Cabal Trainee MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Minion |
| Released | 2002-05-27 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Judgment |
| Set code | JUD |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 63 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pete Venters |
Text of card
Sacrifice Cabal Trainee: Target creature gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
"Ah, a faceshredder. Very rare. Nearly unstoppable. Good luck!" —Cabal instructor
Discover Comparable MTG Options to Cabal Trainee
Within the Magic: The Gathering universe, Cabal Trainee has its own unique space among creature cards. This card allows players to effectively deal with threats by sacrificing itself to weaken an opponent’s creature. As players assess options to include in their decks, they may come across cards like Festering Goblin, which shares a similar sacrificial angle. Festering Goblin also provides a way to influence the board by giving a creature -1/-1 until the end of turn when it dies, yet it doesn’t necessitate a mana payment.
Another related card is Fume Spitter, offering a utility that can be activated at will, giving it an edge in versatility compared to Cabal Trainee. Fume Spitter can place a -1/-1 counter on a target creature, dictating more permanent board changes. Additionally, Apprentice Necromancer can also appeal to players looking for reusable sacrifice creatures, albeit at a higher mana cost.
In the realm of creature sacrifices for targeted debuffs, Cabal Trainee stands as an easily accessible option, especially when requiring immediate and mana-efficient answers to threats. Its ability to operate at instant speed elevates its tactical value within this group of MTG cards.
Cards similar to Cabal Trainee by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While not a traditional draw engine, Cabal Trainee offers a strategic edge by potentially removing key creatures from the battlefield, maintaining board control. By eliminating utility creatures or cards with detrimental abilities, you can prevent your opponent from generating their own card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Cabal Trainee may not directly ramp your mana pool, but it can pave the way for resource acceleration by taking out problematic blockers. This enables your more essential creatures to swing in unhindered, potentially accelerating your damage output and leading to swifter victories.
Instant Speed: The Trainee’s sacrifice ability can be activated at instant speed, allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy. Whether it’s in response to an enchantment, a combat trick, or to prevent a creature’s ability from triggering, this flexibility can be a tactical advantage during any phase of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cabal Trainee mandates that you discard a card to activate its key ability. This can put you at a significant disadvantage, particularly in games where maintaining a full hand is critical to executing your strategy. Carefully weigh the timing of this ability to ensure you’re not depleting your hand when you might need those cards for future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Cabal Trainee’s ability requires one black mana. This aspect makes it a less versatile choice in multicolored decks that may not consistently have access to black mana or those that prioritize flexibility in mana usage.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Cabal Trainee itself might not seem expensive to cast, but investing mana into its activated ability could impact your ability to play other spells. Considering that the Trainee is a creature with limited impact on the board, other cards at a similar mana cost bracket might provide you with a more substantial immediate effect or a stronger presence on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Cabal Trainee offers dynamic utility for decks focused on sacrificing creatures. Its ability to eliminate problematic one-toughness creatures can be seamlessly integrated into various deck archetypes, making it a flexible sideboard option.
Combo Potential: As a piece in intricate combo setups, this card shines. It can be co-opted into strategies with cards that trigger upon sacrificing a creature, such as through death triggers or morbid abilities, paving the way for unexpected and game-changing plays.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where utility creatures and mana dorks rule the battlefield, the Cabal Trainee provides a straightforward answer. This low-cost creature offers a practical solution to shifting metas where small creatures can dictate the early pace of the game.
How to Beat
Cabal Trainee may not be the most formidable creature in MTG, yet it holds its own unique strategic value. This particular card can challenge players due to its potential to eliminate key creatures with one toughness, altering the tempo of the game.
When facing this small yet potentially pesky creature, it’s essential to plan your moves carefully. Utilizing creatures with more than one toughness is a straightforward method to diminish the Cabal Trainee’s impact on the board. Cards with abilities that can protect your creatures from being targeted or spells that grant indestructibility for a turn will also nullify the Trainee’s ability. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells will be your ally, allowing you to eliminate the Trainee before it can exercise its power. Finally, aiming to control the battlefield through consistent pressure and strategic eliminations can mitigate the advantages that Cabal Trainee offers to your opponent.
It’s all about understanding the tactical depth of your deck against cards like Cabal Trainee. By appreciating synergies and potential counters within your strategy, you can outmaneuver opponents who rely on the Trainee’s sneaky elimination ability, ensuring it doesn’t become a roadblock in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cabal Trainee MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Cabal Trainee and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cabal Trainee has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |