Dagger Caster MTG Card
2019-01-25 - Number 97
2024-02-23 - Number 130
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Viashino Rogue |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Dagger Caster enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to each opponent and 1 damage to each creature your opponents control.
"Keep coming. I have knives enough for everyone."
Cards like Dagger Caster
Dagger Caster offers a unique role among creatures in Magic: The Gathering by providing a way to deal damage to multiple creatures at once. It’s reminiscent of cards like Goblin Chainwhirler, which also deals 1 damage to each opponent and all opposing creatures upon entering the battlefield. Though both cards share a similar effect, Dagger Caster does not require red mana, which presents more versatility in deck building.
Another counterpart to consider is Vampiric Rites. This card has a distinct advantage by allowing you to deal damage and then gain life, creating a potential swing in the game’s momentum. Dagger Caster, in contrast, focuses solely on the offensive facet without the life gain strategy. The Pyroclasm Sorcery is also worth mentioning as it costs less and affects all creatures, but lacks the body that Dagger Caster provides, which means once the spell is done, there’s no lingering threat on the board.
Scrutinizing Dagger Caster and its counterparts reveals the balance of impact and versatility it brings to the playing field, making it a strategically advantageous choice for players seeking area-of-effect creature damage in their MTG strategies.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dagger Caster has the potential to clear multiple creatures from the board with its enter-the-battlefield ability. When facing down armies of small creatures, this can turn the tide of the game, effectively granting you a significant advantage by dealing with many threats at once.
Resource Acceleration: Although Dagger Caster itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its ability to wipe out a number of opponent’s creatures can indirectly accelerate your board presence by leaving your creatures unopposed and ready to attack.
Instant Speed: While Dagger Caster is a creature card and doesn’t have instant speed itself, its impact is reminiscent of instant speed board wipes. This is due to the immediate effect it has upon entering the battlefield, catching opponents off guard, especially if combined with cards that grant flash or untapping resources to enable a sudden swing in board state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dagger Caster requires a strategic setup and appropriate timing to capitalize on its ability. Without careful planning, players may not fully utilize its potential, leading to missed opportunities and wasted turns.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands both red and generic mana, Dagger Caster can be challenging to accommodate in multicolored decks that are already tight on mana resources, potentially restricting its playability to mono-red or two-color decks with a heavy red focus.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of four mana to summon, this creature’s impact on the game may not always justify its cost, especially when players are looking for spells that can provide immediate board presence or effects at a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Dagger Caster in Your Collection
Versatility: Dagger Caster offers an adaptable role in decks that look to deal with multiple threats at once. Its ability to deal damage to each opponent and each creature your opponents control makes it a valuable asset in broad situations.
Combo Potential: With capabilities that synergize well with cards that double or utilize damage effects, Dagger Caster can be a lynchpin in a powerful combo. Imagine combining it with cards that grant deathtouch to truly clear the board.
Meta-Relevance: In environments heavily populated with token strategies or where small creature swarms are prevalent, Dagger Caster can shift the tide of a game, functioning as an equalizer against such decks.
How to beat
Dagger Caster introduces a unique dynamic to battlefield management in MTG. This rogue creature provides a strategic advantage by dealing one damage to each opponent and each creature your opponents control when it enters the battlefield. This effect can reset the board by wiping out multiple low-toughness creatures at once. It becomes especially lethal when combined with cards like Deadeye Navigator, which allows you to flicker Dagger Caster and reuse its ability.
To tackle Dagger Caster, consider using creature protection strategies. Cards that grant indestructible or provide toughness boosts can help shield your creatures from its damaging entrance. Counterplay cards can also be invaluable. Counterspells, for example, prevent Dagger Caster from ever reaching the battlefield in the first place. Artifact and enchantment-based removal, such as Ixalan’s Binding, can neutralize Dagger Caster without triggering its ability. Moreover, instant-speed removal that can be cast in response to the casting of Dagger Caster also ensures it never gets the opportunity to impact the board. Keeping these strategies in mind can help maintain your side of the battlefield against the potential upheaval Dagger Caster threatens to unleash.
In essence, successful countermeasures against Dagger Caster revolve around preemptive board protection, strategic spell use, and removal options to nullify its effects, safeguarding your creatures’ longevity in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dagger Caster MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Dagger Caster 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 Dagger Caster Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Viktor Titov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-01-25 | Ravnica Allegiance | RNA | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dagger Caster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dagger Caster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-01-25 | In a Two-Headed Giant game, Dagger Caster’s ability causes the opposing team to lose 2 life. |