unique means of card advantage without explicitly drawing cards. Its ability to be returned to your hand from the graveyard whenever a Goblin or Rogue you control deals combat damage to a player ensures a recurring creature presence and an ongoing threat to your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although Auntie’s Snitch doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it can be a catalyst for resource acceleration when synergized with other cards in a Goblin or Rogue deck. Each successful attack potentially avoids the need to spend mana on casting another creature, effectively saving resources for other strategic plays or spells.

Instant Speed: While Auntie’s Snitch isn’t cast at instant speed, its ability to be brought back from the graveyard has a similar strategic edge. You can plan combat and manage your graveyard in a way that best disrupts your opponent’s turn, making Auntie’s Snitch a versatile tool for tactical plays, especially when combined with other instant-speed interactions within your deck.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Auntie’s Snitch demands that a Goblin you control deals combat damage to a player before it can return from your graveyard to your hand. This stipulation can be problematic if you’re struggling to sustain a board presence or if your Goblins are continuously being thwarted.

Specific Mana Cost: Auntie’s Snitch has a mana cost that includes a specific color identity, requiring black mana. This means it fits primarily in mono-black or multicolor decks that include black, possibly limiting its inclusion in decks that cannot reliably produce black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Auntie’s Snitch can be considered costly, especially when compared to other creatures in the black mana curve. In a game where efficiency is key, this could mean sacrificing tempo or losing out on playing lower-cost cards with a more immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Auntie’s Snitch offers great versatility for players who enjoy piloting rogue and goblin-themed decks. Its ability to bounce back to your hand from the graveyard can be crucial for maintaining board presence.

Combo Potential: When combined with cards that allow you to cast many spells in one turn, Auntie’s Snitch can be cast multiple times, exploiting its prowl mechanic to the fullest and maximising synergies within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where attrition and resource management are key, the recurring threat of Auntie’s Snitch can give you the edge, making it a smart inclusion in metas that favor long, grindy matches.


How to beat Auntie’s Snitch

Auntie’s Snitch presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a card that can return from your graveyard to your hand when a fellow Goblin deals damage to an opponent, it can become a recurring thorn in your side. To triumph over this pesky Goblin Rogue, players should consider adding graveyard disruption tools to their decks. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prove invaluable, preventing Auntie’s Snitch from bouncing back into play.

Another effective strategy is to control the combat phase. Since Auntie’s Snitch relies on other Goblins to trigger its ability, sweeping the board with spells like Wrath of God can clear the path. Point removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, should also be at the ready to deal with both Auntie’s Snitch and the Goblins orchestrating its return. Utilizing these tactics will not only diminish the card’s advantage but also help maintain a clear and manageable board state.

Implementing these strategies requires precise timing and resource management, but they are key in ensuring Auntie’s Snitch doesn’t outstay its welcome. Keeping it contained is critical to sustaining board control and paving the way to victory against decks that leverage this resilient creature.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Auntie's Snitch MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide and Modern Masters, 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 Auntie's Snitch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Auntie's Snitch Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-02-01 and 2013-06-07. Illustrated by Warren Mahy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-02-01MorningtideMOR 572003NormalBlackWarren Mahy
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 722003NormalBlackWarren Mahy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Auntie's Snitch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-04-01 If a Goblin or Rogue you control deals combat damage to a player while Auntie’s Snitch is in your graveyard, you can return Auntie’s Snitch to your hand, then you can cast it for its prowl cost that turn.
2008-04-01 The last ability will trigger only if Auntie’s Snitch is in your graveyard at the moment a Goblin or Rogue deals combat damage to a player. The ability will check again when it tries to resolve. If Auntie’s Snitch hasn’t left the graveyard by this time, you may return it to your hand.