Matsu-Tribe Sniper MTG Card

Matsu-Tribe Sniper - Betrayers of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Snake Warrior Archer
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	136
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Carl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

Matsu-Tribe Sniper can control the board by tapping an opponent’s creature every turn, hindering their game plan.
The Sniper’s instant speed ability offers tactical flexibility, responding to threats on your terms.
Despite its potential, the Sniper’s discard requirement may limit hand size, impacting strategic depth.

Text of card

: Matsu-Tribe Sniper deals 1 damage to target creature with flying. Whenever Matsu-Tribe Sniper deals damage to a creature, tap that creature and it doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Matsu-Tribe Sniper provides a unique form of card advantage, with the ability to lock down an opponent’s creature each turn. This repeatable action can hinder an opponent’s strategy, effectively giving you an upper hand in controlling the board.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource acceleration card, this Sniper’s ability to tap creatures can indirectly lead to a form of acceleration. By keeping potential blockers out of the way, it can enable your more impactful creatures to attack unhindered, potentially accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Matsu-Tribe Sniper can use its ability at instant speed, meaning you can wait until the most strategic moment during your opponent’s turn to tap a creature. This flexible timing allows you to respond to threats as they occur and plan your moves with more information, potentially gaining a tactical edge over your opponent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Matsu-Tribe Sniper’s ability to tap creatures can be handy, it does come with a requirement to discard a card to activate its ability. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if you are playing with a limited hand. Discarding can deplete your resources quicker than you might like, leaving you with fewer options in the long run.

Specific Mana Cost: Matsu-Tribe Sniper requires both green and colorless mana, which can be challenging in multicolored decks that might not consistently produce the necessary mana. If your deck isn’t fine-tuned to provide green mana when needed, you might find the card sitting useless in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a conversion mana cost of two, including one green, the card’s ability to tap an opponent’s creature might come at a higher cost than similar abilities on other cards. Given its limited direct impact on the game, players might find better value in cards with lower mana costs or more impactful abilities.

Reasons to Include Matsu-Tribe Sniper in Your Collection

Versatility: Matsu-Tribe Sniper is a staple utility card that can adapt to various deck strategies. Its ability to tap potential threats offers a level of control that can complement both aggressive and defensive decks.

Combo Potential: With the capability to repeatedly tap opponents’ creatures, the Sniper pairs well with cards that capitalize on creatures being tapped or unable to block, unlocking some crafty combos.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies prevail, the precision disruption offered by Matsu-Tribe Sniper can disrupt opponents’ plans and swing games in your favor, making it a timely addition to your arsenal.

How to Beat Matsu-Tribe Sniper

Matsu-Tribe Sniper presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to tap down creatures and disrupt your combat strategy. It can be particularly troublesome for decks that rely on a single, powerful creature to lead their offense. To navigate around the Sniper’s control, consider diversifying your threat base. Deploying multiple creatures reduces the impact of the Sniper’s ability, as it can only target one creature at a time.

Incorporating removal spells like Shock or Fatal Push can efficiently eliminate the Sniper before it becomes too disruptive. These cards offer a quick and cost-effective way to remove smaller creatures like the Matsu-Tribe Sniper from the game. Alternatively, enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism can neutralize the sniper without removing it, thereby bypassing any abilities that trigger upon the creature leaving the battlefield.

Lastly, instant-speed creatures with flash allow you to wait until the Sniper has been activated before playing your creature, effectively sidestepping the opportunity for it to be tapped. By combining these strategies, you can mitigate the Matsu-Tribe Sniper’s influence and maintain the upper hand in your matches.

Cards like Matsu-Tribe Sniper

Matsu-Tribe Sniper is a unique creature card steeped in strategy within the MTG universe. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other creature cards that boast tap abilities, for example, Prodigal Sorcerer. While Prodigal Sorcerer allows a tap for direct damage to any target, the Matsu-Tribe Sniper’s ability to tap is particularly pointed at dealing one damage to a creature and causing it to lose flying until end of turn. This creates a nuanced approach to creature control on the battlefield.

Another comparison is to the card Thornweald Archer, which also has reach and can deal damage to flying creatures. However, the Archer lacks the Sniper’s ability to tap and interact with creatures without using mana. Moreover, the Matsu-Tribe Sniper’s ability to keep creatures grounded gives it a tactical edge in games that are heavy with flying creatures. Lastly, if we draw an analogy with Icy Manipulator, which taps permanents without dealing damage, players might find the Matsu-Tribe Sniper’s damaging tap a more aggressive option aligned with creature-oriented and control strategies in the game.

Ultimately, Matsu-Tribe Sniper offers a blend of control and versatility, carving its niche amongst sniping creatures in MTG. While other cards may have overlapping functionalities, the Sniper’s specific combination of abilities allows for a tailored take on combat manipulation.

Cards similar to Matsu-Tribe Sniper by color, type and mana cost

Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions

Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions

Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions

Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions

Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Matsu-Tribe Sniper MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Matsu-Tribe Sniper and other MTG cards: