Exit Specialist MTG Card


Exit Specialist - Murders at Karlov Manor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Detective
Abilities Disguise
Released2024-02-09
Set symbol
Set nameMurders at Karlov Manor
Set codeMKM
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number55
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMila Pesic

Key Takeaways

  1. Exit Specialist’s instant speed allows surprise plays, turning the tide of the game.
  2. It demands careful deck building due to its specific mana and discard cost.
  3. The card’s versatility makes it a valuable addition to various MTG decks.

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Exit Specialist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free form86#CS
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro StandardIzzet Aggro~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Exit Specialist MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Exit Specialist and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Exit Specialist can't be blocked by creatures with power 3 or greater. Disguise (You may cast this card face down for as a 2/2 creature with ward . Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.) When Exit Specialist is turned face up, return another target creature to its owner's hand.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Exit Specialist provides a tactical edge by enabling you to return a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand. This disruptive move not only slows down your opponent’s momentum but also offers a recycle of your own enter-the-battlefield effects, multiplying your in-game resources without losing card count.

Resource Acceleration: As the specialist operates, it allows you to potentially unlock your mana resources more efficiently. This is done by clearing the path for your attacks, removing potential blockers or threats, and thus ensuring that you can expand your board presence and strategy without delay.

Instant Speed: The speed at which this card operates is crucial. Being an instant, the Exit Specialist can be used in response to an opponent’s play, catching them off-guard and creating pivotal turning points in the game. The ability to act during either player’s turn injects an element of surprise that can be capitalized on for strategic gains.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Exit Specialist card mandates that you discard another card as part of its casting cost. This can pose a significant disadvantage, especially in the late game or in situations where your hand-size is already limited, potentially leaving you at a resource disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and blue mana to cast, Exit Specialist demands a degree of deck specialization that might not align with all strategies. Players utilizing decks that are not focused on a Dimir (blue and black) color combination may find integrating this card challenging due to mana base restrictions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating its mana cost relative to its impact on the game, Exit Specialist may seem less than optimal. Spending three mana for its specific effect can be a steep price, and there are alternative cards that perform similar functions or provide greater value at a lower mana investment. This could make the card a less favorable choice in competitive deck building where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Exit Specialist in Your Collection

Versatility: Exit Specialist offers a unique function that complements both aggressive and control-oriented playstyles. Its ability to protect your key creatures or disrupt an opponent’s board state makes it a flexible pick for various deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that revolve around enter-the-battlefield effects or sacrifice mechanics. It can serve as a critical piece in intricate combos, potentially leading to game-winning turns.

Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of the meta, Exit Specialist proves useful in matchups where protecting your assets or selectively removing threats is crucial. Its presence can tilt the scales in your favor during critical board states.


How to beat

The Exit Specialist card is known for its unique ability to influence the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. To effectively outmaneuver this card, strategic adaptation in one’s deck building and gameplay is essential. Utilizing removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed ensures that Exit Specialist does not disrupt your plans by returning your permanents to your hand when you least expect it. Moreover, employing counterspells to prevent Exit Specialist from resolving in the first place can save you a significant amount of trouble.

Another approach to take on this card is to increase the redundancy of your key spells. By having multiple copies of important cards, the disadvantage of bouncing one to your hand is minimized. Cards like Shock and Lightning Bolt are useful for directly removing the Exit Specialist from the field, preventing its ability from triggering in the first place. A well-timed board wipe such as Wrath of God or Damnation can also serve as an efficient method to clear the board of not only Exit Specialist but other problematic creatures as well.

Overall, defeating the Exit Specialist card involves incorporating versatile instant-speed removal, counterspells, and ensuring that your deck can consistently pull off its game plan even when facing this disruptive entity.


Cards like Exit Specialist

Exit Specialist finds its niche in the realm of creature-focused control cards within Magic: The Gathering. This unique card echoes the dynamics of cards like Man-o’-War, which allow players to return a creature to its owner’s hand. What distinguishes Exit Specialist is its aftermarket effect, a trait not shared with Man-o’-War. The Aftermath ability, normally seen on spells, adds versatility in later turns.

Compared to other cards like Aether Adept or Exclusion Mage, Exit Specialist holds its ground. Aether Adept and Exclusion Mage also bounce creatures upon entry. However, Exit Specialist edges them out with the additional late-game benefit. Where Aether Adept and Exclusion Mage offer immediate but singular effects, Exit Specialist has the potential to affect the board twice, albeit at a higher mana cost for its aftermath part. At the same time, Aether Adept and Exclusion Mage provide more predictable outcomes at lower mana costs, emphasizing early game presence over Exit Specialist’s future play potential.

In analyzing the value among these creature bounce cards, Exit Specialist stands out for its dual-phase capability, offering MTG tacticians a strategic tool for controlling opponents’ creatures while planning ahead for subsequent moves.

Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions
Exclusion Mage - MTG Card versions
Man-o'-War - MTG Card versions
Aether Adept - MTG Card versions
Exclusion Mage - MTG Card versions

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Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Lord of Atlantis - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Sage - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Exit Specialist has restrictions

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