Futurist Operative MTG Card
2022-02-18 - Number 333
2022-02-18 - Number 53
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Ninja |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
As long as Futurist Operative is tapped, it's a Human Citizen with base power and toughness 1/1 and can't be blocked. : Untap Futurist Operative.
Cards like Futurist Operative
Futurist Operative is an intriguing spy on the scene for those delving into the stealth tactics of MTG. Its ability to become unblockable this turn for three mana places it in a unique league of elusive creatures. Notably akin to Slippery Scoundrel, which can gain unblockable status when you have the city’s blessing, Futurist Operative doesn’t require a specific board state to slip past defenders.
Then there’s Mist-Cloaked Herald, a creature consistently unblockable yet less versatile compared to our Operative. While the Herald is a great early game play, Futurist Operative offers late-game adaptability by controlling when it becomes unblockable. Phantom Ninja is another similar card, but unlike Futurist Operative, it doesn’t provide the same flexibility since it’s always unblockable and can’t partake in other combat tactics.
Assessing their capacity for surprise, Futurist Operative shines with its on-demand unblockability, striking a balance between persistent threat and flexible strategy. Its position is indeed notable among MTG’s rogue gallery of untouchable creatures, offering players tactical leverage right when it matters.
Cards similar to Futurist Operative by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Many players appreciate the card advantage provided by the Futurist Operative. Its unique ability to potentially exile the top card of each player’s library can offer both insight into an opponent’s strategy and a way to utilize additional resources. By manipulating the flow of cards, players can strengthen their positions and outpace their opponents in resource allocation.
Resource Acceleration: The resource acceleration that the Futurist Operative grants can be a game-changer, especially in formats where tempo plays a significant role. Being able to sift through the library rapidly and possibly play an additional land gives a strategic edge. This not only leads to faster development of your board state but also opens up avenues for more powerful plays earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed offers a strategic depth that cannot be understated. As with this card, acting on an opponent’s turn can provide significant tactical advantages. It allows players to fully use their mana every turn, keeping opponents guessing and forcing them to consider the possibility of instant-speed interactions. This can potentially disrupt an adversary’s strategy or enable surprise counters to imminent threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks when tapping into Futurist Operative’s abilities is the need to discard a card. This might cause a strain on your hand, leaving you with fewer options for your next plays. Managing resources is crucial in MTG and having to relinquish a card might not always be aligned with your strategy, especially if your hand is already stretched thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Futurist Operative demands a particular mana combination to cast, which could pose a hurdle in decks that are not optimized for its specific mana needs. This might not synergize well with decks that have a diversified mana base or those that heavily rely on other colors, potentially making it a less versatile choice for multi-color deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting Futurist Operative comes with a notable investment of mana. Given its mana value, players might find other cards in the same cost bracket that offer more immediate impact or longer-term value, which could make the inclusion of this card in a deck less appealing when considering your mana curve and overall deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include Futurist Operative in Your Collection
Versatility: Futurist Operative can be a valuable asset in decks that are designed around subtlety and evasion. Its ability to become unblockable ensures it can infiltrate the toughest defenses, making it fit comfortably into various blue-based strategies.
Combo Potential: This crafty operative synergizes well with cards that interact with tapped or untapped creatures, as well as those that benefit from card draw or hand manipulation, potentially enabling powerful combo plays that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Given that many competitive decks focus on establishing board control, Futurist Operative can remain relevant by bypassing creature standoffs and maintaining a consistent level of threat, all while contributing to control or tempo plans prominent in the current meta.
How to beat Futurist Operative
Futurist Operative is a unique card that can pose a challenge on the MTG battlefield due to its elusive nature. This creature often comes equipped with abilities that make it hard to target, leaving opponents scrambling for answers. When facing this stealthy card, the key strategy you should employ involves utilizing removal spells or abilities that affect multiple targets or the entire board, thus bypassing its protection.
Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can successfully clear the field without having to target individual creatures. On the other hand, spells like Doom Blade or Murder, which target a single creature, might falter against Futurist Operative’s defensive capabilities. Instead, cards creating global effects such as Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, can indirectly deal with the Operative without needing to target it directly.
Moreover, combating Futurist Operative effectively requires planning. Consider holding onto those board-affecting spells until the Operative arrives. Timing is crucial, as preemptive action without a clear target can leave you vulnerable. Always ensure to adjust your strategy depending on the opponent’s deck and the current state of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Futurist Operative MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Futurist Operative and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Futurist Operative Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 333 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clover.K | |
| 2 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 53 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justine Cruz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Futurist Operative has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Futurist Operative card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-02-18 | Effects that set a creature's power, toughness, or creature types will be applied in timestamp order. The timestamp of Futurist Operative's first ability is when it entered the battlefield, not when it became tapped. Notably, this means the ability will not overwrite any effects that set its power and toughness to specific numbers after it entered the battlefield. Effects that otherwise modify its power and toughness will still apply no matter when they took effect. The same is true for +1/+1 counters. |
| 2022-02-18 | Untapping Futurist Operative once it's been declared as an attacker won't remove it from combat. |