Frogkin Kidnapper MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 42
2021-08-20 - Number 42
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Frog Rogue |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, target opponent reveals their hand. Choose a nonland card from it. Ransom that card. (Exile it. Its owner may pay at any time to return it to their hand.)
Cards like Frogkin Kidnapper
Frogkin Kidnapper joins the ranks of quirky utility creatures within Magic: The Gathering, stepping into the realm of cards known for their ability to disrupt opponents’ plans. Akin to the notorious Ice-Fang Coatl, the Frogkin Kidnapper can also influence the battlefield with its unique set of skills. While Coatl provides card draw and has deathtouch provided you control enough snow permanents, Frogkin Kidnapper takes a different angle by temporarily exiling an opponent’s spell, setting back their strategy.
Another card worthy of comparison is Spell Queller. Both Frogkin Kidnapper and Spell Queller can exile spells, but Spell Queller operates at instant speed and can target any spell with converted mana cost four or less, without needing to connect with an opponent first. However, the Kidnapper offers a new dimension being able to swing directly at your opponent’s hand, indicative of the continuous evolution of control elements in the game.
Assessing these counterparts, Frogkin Kidnapper certainly holds its ground. It’s a card that demands attention for its potential to significantly alter the course of a match by kidnapping crucial spells right from your adversary’s grips, a trait that not only adds strategic depth but also injects an entertaining twist into MTG’s ever-diversifying environment.
Cards similar to Frogkin Kidnapper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Frogkin Kidnapper gives players an edge by potentially stealing an opponent’s creature, which could lead not only to a shift in board presence but also to an unexpected gain in your card utility, subtly tipping the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: With the abducted creature under your control, Frogkin Kidnapper can serve as an improvised form of resource acceleration. You might leverage the new addition to speed up your plays or enhance your battlefield without spending extra mana on deploying another creature from your hand.
Instant Speed: This card’s ability to act at instant speed adds a layer of complexity and surprise to your strategy. It allows you to adapt fluidly to the ever-changing dynamics of a match. By waiting for the opportune moment to whip out Frogkin Kidnapper, you’re able to disrupt your opponent’s plans at a critical juncture, potentially on their own turn, which can swing momentum drastically in your direction.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Frogkin Kidnapper necessitates the discarding of a card as part of its casting cost. This demand can be burdensome for players, especially when facing a shortage of cards in hand, potentially forcing the sacrifice of vital resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Frogkin Kidnapper is confined to a particular color combination which can be challenging to accommodate in multicolored decks. This requirement might restrict the card’s versatility and integration into a wide array of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be perceived as steep for the effects it provides, some players might find Frogkin Kidnapper less desirable compared to alternative options in the same mana range offering superior board impact or cost-efficiency.
Reasons to Include Frogkin Kidnapper in Your Collection
Versatility: Frogkin Kidnapper offers flexibility in deck building, providing both a creature and a control element that can disrupt opponent plays. Its ability to snatch an opponent’s card for a turn can be useful in a variety of situations.
Combo Potential: This card has excellent synergy with decks that capitalize on temporarily gaining control of opponent’s cards. It can also work well with sacrifice outlets or effects that benefit from having additional creatures on the field, even if just for a moment.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where hand advantage is crucial, Frogkin Kidnapper holds its ground. It can be a timely answer to shifts in the meta, particularly against decks that rely heavily on combo pieces or specific spells.
How to beat
The Frogkin Kidnapper is quite the slippery card to contend with in MTG, offering tactical advantages to control decks. The Kidnapper operates by disrupting opponent’s strategies through its kidnapper ability, temporarily exiling creatures they grab. Yet, there’s a reliable strategy to neutralize this pesky amphibian’s impact on the battlefield.
Direct removal spells are your first line of defense; they’re both effective and ubiquitous across all formats. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile can swiftly deal with the Kidnapper before it starts causing real trouble. In circumstances where you can predict the opponent’s intention to play the Frogkin Kidnapper, counterspells are an excellent preemptive strike, ensuring it never hits the board to begin with. Lastly, when the Kidnapper is already active, having creature-based abilities that can be activated from your hand or graveyard can circumvent the Kidnapper’s effect, reducing the card’s potential disruption.
Ultimately, while the Frogkin Kidnapper offers a unique control element, a well-planned response with the right cards and timing can ensure it doesn’t hinder your path to victory in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Frogkin Kidnapper MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Frogkin Kidnapper and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Frogkin Kidnapper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Mark Heggen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Heggen | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Heggen |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Frogkin Kidnapper card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | Pay no attention to any other card in this set using the word “ransom” when determining how Frogkin Kidnapper’s ability works. |
| 2019-11-12 | Paying to get a ransomed card back is a special action. The card’s owner may pay that cost any time they have priority, and players can’t take actions in between the time the player announces their intent to pay and the time the card returns to the zone from which it came. |
| 2019-11-12 | The exiled card’s owner may pay its ransom cost even if the permanent that ransomed it leaves the battlefield. |