Brutal Nightstalker MTG Card

Brutal Nightstalker forces card discard, providing both player insight and resource removal. This MTG card balances board threats and resource acceleration against opponents. Consider mana requirements and casting costs when integrating Nightstalker into your deck.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Nightstalker
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	64
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brom

Text of card

When Brutal Nightstalker comes into play from your hand, you may force your opponent to choose and discard a card from his or her hand.

Cards like Brutal Nightstalker

The realm of creatures with disruptive abilities in Magic: The Gathering welcomes Brutal Nightstalker to its ranks. As a relative of cards like Chittering Rats, Brutal Nightstalker forces opponents to put a card from their hand on top of their library. However, Chittering Rats does not offer the element of surprise that Brutal Nightstalker does, since Nightstalker’s effect can be triggered when it’s unearthed rather than just when it’s played.

Mirroring this mechanic, Abyssal Gatekeeper requires a sacrifice when it dies, impacting the field similarly to Brutal Nightstalker’s hand disruption. The Nightstalker’s advantage lies in targeting the opponent’s hand directly. Liliana’s Specter adds another dimension, causing each opponent to discard a card upon entering the battlefield, offering a broader impact than the one-on-one focus of Brutal Nightstalker.

Comparing these cards highlights Brutal Nightstalker’s unique position in MTG as a creature with the versatility to surprise opponents and alter the tempo of their plays. It stands out in the context of deck strategies focusing on disrupting opponent strategies and maintaining control over the game’s flow.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Brutal Nightstalker offers a distinct edge, allowing you to strip a card directly from your opponent’s hand. This disruption doesn’t just deplete their resources but also simultaneously informs you of their potential plays, enhancing your strategic depth.

Resource Acceleration: When Brutal Nightstalker enters the battlefield, it nudges the resource balance in your favor. Not only does it pose a threat on the board, but it forces your opponent to use resources, either cards or mana, to deal with it, often accelerating your position while decelerating theirs.

Instant Speed: Although the Brutal Nightstalker itself is not an instant, its impact is so significant that it can feel as though it has the disruptive power of an instant-speed spell. Its arrival can instantly alter the state of play, akin to a sudden nightfall changing the landscape of the battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players enthusiastic about weaving the darkest of magic into their strategies, the Brutal Nightstalker requires a card to be discarded when it is summoned onto the battlefield. This cost can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning this creature demands a precise combination of mana, including two black mana symbols. This necessity can pose a challenge for multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently generate the required black mana early on in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana curve that leans towards the higher end, the Brutal Nightstalker’s effectiveness is gauged against its casting cost. In the realm of competitive play, there exist creatures and spells that might provide greater board presence or value relative to the investment they require.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Brutal Nightstalker can be a valuable asset in a variety of decks, especially those focusing on discard strategies or creature removal. Its ability to force an opponent to discard a card when it enters the battlefield makes it an effective tool in disrupting your opponent’s hand.

Combo Potential: This creature can synergize with cards that capitalize on an opponent’s card loss, such as those with the Madness mechanic or effects that trigger when an opponent discards. Additionally, it can work well in reanimator decks that aim to bring creatures back from the graveyard, potentially allowing you to repeat its enter the battlefield effect.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where hand advantage is vital, Brutal Nightstalker can be a meta-relevant addition. It’s most effective in formats where controlling an opponent’s resources is crucial to securing a win, making it a solid sideboard candidate in certain matchups.

How to beat

Brutal Nightstalker is a unique creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, bringing an interesting dynamic to the table. This card disrupts opponents by forcing them to sacrifice creatures, a feature that can turn the tide in your favor. To effectively tackle the challenge posed by Brutal Nightstalker, players should focus on strategies that limit the impact of creature sacrifice.

One approach is to utilize token-generating cards, which will allow you to have expendable creatures to sacrifice without losing significant board presence. Another is to employ instant-speed removal or bounce spells to return Brutal Nightstalker to its owner’s hand before its ability triggers, conserving your assets on the battlefield. Cards that grant indestructible or have regeneration abilities can also prove invaluable against such an adversary.

Additionally, having a counter spell strategy ready can be a game-changer. Disallowing the Nightstalker’s successful deployment or its trigger can keep your creatures safe and your opponents on the back foot. Remember, a well-timed reaction can nullify even the most brutal threats on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brutal Nightstalker MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Brutal Nightstalker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brutal Nightstalker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal