Cephalid Snitch MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cephalid Wizard |
| Released | 2002-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Torment |
| Set code | TOR |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 30 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jerry Tiritilli |
Text of card
Sacrifice Cephalid Snitch: Target creature loses protection from black until end of turn.
The cautious are wary of their enemies. The wise are also wary of their friends.
Cards like Cephalid Snitch
Cephalid Snitch stands out within the array of blue creatures in Magic: The Gathering with its unique trait of targeting other creatures to lose protection. Other cards with a similar protective disruption include Siren Stormtamer and Kira, Great Glass-Spinner. Siren Stormtamer can be sacrificed to counter a spell or ability that targets you or a creature you control, providing greater control over the gameplay whereas Kira offers a blanket safeguard by countering the first spell or ability that targets a creature you control each turn.
Another card worth mentioning is Judge’s Familiar, which can be sacrificed to counter a target instant or sorcery spell unless its controller pays one extra mana. Unlike Cephalid Snitch, Judge’s Familiar requires no mana to activate its ability, providing more flexibility. Moreover, Voidmage Prodigy offers a twist; it can counter any spell as long as you sacrifice a Wizard and pay two mana, making it a versatile addition to any Wizard-centric deck.
Each card brings its own strategic advantages to a deck. While Cephalid Snitch might not offer the counterplay and flexibility of the others, its niche effect can be vital in dismantling an opponent’s strategy that hinges on protective abilities.
Cards similar to Cephalid Snitch by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cephalid Snitch’s ability to target and remove protection from a creature ensures that you can bypass defenses and potentially draw into more advantageous situations.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana pool, this card can certainly accelerate your board state by removing an obstacle, allowing for unfettered attacks or the use of targeted removal spells.
Instant Speed: The fact that Cephalid Snitch operates at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategies during their turn or in response to their spells, maintaining the element of surprise and control over the game’s flow.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fuel its ability, Cephalid Snitch demands you to part with a precious card from your hand. This can set you back, especially in tight situations where each card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and colorless mana makes this card a bit restrictive. It interlocks smoothly within blue-aligned decks, but outside that, it becomes harder to cast.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with modest stats and a very niche ability, the mana investment might not yield the expected payoff, particularly when there are other creatures or spells available that provide greater versatility at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cephalid Snitch’s ability to interact with opponents’ creatures by making them lose abilities allows for flexible use in a variety of decks against different strategies.
Combo Potential: This card works well with other cards that capitalize on creature types, such as tribal synergies or ability disruption mechanics, enhancing both offensive and defensive tactics.
Meta-Relevance: Particularly effective in metas where static abilities on creatures are prevalent, Cephalid Snitch can be a tactical asset, turning the tide in matchups where those abilities would otherwise dominate the game.
How to beat Cephalid Snitch
The Cephalid Snitch card presents an intriguing challenge within Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that carries the ability to grant protection from black spells or effects to a targeted creature, it poses a strategic obstacle, particularly in matches with a heavy reliance on black magic. To effectively navigate around this card, you might consider employing removal spells that don’t specifically use the color black or target the creature in ways that bypass the given protection, such as with board wipes that affect all creatures regardless of color.
Moreover, one could look towards counter spells to stop the Cephalid Snitch from hitting the battlefield in the first place, or alternatively, utilize enchantment removal options if its controlling player manages to leverage its ability. Other tactics include overpowering the opponent with creatures and spells outside of the black color spectrum or circumventing creature-based interactions altogether with direct player-damage spells. Understanding your own deck’s strength and versatility to address such nuisances is key in outmaneuvering an opponent who plays a Cephalid Snitch.
In sum, while the Cephalid Snitch can indeed offer a barrier against certain strategies, adapting your playstyle and incorporating a varied toolbox of responses within your deck ensures you’re equipped to tackle not only the Snitch but a broader array of obstacles in a game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cephalid Snitch MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Cephalid Snitch and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Cephalid Snitch has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |