Duergar Assailant MTG Card


Duergar Assailant - Eventide
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Dwarf Soldier
Released2008-07-25
Set symbol
Set nameEventide
Set codeEVE
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number136
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byPaul Bonner

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers deterrence against early-game creatures through its strategic first strike capability.
  2. Low mana cost enables efficient resource management and board control.
  3. Instant speed ability acts as a surprise defensive mechanism during combat.

Text of card

Sacrifice Duergar Assailant: Duergar Assailant deals 1 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

Some duergars dismiss the world above as a fable. They react violently when their comfortable illusions are dispelled.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though it doesn’t directly let you draw cards, Duergar Assailant offers strategic advantage by acting as a deterrent against one-toughness creatures, keeping your opponent’s board in check.

Resource Acceleration: While Duergar Assailant isn’t a card that accelerates your resources in a traditional sense, its low mana cost enables you to deploy more threats or hold up mana for other plays, efficiently using your resources each turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to destroy a creature that has dealt damage to Duergar Assailant can be used defensively at instant speed, offering a surprise factor that can shift the tide of smaller skirmishes on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Duergar Assailant lacks such a requirement, but for players looking at other cards, this could be an area of critique, particularly in aggressive decks where each card in hand is precious for maintaining board presence and momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: While Duergar Assailant requires only red and generic mana, it’s fixed to a color that may not align with all strategies. Being a red creature, it slots specifically into red-centered or multicolored decks, potentially excluding it from mono-colored decks of a different hue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its ability to destroy a blocking creature, Duergar Assailant’s mana cost is a point of contention when matched against other one-drop creatures that may offer more utility or power. In a format where efficiency is key, the mana invested in Duergar Assailant may not offer the same level of return when compared to other one-mana creatures in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Duergar Assailant offers a reliable solution for decks aiming to control early-game board states. Its flexibility to act both as an attacker and a first strike defender makes it a solid choice for decks that need to establish presence or protect valuable assets on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Although Duergar Assailant is straightforward in its application, its ability to deliver first strike damage can synergize effectively with equipment, auras, or abilities that capitalize on combat advantages. This increases its utility in decks designed around such synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive creature strategies are prevalent, Duergar Assailant can serve as a cost-effective method for deterring attackers and maintaining a board state conducive to your strategy. Its place in the meta depends on the current prevalence of early creature combat and the value of quick, efficient defenders.


How to beat

Duergar Assailant may seem like a minor threat in the world of Magic: The Gathering given its modest stats. However, this diminutive warrior poses a latent threat with its ability to destroy attacking or blocking creatures. Addressing the Assailant requires a strategic approach akin to handling utility creatures that may not win the game alone but can hinder your plan significantly.

One effective strategy is to neutralize the Assailant before it becomes a blocker. Removing it early with a cheap removal spell can prevent its damaging effect. Spells with a low mana cost, especially those that don’t require you to tap out, allow you to maintain tempo and shield your vital creatures from its ability.

Another tactic is to outpace the Assailant with aggressive strategies. Swarm the battlefield with numerous creatures to overload its capacity to block and use its ability. If your deck can withstand a one-for-one trade, you can often ignore the Assailant, focusing on diminishing your opponent’s life total swiftly before the Assailant’s ability impacts the board state significantly.

Ultimately, while Duergar Assailant may require a specific response, understanding its role in your opponent’s strategy and addressing it efficiently can ensure it becomes a minor obstacle in your path to victory.


Cards like Duergar Assailant

Duergar Assailant is a modest yet versatile card in the Magic: The Gathering landscape, similar to other low-cost creatures designed for early defensive plays. It shares characteristics with cards like Goblin Piker and Raging Goblin. These cards are all low mana cost creatures, making them accessible from the beginning of the game. What sets Duergar Assailant apart is its first strike ability, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike.

Looking at another comparable card, Elite Vanguard, we find a creature with higher attack power but without the strategic first strike ability. The Duergar Assailant excels by being a defensive choice that can potentially take down stronger creatures in combat without being destroyed due to its first strike advantage. Additionally, it can be a useful deterrent against aggressive early creatures from your opponent.

In summary, while there are several creatures in Magic: The Gathering that mirror the Duergar Assailant’s early game presence, it is the unique combination of low cost and first strike that can provide critical early defense and control against faster paced opponents.

Goblin Piker - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Elite Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Goblin Piker - Portal Second Age (P02)
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)
Elite Vanguard - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Duergar Assailant by color, type and mana cost

Figure of Destiny - MTG Card versions
Boros Recruit - MTG Card versions
Priest of Iroas - MTG Card versions
Firehoof Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Town Gossipmonger // Incited Rabble - MTG Card versions
Figure of Destiny - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Boros Recruit - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Priest of Iroas - Theros (THS)
Firehoof Cavalry - The List (PLST)
Town Gossipmonger // Incited Rabble - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duergar Assailant MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Duergar Assailant and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Duergar Assailant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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