Courier's Briefcase MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Treasure

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants card superiority by providing access to additional library options, key to dominating the game.
  2. Enhances mana resources via Treasure tokens, pivotal for casting spells or activating abilities ahead of time.
  3. Allows for tactical plays at instant speed, adapting to changes and surprising opponents effectively.

Text of card

When Courier's Briefcase enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 green and white Citizen creature token. , Sacrifice Courier's Briefcase: Add one mana of any color. , , Sacrifice Courier's Briefcase: Draw three cards.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the standout features of Courier’s Briefcase is its ability to facilitate card advantage. As MtG players well know, staying ahead in card resources often correlates to controlling the flow of the game. With its inherent capacity to provide additional options from your library, this card helps maintain that crucial edge over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Another key characteristic of Courier’s Briefcase is resource acceleration. The briefcase’s utility does not end with card advantage; it also produces mana resources. In the resource-intensive world of MtG, having access to additional mana through Treasure tokens can be a pivotal turning point, allowing you to cast more influential spells or activate crucial abilities earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Courier’s Briefcase gives a strategic advantage to players who can adeptly navigate the complexities of MtG. This allows you to adapt to the evolving board state, making decisions in the most opportune moments, particularly during your opponent’s turn, maximizing effectiveness and maintaining the element of surprise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Courier’s Briefcase necessitates discarding a card as an extra cost to trigger its ability. This can prove problematic, particularly in tight game situations where each card in hand is valuable and you can’t afford to lose any of them.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of the Briefcase requires precise mana colors which might not always align smoothly with a player’s mana base, making it less flexible across various deck archetypes that cannot consistently provide the required colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment compared to other artifacts in the game, players have to weigh the opportunity cost. In some cases, other cards may provide similar or better benefits without the hefty mana expenditure, making them more appealing choices for deck construction.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The adaptability of Courier’s Briefcase is what sets it apart. It’s a multi-functional tool that has a home in a variety of strategies, supplementing mana when needed or offering card access when your hand runs low.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines in its ability to fit into intricate combinations. The clues it generates are not only useful for drawing cards but can also be crucial for enabling synergies with other cards that thrive on having numerous artifacts or clues on the field.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s currently rewarding players for flexible and responsive deck builds, Courier’s Briefcase provides just that edge. It has the potential to be an under-the-radar enabler in both casual and competitive play, making it a wise choice for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve.


How to beat

Courier’s Briefcase is a card that has the potential to shift the dynamics of any game in Magic: The Gathering, with its ability to generate tokens that can be traded for mana or card draws. To counteract the value Courier’s Briefcase brings to the board, it’s essential to have a strategy that either neutralizes the briefcase’s abilities or outpaces the advantage it grants. Targeted removal spells like Disenchant or Abrade can directly handle the briefcase before its benefits are reaped. Another tactic is to focus on limiting the number of artifacts your opponent controls through cards like By Force or Vandalblast.

Aggressive decks can overcome Courier’s Briefcase by prioritizing a quick win, minimizing the impact the card can have on the game’s outcome. Control decks may employ counterspells, such as Negate or Disallow, to prevent the briefcase from hitting the field in the first place. Lastly, maintaining pressure and presenting multiple threats can spread your opponent’s resources too thin, diminishing the briefcase’s impact. Mitigating the Courier’s Briefcase’s advantages requires timely interaction, a clear focus on your win conditions, and the right mix of cards in your deck.


Cards like Courier's Briefcase

Courier’s Briefcase introduces an inventive dynamic to the resource acceleration mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. Reflecting on cards with comparable features, we might consider Trail of Evidence. Both cards aid in amassing clues that eventually translate into card draws. Yet, Courier’s Briefcase stands out by immediately generating a clue token upon entering the battlefield, whereas Trail of Evidence requires you to cast an instant or sorcery to get the clue.

Smuggler’s Copter emerges as another parallel, being a vehicle with resourceful qualities. It shares the looting ability, allowing you to draw a card and then discard a card when it becomes crewed. Unlike the immediate benefit of Courier’s Briefcase, Smuggler’s Copter’s advantage is dovetailed to combat. Another peer is Ghirapur Orrery, which like the Briefcase, encourages drawing more cards, but it benefits each player, unlike the unilateral advantage offered by Courier’s Briefcase.

Ultimately, while examining these cards side by side, Courier’s Briefcase earns its place in decks that favor direct clue token generation and incremental card advantage, without needing to rely on other spells or combat scenarios to activate its potential.

Trail of Evidence - MTG Card versions
Smuggler's Copter - MTG Card versions
Ghirapur Orrery - MTG Card versions
Trail of Evidence - MTG Card versions
Smuggler's Copter - MTG Card versions
Ghirapur Orrery - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Courier's Briefcase MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna 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 Courier's Briefcase and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Courier's Briefcase Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 1422015NormalBlackJosu Hernaiz
22022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 4672015NormalBlackJosu Hernaiz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Courier's Briefcase has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal