Freelance Muscle MTG Card

Freelance Muscle accelerates resources and enables instant-speed play, boosting strategic depth. Its specific mana requirements and discard cost may limit its versatility in some decks. It shines in versatile and combo-oriented decks, remaining relevant in varied metagames.
Freelance Muscle - Streets of New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Rhino Warrior
Released2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set nameStreets of New Capenna
Set codeSNC
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number147
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRandy Vargas

Text of card

Whenever Freelance Muscle attacks or blocks, it gets +X/+X until end of turn, where X is the greatest power and/or toughness among other creatures you control.

He never asks why. Just who, when, and where.

Cards like Freelance Muscle

Freelance Muscle has carved out its niche in the vast universe of creature cards available in Magic: The Gathering. Among its counterparts, Loxodon Smiter stands out with its similar mana cost and immunity to being countered. While Loxodon Smiter provides a reliable creature presence, Freelance Muscle brings flexibility to the table with its ability to become hexproof, a feature that Loxodon Smiter does not possess.

Another card worth comparing is Fleecemane Lion, which also has the potential to gain hexproof alongside indestructibility, however it requires a further investment of mana to activate its monstrous ability. Unlike Fleecemane Lion, Freelance Muscle can activate hexproof without additional mana cost, although it doesn’t gain indestructibility. Mystic Enforcer is also in this circle of comparison, transforming into a formidable flyer with threshold whereas Freelance Muscle remains grounded but gains greater resilience against targeted removal.

Deciding between these options hinges on a player’s strategy and the deck’s mechanics. Freelance Muscle, with its intrinsic adaptability, shines for those valuing immediate protection over additional abilities or potential offensive power-ups that come with additional costs or conditions found in similar cards.

Loxodon Smiter - MTG Card versions
Fleecemane Lion - MTG Card versions
Mystic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Smiter - MTG Card versions
Fleecemane Lion - MTG Card versions
Mystic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Freelance Muscle provides card advantage by enabling a strategic sequence of plays that can culminate in drawing extra cards. This leverages game momentum, giving you more options and the upper hand against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The ability of Freelance Muscle to untap lands or artifacts during crucial turns translates into resource acceleration. It allows you to play more spells sooner, outpacing your opponent in resource development.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed, Freelance Muscle offers responsive play. You can adapt to your opponent’s moves, disrupt their strategy, or maximize your own play by using this card at the most opportune moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Freelance Muscle necessitates discarding a card from your hand to harness its abilities. In times when your options are scarce, this prerequisite can hinder your hand’s potential and may force you to part with pivotal cards that could be essential for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that calls for both generic and blue mana, Freelance Muscle is predisposed to be included predominantly in blue-centric or multicolored decks. Players preferring a mono-color deck without blue may find this card outside their strategies, therefore limiting its universality.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost to summon Freelance Muscle could be deemed as steep compared to other creatures in the format. Players might deliberate over its mana efficiency, especially when other cards at a lower cost could offer similar or greater impact on the game’s progress at that stage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Freelance Muscle can seamlessly adapt to various play styles, fitting well into decks that capitalize on creature-based strategies or require beefy blockers.

Combo Potential: The adaptability of Freelance Muscle makes it a great enabler for combos, particularly in decks that exploit creature synergies or utilize tap/untap mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given its robust stats and flexible nature, Freelance Muscle can be a formidable addition against an array of popular deck archetypes, holding its own in a shifting meta.

How to beat

Freelance Muscle emerges as a potent force in the realm of creature cards within MTG, providing players with a formidable body on the battlefield. This card boasts an ability that allows it to grow stronger with each job completed, a unique mechanic that aligns with its gig-economy theme. To outmaneuver this card, it is essential to disrupt the synergy and momentum it seeks to build.

One effective strategy against Freelance Muscle is to utilize removal spells early, before your opponent has the opportunity to tick up its power through successful jobs. Instant-speed removals such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can handle the Muscle before it becomes an insurmountable threat. On the other hand, countering the initial cast with spells like Negate or Mana Leak prevents the creature from ever hitting the board. Employing enchantments like Pacifism or Lignify can neutralize it even if it lands on the battlefield.

Utilizing these tactics can turn the tide against Freelance Muscle, allowing you to maintain control over the game state. In MTG, staying one step ahead of your adversary’s strategies is key, and effective card choices and timing are your best assets in overcoming challenges posed by new and powerful cards like Freelance Muscle.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Freelance Muscle MTG card by a specific set like 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 Freelance Muscle and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Freelance Muscle has restrictions

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