Deputized Protester MTG Card

Generates card advantage by creating Clue tokens when blocked, offering strategic depth and deck penetration. Clue tokens can be banked for later, providing indirect resource acceleration and strategic play possibilities. Sacrificing Clue tokens at instant speed adds flexibility and can optimize mana usage during various game phases.

Deputized Protester - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
2016-08-26 - Number 51

Deputized Protester - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)

Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
2024-02-23 - Number 131

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Abilities	Melee,Menace
Power	2
Toughness	1

Text of card

Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.) Melee (Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each opponent you attacked with a creature this combat.)

Butcher's training, warrior's heart.

Cards like Deputized Protester

Deputized Protester makes its mark in MTG as a creature card with a penchant for causing trouble on the battlefield. It stands tall alongside other creatures with the Menace ability, such as Goblin Smuggler, which also makes blocking a headache for your opponent. However, Deputized Protester sets itself apart with its offering of using energy counters to grow stronger, unlike the Goblin Smuggler that lacks this form of adaptability.

In the same sphere of disruptive creatures, we encounter the likes of Raging Goblin. Although not equipped with Menace, this feisty little creature offers immediate impact with its haste ability, allowing it to swing into action without a waiting period. Conversely, Deputized Protester requires some setup to truly become an agile threat.

Considering all aspects, Deputized Protester presents a flexible option for players who value the potential for growth and tactical board presence. It’s a unique contender that, while measured against the likes of Goblin Smuggler and Raging Goblin, offers its own distinct advantages on the MTG battlefield.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deputized Protester offers a way to potentially turn each combat into card advantage. With its ability to investigate when it becomes blocked, it allows players to draw a card later by sacrificing the Clue token. This process helps to dig deeper into the deck, providing the player with more options and increasing the likelihood of drawing into key cards or answers. The consistent card draw can keep a player’s hand full, maintaining pressure and momentum throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, the Clue tokens generated by Deputized Protester can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration. The tokens themselves can be banked and cracked later for critical card draws, effectively smoothing a player’s mana curve by providing alternative uses for mana at different stages of the game. Additionally, synergies with artifacts or tokens may further enhance the value of Clue tokens within certain deck themes, adding layers of utility and strategy.

Instant Speed: Interactions at instant speed add depth to any MTG strategy. While Deputized Protester itself may not be an instant, being able to activate the ability to sacrifice Clue tokens generated by its effect at instant speed grants flexibility. This allows players to optimize their mana usage and make decisions based on the evolving game state, keeping opponents guessing and maximizing efficiency during both their own and their opponent’s turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Deputized Protester’s ability, players must discard a card, potentially depleting valuable hand resources. This can often put players at a disadvantage, particularly if they are already contending with a depleted hand and are in need of maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Deputized Protester features a mana cost that necessitates both red and white mana, restricting it primarily to Boros or multi-colored decks. This can hinder its inclusion in decks that don’t support these specific mana requirements, reducing its overall versatility in deck-building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side for its creature type and abilities, Deputized Protester may not be the most mana-efficient option available. In competitive play, where mana efficiency is paramount, the card could be overshadowed by other options that offer more impact for the same, or lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Deputized Protester is a flexible card that can slot into a variety of decks. Its power to signal your political stand in a game, paired with its ability to blend into aggro and midrange strategies, makes it an adaptable pick for multiple plays.

Combo Potential: With an innate menace to avoid being easily blocked, Deputized Protester works well with cards that capitalize on unblocked creatures. It presents opportunities to build upon combat tricks or power-boosting auras to amplify its threat level.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Deputized Protester excels. The card’s efficiency in dealing with multiple blockers and its synergy with contemporary protest-themed decks places it squarely in the center of current meta discussions.

How to Beat Deputized Protester

Deputized Protester makes its mark in MTG as a card that can be formidable in the right scenario. It might not be as straightforward to handle as some may think. One of the most effective strategies to overcome this card lies in removal spells that can bypass its abilities. Direct damage spells or those that can target multiple creatures at once can be particularly useful. This allows a player to avoid Deputized Protester’s potential combat tricks and take it off the board before it can cause significant impact.

Additionally, employing flying or reach creatures gives an edge over Deputized Protester, as it does not have flying itself. These types of creatures can block it effectively or, better yet, apply pressure by attacking your opponent from above. Another tip is to monitor your opponent’s mana and play around the Protester’s activated abilities – knowing when it’s safe to strike and when to hold back is key in outmaneuvering it.

Keep in mind the current meta and main deck-building strategies can also dictate the effectiveness of Deputized Protester. Staying informed and adapting your game plan can ensure that this card doesn’t catch you off guard during play. Playing smartly around it can turn the tables and secure your victory on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deputized Protester MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown 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 Deputized Protester and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deputized Protester Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Lius Lasahido.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-08-26	Conspiracy: Take the Crown	CN2		51	2015	Normal	Black	Lius Lasahido
2	2024-02-23	Ravnica: Clue Edition	CLU		131	2015	Normal	Black	Lius Lasahido

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deputized Protester has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Deputized Protester card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2016-08-23	Creatures that enter the battlefield attacking were never declared as attackers, so they won’t count toward melee’s effect. Similarly, if a creature with melee enters the battlefield attacking, melee won’t trigger.
2016-08-23	It doesn’t matter how many creatures you attacked a player with, only that you attacked a player with at least one creature. For example, if you attack one player with Wings of the Guard and another player with five creatures, Wings of the Guard will get +2/+2 until end of turn.
2016-08-23	Melee will trigger if the creature with melee attacks a planeswalker. However, the effect counts only opponents (and not planeswalkers) that you attacked with a creature when determining the bonus.
2016-08-23	You determine the size of the bonus as the melee ability resolves. Count each opponent that you attacked with one or more creatures. It doesn’t matter if the attacking creatures are still attacking or even if they are still on the battlefield. It also doesn’t matter if the opponent you attacked is still in the game.