Corrupt Court Official MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 71
2022-04-29 - Number 70
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Advisor |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Corrupt Official comes into play, your opponent chooses and discards a card from his or her hand. (Ignore this effect if your opponent doesn't have any cards.)
Cards like Corrupt Court Official
Corrupt Court Official brings a unique spin on the notion of control in Magic: The Gathering. When examining cards of similar functionality, we notice a kinship with Ravenous Rats, as both drop onto the battlefield with the intent of disrupting an opponent’s hand. Whereas Corrupt Court Official requires a small payment to trigger its ability, Ravenous Rats does not. This offers players a strategic choice depending on the deck’s mana curve and overall strategy.
Another comparable card is Burglar Rat, which immediately forces the opponent to discard upon entering the battlefield, much like Corrupt Court Official but without requiring additional mana. This direct impact can be critical in certain game moments, especially when coupled with other cards that thrive off an opponent’s discard actions. Yet, the Court Official offers flexibility – the choice to activate this effect at a potentially more opportune time could turn the tides in a player’s favor.
Finally, determining the superiority amongst these cards isn’t straightforward. The effectiveness of Corrupt Court Official, with its conditional discard ability, hinges on the surrounding deck and the specific match conditions. The card excels in situations that allow for mana optimization and strategic discard timing.
Cards similar to Corrupt Court Official by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Corrupt Court Official. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Midrange | Historic | Other | MTGA Pauper: Historic Pauper Tournament (6 Jan '24) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Corrupt Court Official provides a valuable peek into your opponent’s hand, offering the opportunity to disrupt their strategy by discarding a nonland card of your choice. This allows for both informational and strategic card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Despite not directly accelerating resources, the primary function of Corrupt Court Official is to slow down your opponent, essentially placing you ahead in the race for resources. By removing key cards from their hand, you can indirectly impact the resource balance in your favor.
Instant Speed: While Corrupt Court Official operates at sorcery speed, the effects of its enter-the-battlefield ability can be comparable to an instant-speed interaction by preemptively removing threats or key components from your opponent’s hand before they have the chance to use them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Corrupt Court Official forces a discard upon entrance, which can present a significant setback if your hand is already light on cards. This self-punishing stipulation can be particularly cumbersome in the late game when every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: With its mana cost requiring black mana, Corrupt Court Official can only slip comfortably into monochrome black decks or those that can reliably produce black mana, potentially excluding it from a diverse array of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that triggers its effect only upon entering the battlefield, the mana investment for Corrupt Court Official is on the steeper side. Other options in the game may provide similar or enhanced effects with a more affordable mana investment, giving players considerable alternative choices for their deck construction.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Corrupt Court Official offers a flexible play in many deck archetypes, particularly in those that can capitalize on its enter-the-battlefield effect to disrupt opponents’ hands.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to force an opponent to discard adds a layer of strategic depth, making it an integral part of discard-themed combos and synergizing well with cards that benefit from an opponent’s empty hand.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in removing key cards from the opponent’s grip, Corrupt Court Official becomes increasingly relevant in metas heavy with combo decks or where hand advantage plays a crucial role.
How to beat
Corrupt Court Official brings an intriguing dynamic to player interactions in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card, when it enters the battlefield, it forces an opponent to discard a card, thereby potentially disrupting their planned strategies. This ability makes it a valuable asset for controlling the flow of the game, similar to the effects of well-known cards such as Ravenous Rats or Burglar Rat which also compel discarding but lack the political nuance Corrupt Court Official introduces.
To effectively counter this card, consider including instant-speed removal spells in your deck that can neutralize the Official before its ability triggers, like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt. Additionally, having cards with flash can provide a means to populate the board while waiting to deal with threats at the most opportune moment. Providing you keep board control and strategically plan your card plays, the impact of Corrupt Court Official can be mitigated, allowing you to maintain the upper hand over your opponent’s attempt at interference.
Ultimately, though Corrupt Court Official can be a thorn in your side, thoughtful deck construction and responsive gameplay will aid in overcoming the challenges it presents, maintaining the integrity of your hand and the momentum of your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Corrupt Court Official MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Corrupt Court Official 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
Printings
The Corrupt Court Official Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 71 | 1997 | Normal | White | Li Yousong | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | Streets of New Capenna | SNC | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Drew Baker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Corrupt Court Official has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |