Bane Alley Blackguard MTG Card


Great for board control; a substantial early game creature that can impact opponent’s resource management. Despite lacking direct acceleration, fits well in decks designed around creature synergies and sacrifice strategies. Requires thoughtful incorporation into a deck for main phase efficacy, complementing instant speed spells.
Bane Alley Blackguard - Dragon's Maze
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Released2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameDragon's Maze
Set codeDGM
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number21
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMike Bierek

Cards like Bane Alley Blackguard

Bane Alley Blackguard is another piece in the puzzle of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, nestled comfortably among other formidable two-mana cost creatures. When held up against its peers, it stands out as a card that promises a solid defense with its two power and three toughness. Cards like Walking Corpse offer similar mana costs and serve as reliable early-game defenses, but with a power to toughness ratio that leans more toward offense. Bane Alley Blackguard, in contrast, provides a sturdier blocker that can potentially withstand early creature skirmishes.

Summoning the flavor of the shadowy alleys it represents, Child of Night is another card that comes to mind. Both creatures feel at home in the perilous streets of Ravnica, yet Child of Night steps into the fray with lifelink, gifting your life total with every bite. This vampiric ability adds an extra layer of utility, unlike Bane Alley Blackguard’s straightforward stats.

In the realm of two-mana black creatures, each card offers unique advantages. While Bane Alley Blackguard might not have lifelink or aggression as its allies, its robust defense may just tip the balance in midcombat, carving a niche for itself in the diversity of Magic: The Gathering’s early-game creatures.

Walking Corpse - MTG Card versions
Child of Night - MTG Card versions
Walking Corpse - MTG Card versions
Child of Night - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Bane Alley Blackguard itself may not grant direct card advantage, its presence can be pivotal in games where board control is essential. Its moderate stats for its mana cost make it a respectable addition to your early game creature lineup, potentially forcing your opponent to expend more resources to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: The Bane Alley Blackguard is not typically associated with resource acceleration. However, it’s important to recognize that its inclusion in a deck could complement strategies that capitalize on creature synergy or sacrifice mechanics, therefore potentially contributing to indirect resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Though Bane Alley Blackguard does not operate at instant speed, its role in a deck should be appraised in relation to your larger strategy. The key is in its optimal deployment during your main phases, in concert with other instant speed spells in your arsenal, ensuring that you maximize the efficiency of your plays each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: However, Bane Alley Blackguard doesn’t come with a direct discard mechanic, it’s often swapped out for cards that provide better value or synergy in a deck, leading to an indirect discard requirement.

Specific Mana Cost: While the Bane Alley Blackguard’s mana cost is not unusually restrictive, it does require one black mana which might not always align with a deck’s mana base or strategy, potentially making it a less versatile choice for some players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing two mana for a 1/3 creature, players might find that Bane Alley Blackguard has a higher mana cost compared to other creatures with similar stats or abilities, potentially reducing its overall effectiveness in a game.


Reasons to Include Bane Alley Blackguard in Your Collection

Versatility: While Bane Alley Blackguard is a straightforward card, its role as a resilient creature in decks looking for solid early presence shouldn’t be underestimated. With its 1/3 stat line for two mana, it can be a decent defensive option in limited formats or casual play.

Combo Potential: Although the Bane Alley Blackguard may not headline major combos, its presence can support synergies in decks that capitalize on creatures with abilities triggered by entering the battlefield or those that benefit from a high creature count.

Meta-Relevance: In certain metas where aggressive early plays can determine the game’s flow, having a reliable two-drop creature like Bane Alley Blackguard could provide the necessary edge to maintain board presence against other tempo-oriented strategies.


How to beat

Bane Alley Blackguard stands as a modest creature in the vast world of Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in its toughness, presenting a substantial figure at the early stages of a game. When pitted against this shadowy figure, the focus should shift to cards that can outpace its capabilities. Removal spells are particularly effective, swiftly dealing with the Blackguard before it can become a formidable presence on the board. Consider using spells like Shock, which can take out the Blackguard before it has a chance to leverage its toughness. In the realm of combat, creatures with higher power or those with deathtouch can efficiently handle this adversary. Incorporating cards into your deck that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy is also key to overcoming creatures like Bane Alley Blackguard, which might otherwise stall your progress. Optimizing your deck to quickly address such threats ensures that a card like Bane Alley Blackguard doesn’t become an undue obstacle during play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bane Alley Blackguard MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Bane Alley Blackguard and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bane Alley Blackguard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal