Gilt-Blade Prowler MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 86
2021-08-26 - Number 332
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
, , Pay 1 life: Draw a card. Activate only if you've discarded a card this turn.
"Let's just say my people are in the business of capital acquisition and intellectual property speculation." —Er-Miral
Cards like Gilt-Blade Prowler
Gilt-Blade Prowler introduces a refined twist on the hand disruption mechanic in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards such as Thoughtseize or Duress, which are staples for stripping opponents of key cards. The Prowler, though, offers a broader stroke by potentially hitting any nonland card, not just those centered around particular types or high-cost spells.
When comparing Gilt-Blade Prowler to Kitesail Freebooter, we find both cards have the potential to disrupt opponent strategies. Kitesail Freebooter can snatch noncreature, nonland cards but only those with a converted mana cost of 3 or less, whereas the Prowler’s restriction is solely on nonland cards, making it a more flexible choice in certain decks.
Another notable parallel is with Brain Maggot. Both creatures allow you to look at an opponent’s hand and exile a card, but the Prowler boasts a more robust body, making it a better option for presence on the board. When considering these selections, Gilt-Blade Prowler certainly holds its ground with a combination of disruption and board presence, making it a worthwhile consideration for players seeking to enhance their disruptive strategy.
Cards similar to Gilt-Blade Prowler by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Gilt-Blade Prowler offers unique deck filtering abilities, providing you with the opportunity to sift through the top cards of your library, choosing just the right tool for the current game state. This adaptability can often translate into a compelling form of card advantage, as it elevates the quality of your hand through careful selection.
Resource Acceleration: While Gilt-Blade Prowler itself may not directly generate additional resources, its role in smoothing out your draws can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By helping you consistently make land drops or find the necessary mana-fixing cards, it ensures you can deploy your threats and answers more efficiently over the course of a match.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Gilt-Blade Prowler’s ability at instant speed grants you tremendous flexibility. You can end your opponent’s turn by improving your upcoming draw, or hold up mana to react to their plays with instant-speed spells. This versatility allows for more strategic depth and decision-making, which can be instrumental in clinching victories.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Gilt-Blade Prowler’s ability necessitates that a player discards a card, which may be a significant setback when hand size is already depleted or when the discarded card could be crucial for upcoming plays.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirement for Gilt-Blade Prowler involves both black and blue mana, making it less flexible and potentially challenging to cast on curve in multi-colored decks not specifically tailored to accommodate its mana needs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other creatures and spells in the metagame offering similar or greater value for less mana, Gilt-Blade Prowler’s mana cost may be considered steep for the tempo and utility it brings to the table.
Reasons to Include Gilt-Blade Prowler in Your Collection
Versatility: Gilt-Blade Prowler is a multi-faceted card that can slide into various decks. As a creature with a solid power-to-mana-cost ratio, it can provide both offensive and defensive advantages no matter the situation on the board.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to grant you perfect information about your opponent’s hand when boosted is invaluable. Pairing it with cards that capitalize on hand knowledge can be a game-changer, offering an unexpected synergy within tactical plays.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that fluctuates, having a card that can tackle different strategies and archetypes is essential. Gilt-Blade Prowler fits well within a variety of environments, and its ability to adapt to ever-changing game dynamics increases its worth within your array of strategies.
How to beat Gilt-Blade Prowler
Gilt-Blade Prowler introduces an intriguing dynamic to creature combat within the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. This shadowy figure can be a real nuisance, mainly due to its hexproof ability, which shields it from targeted spells or abilities your opponents control. To outmaneuver this elusive adversary, switching tactics is essential. One effective strategy is deploying board wipes — these are spells that can clear the field without targeting individual creatures, thus bypassing the hexproof shield of Gilt-Blade Prowler.
Mass removal cards like Wrath of God or Damnation offer a clean slate by destroying all creatures. Another angle is to use spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, as these do not target either, circumventing the hexproof barrier. Cards such as Liliana of the Veil or Diabolic Edict are prime examples that can apply this pressure. Alternatively, employing creatures with global effects, such as Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, can diminish a prowler’s impact by reducing its power and toughness indirectly.
Understanding and utilizing these methods gives you a solid defense against Gilt-Blade Prowler’s stealthy tactics. In this vein, adapting your deck to include such responses can turn the tide in your favor, showcasing the depth and strategy involved in Magic: The Gathering deck-building and gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Gilt-Blade Prowler MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Gilt-Blade Prowler and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Gilt-Blade Prowler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Evyn Fong.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 86 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 332 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Gilt-Blade Prowler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |