Blightwing Bandit MTG Card


Steals cards and adds to your hand, providing a continuous card advantage and strategic edge. Accelerates resources by commandeering opponent creatures, bolstering your battlefield presence. Ability activation at sorcery speed allows for unexpected plays, catching opponents off-guard.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Faerie Rogue
Abilities Deathtouch,Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying, deathtouch Whenever you cast your first spell during each opponent's turn, look at the top card of that player's library, then exile it face down. You may play that card for as long as it remains exiled, and mana of any type can be spent to cast it.


Similar Cards

Blightwing Bandit is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its unique creature type – a human and a rogue, opening up several synergistic possibilities. Comparable cards could be Robber of the Rich, an effective human rogue that exiles cards from the opponent’s library, enabling further card draw strategy. Yet, unlike Blightwing Bandit, it doesn’t possess the power to put +1 counters on creatures you control with deathtouch.

Another player in this comparison is Nighthawk Scavenger, which shares the same innate deathtouch ability and flying characteristic. Notably, the latter’s strength varies according to the number of card types in opponent’s graveyards. Contrarily, the power of Blightwing Bandit remains constant but it offers utility by strengthening other deathtouch creatures on your side.

Then we consider Ochran Assassin, a deathtouch native creature that can force all opponent’s creatures to block it, creating a defensive line. However, the coordination between Blightwing Bandit and other creatures with deathtouch presents a compelling strategic edge.

Summarizing, when you evaluate different aspects of Blightwing Bandit, it undoubtedly shines amidst similar cards in MTG due to its integrating strength with deathtouch-aligned strategies.

Robber of the Rich - MTG Card versions
Nighthawk Scavenger - MTG Card versions
Ochran Assassin - MTG Card versions
Robber of the Rich - MTG Card versions
Nighthawk Scavenger - MTG Card versions
Ochran Assassin - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Blightwing Bandit by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blightwing Bandit turns each theft from decks into a card in your hand. This in-game mechanic amplifies your card balance against the opponent’s, providing beneficial momentum as the match goes on.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to control opponent creatures not only propels the game in your favor but also accelerates your resources. As you control more monsters through Blightwing Bandit, you simultaneously grow your field and deplete your adversary’s.

Instant Speed: Although Blightwing Bandit isn’t an instant card, it has a similar advantage. Its activated ability can be used at any time you could cast a sorcery. This means you can choose to activate it when your opponent is unprepared, turning the tide of the game quickly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Blightwing Bandit’s effectiveness is somewhat limited due to its discard requirement. You’ll need to discard a card from your hand as an extra cost, which could put you at a disadvantage, particularly if your hand is scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: This card operates with a definite colored mana cost threshold. Needing both black and red mana to play Blightwing Bandit can restrict its usability to particular deck styles, possibly thwarting its integration in diverse setups.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a four mana rate for its ability, Blightwing Bandit has a reasonably high powered cost. Bearing the mana economy in mind, some other cards may proffer more resourceful effects, such as advanced card draw or improved resource gathering.

Despite these drawbacks, the strategic use of Blightwing Bandit in the right deck configuration can lead to successful gameplay, depending on your plan and your opponent’s strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Blightwing Bandit proves its versatility in gameplay, offering a great fit for black or green decks. It’s power lies in its ability to fit effortlessly within a variety of deck themes and strategies.

Combo Potential: What is striking about Blightwing Bandit is its combo potential. With its unique blend of abilities, players can optimize their gameplay by creating effective combinations that prompt game-changing strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In terms of meta-relevance, Blightwing Bandit isn’t just a decent pick, it’s a smart choice. Given the current mid-range strategies in the meta-game, its abilities offer an edge by increasing the potency of your deck maneuvers.


How to Beat

Blightwing Bandit is an intriguing addition to the array of creature cards available in Magic: The Gathering. This tactical card, belonging to the Rogue class, comes packed with an impressive evasion ability, making it a formidable opponent to manage. However, an essential victory trick lies in managing or eliminating this elusive enemy swiftly.

Just as MTG players use tools like Ram Through or Shock to curb monsters of similar calibre, dealing with Blightwing Bandit can be a breeze if you maintain the right sequence and play strategy. One can leverage direct damage spells, especially those which can bypass its flying ability. For example, burn cards can prove exceptionally effective in this scenario. Parhelion Patrol, Skyknight Legionnaire are decent choices to include in your deck to counteract Blightwing Bandit.

Moreover, cards that effectively block flying creatures or those which can reduce an opponent’s life to zero instantly can be your savior in this battle. Remember to balance your deck appropriately to ensure both offense and defense against various gameplay scenarios.

In essence, understanding the features, attack strategy, and having the right set of cards in your arsenal are keys to defeating the Blightwing Bandit in the MTG realm.


BurnMana Recommendations

For MTG enthusiasts, Blightwing Bandit emerges as a dynamic component in your deck-building arsenal. Flipping the dynamics of control and card advantage your way, this character has the power to subtly undermine your opponent’s strategy. Whether it’s thwarting their creature base for your gain or setting the stage for a decisive play, this rogue has serious potential. Don’t let its cons deter you; with the right strategy, Blightwing Bandit can outpace its limitations. Explore the depth of your deck and revel in the art of surprise as you finely weave Blightwing Bandit into your master plan. A myriad of possibilities awaits, so immerse yourself in our vast repository and uncover ways to harness the full might of your MTG collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blightwing Bandit MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Commander and Wilds of Eldraine Commander, 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 Blightwing Bandit and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blightwing Bandit Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Marie Magny.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 492015NormalBlackMarie Magny
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 132015NormalBlackMarie Magny

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blightwing Bandit has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 Blightwing Bandit doesn't change when you can cast a spell. For example, if you exile a creature card without flash, you can cast it only during your main phase when the stack is empty.
2023-09-01 Casting an exiled card causes it to leave exile. You can't cast it multiple times.
2023-09-01 If you leave the game, the cards remain exiled face down indefinitely. No player may look at them.
2023-09-01 The six types of mana are white, blue, black, red, green, and colorless. Snow mana is not a type of mana. Blightwing Bandit won't let you pay a snow cost using mana produced by a nonsnow source.
2023-09-01 You may look at and cast the exiled cards (and spend mana of any type to do so) even if Blightwing Bandit leaves the battlefield. If another player gains control of Blightwing Bandit, that player can't look at or cast the cards, and you still can.
2023-09-01 You pay the costs for an exiled card if you cast it. You may pay any alternative costs the card has rather than the card's mana cost.