Illicit Masquerade MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 88
2024-02-09 - Number 401
2024-02-10 - Number 88s
2024-02-10 - Number 88p
Text of card
Flash When Illicit Masquerade enters the battlefield, put an impostor counter on each creature you control. Whenever a creature you control with an impostor counter on it dies, exile it. Return up to one other target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Cards like Illicit Masquerade
Illicit Masquerade adds a unique twist to the realm of evasion spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterparts could be considered cards like Rogue’s Passage, which offers the ability to make creatures unblockable. However, Illicit Masquerade provides the added advantage of not only sneaking creatures past defenses but also rewarding the player with a card draw for each unblocked attacking rogue.
Comparatively, Whispersilk Cloak is another piece that grants unblockability along with the protection of shroud. While powerful, it lacks the card advantage Illicit Masquerade brings to the table. Key to the City also shares similarities, permitting unblocked attacks at the cost of discarding a card, which can benefit graveyard strategies but doesn’t guarantee an immediate benefit like Illicit Masquerade’s card draw ability.
Ultimately, Illicit Masquerade holds its own in a deck centered around rogues and stealth tactics in Magic: The Gathering, offering a balance of evasion and card advantage that is distinct among its relatives in the game.
Cards similar to Illicit Masquerade by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Illicit Masquerade. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Midrange | Standard | Rakdos Midrange | ~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event |
 | Abzan Aggro | Standard | Mono-Black Midrange | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
 | Rakdos Reanimator | Standard | Rakdos Midrange | ~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event |
 | Orzhov Lifegain | Standard | Orzhov Midrange | ~~ Izzet Explosive Experiment Event |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Illicit Masquerade bestows a subtle edge by letting users sift through their deck. Each masquerade phase grows your hand, ensuring you’re never wanting for options or strategies.
Resource Acceleration: On top of the card selection benefit, this spell catalyzes your resource generation. As your masquerade builds, your mana pool blossoms, enabling bigger plays and smoother mana curves early on.
Instant Speed: Illicit Masquerade’s swift nature is its clandestine blade. Cast it when the moment is ripe without telegraphing your moves. This complements a thoughtful, reactive playstyle, keeping your opponents guessing while you stay steps ahead.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Illicit Masquerade card necessitates discarding another card which could deplete your hand, especially when you’re aiming for a strategy that requires a full grip of options.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and black mana, this card is somewhat restrictive, demanding a precise mana base and possibly deterring players from incorporating it into multicolored decks that do not focus on these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost demanding three different sources, including one generic, one blue, and one black, Illicit Masquerade comes at a premium. This can be quite steep in games where tempo and efficiency are key, limiting its playability when faster options are available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illicit Masquerade is a flexible addition to any MTG deck that thrives on surprise and adaptation. Its ability to disrupt opponents while offering card draw options makes it a solid asset in various gameplay scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates into strategies aimed at manipulating hand sizes or benefiting from discarding cards, thereby unlocking powerful combos within the game.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in outwitting opponents and maintaining card advantage, Illicit Masquerade holds its ground in a fluctuating competitive environment, remaining a relevant choice across various metagames.
How to Beat Illicit Masquerade
Illicit Masquerade enters the field as one of the trickier enchantments in your opponent’s arsenal. This card can create a significant strategic advantage by allowing its controller to draw and discard cards, potentially every turn. Yet, there are ways to navigate and dismantle this advantage. To combat Illicit Masquerade, you might want to focus on enchantment removal spells. The likes of Disenchant or Naturalize are essential, as they can directly target and destroy Illicit Masquerade.
Another effective strategy revolves around restricting your opponent’s ability to benefit from drawing additional cards. Employ cards like Narset, Parter of Veils, which can limit your opponent to drawing only one card per turn. Hand disruption also plays a pivotal role. Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can remove key cards from your opponent’s hand before they become a real threat on the board, putting a wrench in their plans fueled by Illicit Masquerade’s card engine.
Ultimately, deny the advantage Illicit Masquerade provides by preparing your deck with precise answers. Tackling this enchantment promptly will help keep the tempo of the game in your favor and overshadow the potential card advantage it might have given your opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illicit Masquerade MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Illicit Masquerade 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 Illicit Masquerade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by Valera Lutfullina.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 88 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Valera Lutfullina | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 401 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Valera Lutfullina | |
| 3 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 88s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Valera Lutfullina | |
| 4 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 88p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Valera Lutfullina |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Illicit Masquerade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.