Darkblade Agent MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Assassin |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 164 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Joe Slucher |
Key Takeaways
- Darkblade Agent rewards players for utilizing the surveil mechanic, enhancing both offense and defense.
- Its specific mana cost can challenge deck diversity but reinforces focused two-color strategies.
- The agent’s abilities are potent, yet balanced by conditional activation and competitive card alternatives.
Text of card
As long as you've surveilled this turn, Darkblade Agent has deathtouch and "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card."
"I've seen your house, and you've been a lovely, if unwitting, host. But at last it's time for farewells."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Darkblade Agent shines by potentially offering steady card advantage. When it becomes surveilled, the ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player is activated, keeping your hand stocked and ready for action.
Resource Acceleration: Although this agent doesn’t generate additional mana, it synergizes well with decks focusing on the surveil mechanic, enabling a faster and smoother draw to the resources you need. This efficient use of available cards can effectively speed up your game plan.
Instant Speed: Darkblade Agent itself may not have flash, but it rewards you for playing other instant-speed surveil cards. By casting these cards during your opponent’s turn, Darkblade Agent can gain deathtouch, making it a formidable blocker or an aggressive threat that can’t be easily ignored on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Darkblade Agent’s abilities, a player must have surveilled this turn, which sometimes means discarding other potential plays to keep the agent powered up. Balancing the need to surveil against maintaining a strong hand can present a tricky challenge, especially in tight situations.
Specific Mana Cost: Darkblade Agent demands a precise mana setup of one blue, one black, and one generic mana. This prerequisite can be restrictive as it compels deck builders to focus on a two-color base, potentially limiting the card’s adaptability and use in a variety of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a three mana value for a 2/3 body, Darkblade Agent’s stats and abilities may not always match up favorably against other options. For example, players might find that other cards at a similar mana cost offer immediate impact or have less conditional abilities, making them more consistently valuable in gameplay.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Darkblade Agent is a flexible addition to any deck that leverages the surveil mechanic, effortlessly fitting into Dimir (blue-black) strategies that focus on information control and hand disruption.
Combo Potential: When paired with other cards that enable surveil, Darkblade Agent becomes a consistent threat with its ability to become elusive and difficult for opponents to block, while also drawing a card when dealing combat damage.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where information is king, Darkblade Agent shines by maintaining card advantage and board presence, making it a savvy pick against decks that struggle to handle creatures with deathtouch.
How to beat
Darkblade Agent is a unique creature in MTG that thrives in a deck filled with the surveil mechanic, granting it deathtouch and the ability to draw a card when it deals combat damage to a player if you’ve surveiled this turn. To counteract this agent’s advantages, removing it before combat or negating its combat damage is key. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push are effective at removing it before it can become a threat. Alternatively, preventing it from dealing combat damage through blockers or spells like Fog can nullify its card-drawing ability.
Another strategy is to limit the surveil opportunities for your opponent, thereby reducing the chances of Darkblade Agent gaining deathtouch. Counterspells such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto can disrupt your opponent’s game plan when they rely on surveil-triggered abilities. Lastly, keep pressure on your opponent and force them to defend rather than attack with Darkblade Agent, making it less effective as an offensive tool and more as a liability.
Understanding the interactions and timing is critical when facing cards like Darkblade Agent. Balance your play between offense and smart removal, and you’ll minimize the impact this agent can have on the game.
Cards like Darkblade Agent
Darkblade Agent finds its niche among creatures that excel in both combat and card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. Much like its Dimir operative counterpart, Nightveil Sprite, the Agent also taps into the power of surveil, but with a slant towards direct combat benefits. Where Nightveil Sprite allows you to survey the top card of your library whenever it attacks, Darkblade Agent demands a more condition-bound approach, needing you to have surveilled this turn to become a potent threat.
Another comrade in strategy is Whisper Agent. While lacking the card advantage mechanic, this shadowy figure compensates with flash, providing surprise and flexibility. It offers an immediate surveil upon entering the battlefield, potentially enhancing the Agent’s capability the turn it’s played. Similarly, Dimir Spybug can capitalize on the constant surveil theme, growing in threat with each intelligence-gathering action. Unlike Darkblade Agent, however, the Spybug doesn’t offer card draw nor protect itself with deathtouch.
Assessing these options, Darkblade Agent stands out for its ability to become a major board presence replete with card draw, enhancing the resolve of any Dimir-themed deck that leverages the multifaceted act of surveilling each turn.
Cards similar to Darkblade Agent by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Darkblade Agent MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Darkblade Agent 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Darkblade Agent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
