Thieving Otter MTG Card


Thieving Otter - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Otter
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number69
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJakub Kasper

Key Takeaways

  1. Thieving Otter excels in card advantage by rewarding successful attacks with more options for the player.
  2. It can fit into various strategies, offering both resource acceleration and synergy with instant-speed spells.
  3. The card’s specific mana cost and need to deal damage make strategic deck construction and play crucial.

Text of card

Whenever Thieving Otter deals damage to an opponent, draw a card.

"You're telling me we spent a year securing the sanctuary against pterosaurs, rambeasts, and nightfangs . . . and we were robbed by what?" —Endris, Drannith magistrate


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thieving Otter has an ability that lets you draw a card whenever it deals damage to an opponent, effectively replenishing your hand and giving you more options as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana, the card advantage Thieving Otter offers can lead to drawing into additional land or ramp spells, indirectly accelerating your resources.

Instant Speed: While Thieving Otter itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with instant speed spells that can clear the way for its attacks or protect it, thus facilitating its damage-triggered draw ability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thieving Otter comes with the prerequisite of needing to connect with an opponent to trigger its draw ability. This can be challenging, especially when facing decks with robust creature defenses.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both blue and generic mana to cast, which can potentially restrict its integration into multi-colored decks that are not heavily invested in blue mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 creature, Thieving Otter might not provide the most cost-effective creature option available. Many players may opt for creatures with stronger abilities or stats for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Thieving Otter in Your Collection

Versatility: Thieving Otter offers flexibility as a low-cost creature that can easily slip into a variety of blue-centered decks. Its ability to draw a card upon dealing damage to an opponent makes it an excellent addition to strategies aiming to maintain card advantage.

Combo Potential: This card has great synergy with mechanics that enable unblockable attacks or increase the number of draws. Those running cards that buff or grant evasion to creatures can certainly capitalize on Thieving Otter’s potential to enhance card draw engines and other interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where slower, control-oriented games are prevalent, having a consistent card draw can be a significant edge. Thieving Otter, despite its modest appearance, can be a persistent source of card advantage that keeps you ahead of the competition in grindy match-ups.


How to Beat Thieving Otter

Thieving Otter is a card that can be tricky to play against in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. To counteract the advantage that Thieving Otter provides, it’s essential to prevent it from connecting with the player directly. This can be achieved through various strategies such as maintaining blockers with enough power to withstand the Otter’s attack or using removal spells to clear the Otter from the board before it becomes a threat. Cards with Flash also offer an excellent way to surprise your opponent by bringing in blockers when they least expect it.

Another effective strategy is to employ instant-speed removal or creature abilities that can be activated in response to the attack. This way, you can handle the Otter in combat, ensuring it doesn’t get the chance to sneak through and cause damage. It’s also worth considering the use of enchantments or artifacts that limit your opponent’s ability to attack successfully or buff your own creatures to discourage them from attacking in the first place. In essence, staying vigilant and reacting quickly to the presence of Thieving Otter can nullify its card-drawing capability and maintain the balance of the game.


Cards like Thieving Otter

Thieving Otter carves out its niche in the world of MTG creatures that combine combat with card advantage. It pairs with creatures such as Curious Observer, which also draws a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. What differentiates Thieving Otter is its consistent ability to draw a card each time it connects with an opponent, regardless of other game states. Conversely, Curious Observer demands an additional requirement of having one or more counters on it to trigger the card draw effect.

Another comparable option is the much-loved Shadowmage Infiltrator. It shares the card draw upon dealing combat damage feature, but it comes with a higher mana cost. The Infiltrator, however, offers an extra layer of versatility with its evasion ability, making it harder to block and thus more likely to hit an opponent. Acquiring that card advantage can be smoother with the Infiltrator’s affinity for remaining unblocked.

In essence, while Thieving Otter may not boast the multifaceted capabilities of some of its contemporaries, its straightforward, low-cost utility provides a reliable method for card drawing in MTG, especially in decks built around incremental advantages and combat tricks.

Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - Odyssey (ODY)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thieving Otter MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Thieving Otter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thieving Otter has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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