Keymaster Rogue MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 39
2024-01-12 - Number 47
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Keymaster Rogue offers card advantage by reusing enter-the-battlefield effects of other creatures.
- The Rogue’s cost-to-power balance aids in efficient mana and board resource utilization.
- Combines well with instant-speed spells for dynamic and unforeseeable play sequences.
Text of card
Keymaster Rogue is unblockable. When Keymaster Rogue enters the battlefield, return a creature you control to its owner's hand.
"This one opens the grate outside Zelzo Base. This one is for Ismeri Library. This one is for an invisible door . . . No, I've said too much."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Keymaster Rogue card is a crafty choice for sneaking extra cards into your hand. By utilizing its unique ability to return a creature you control to your hand, you can re-trigger enter-the-battlefield effects, essentially gaining more value from cards you’ve already played.
Resource Acceleration: Keymaster Rogue helps streamline your mana resources by offering a balance of cost to power. While it does not directly generate mana or tokens, it can clear the path for smoother plays. With thoughtful execution, the Rogue enables more efficient use of your existing board, which is a subtle but impactful form of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: While Keymaster Rogue itself isn’t an instant, it pairs exceptionally well with other instant-speed spells in your deck. By returning a creature to your hand, you open up mana and opportunities to cast those clutch instant spells. This synergy offers flexible and dynamic playstyles that can keep opponents on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Keymaster Rogue demands that you return another creature to your hand to cast it, effectively a form of self-inflicted card disadvantage. This can be particularly cumbersome when you’re trying to establish or maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and generic mana, Keymaster Rogue can be tricky to cast on curve, especially in multicolor decks where mana flexibility is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of four for a creature that offers no immediate board impact, Keymaster Rogue sits at a higher end of the curve, potentially making it a less attractive option compared to other four-drop creatures or spells that could sway the game more significantly upon entry.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Keymaster Rogue from the Magic the Gathering universe is a flexible asset to various deck types, offering tactical evasion with its unblockable trait, making it a prime choice for decks that capitalize on direct player damage or that have synergies with creatures that can’t be blocked.
Combo Potential: This Rogue can return another target creature you own to your hand, weaving seamlessly into combos that exploit enter-the-battlefield effects or need repeated casting of creatures for incremental value.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where static board states are common, Keymaster Rogue’s ability to repeatedly swoop in unobstructed can tip the scales, making it a noteworthy consideration for gameplay that rewards consistent pressure on an opponent’s life total.
How to beat Keymaster Rogue
Keymaster Rogue presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its unblockable nature and the return-a-creature mechanic. This elusive card can consistently avoid defenders and deliver a steady flow of damage to opponents. However, countering Keymaster Rogue typically involves indirect strategies since it can’t be blocked. Removal spells that don’t require targeting an attacking or blocking creature, such as board wipes or kill spells like Doom Blade, can effectively dispatch Keymaster Rogue from the field.
Another effective strategy is to use cards that can destroy or exile regardless of the Rogue’s unblockable status. Instant-speed removals like Path to Exile or versatility offered by Oblivion Ring allow players to handle the Rogue during the owner’s turn before they declare an attacker. Another angle to consider is preventing it from entering the battlefield in the first place through countermagic; spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can be key to preserving your life total against such elusive threats.
It’s also possible to turn the Rogue’s return-a-creature ability to your advantage by ensuring your opponent has a beneficial creature on the battlefield they wouldn’t want to return. This makes the decision to play the Rogue riskier and can disrupt their board presence or combo setup. Lastly, improving your deck’s speed to overpower the opponent before Keymaster Rogue’s impact is felt could also turn the tides in your favor.
Cards like Keymaster Rogue
Exploring the thieving expertise of Keymaster Rogue within the world of Magic: The Gathering reveals its distinctive ability to unsummon another creature as it enters the battlefield, much like the effect seen in cards such as Man-o’-War. However, unlike Man-o’-War, Keymaster Rogue focuses on returning a creature you control, making it a strategic pick for decks that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield triggers.
Neurok Invisimancer shares similarities with Keymaster Rogue, granting unblockability the turn it enters play. Although Keymaster Rogue doesn’t inherently possess this same unblockability, it does offer tactical flexibility with its four power and evasion mechanism. Another comrade in tactics is the beloved Elder Deep-Fiend, which, while not sharing the rogue’s unsummoning technique, offers a powerful tap-down effect upon its emergence – a sort of tempo play akin to that provided by Keymaster Rogue’s self-bounce synergy.
In summary, while there are various creatures in Magic: The Gathering with abilities that echo the utility of Keymaster Rogue, its unique combination of self-bounce and evasiveness positions it as a nuanced option for players looking to creatively leverage their own creature base.
Cards similar to Keymaster Rogue by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Keymaster Rogue MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Keymaster Rogue and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Keymaster Rogue Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 39 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson | |
| 2 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Winona Nelson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Keymaster Rogue has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Keymaster Rogue card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-01-24 | Keymaster Rogue’s last ability isn’t optional. If Keymaster Rogue is the only creature you control when the ability resolves, you’ll have to return it to its owner’s hand. |
