Falkenrath Perforator MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Vampire
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Falkenrath Perforator enhances aggressive decks with its consistent, attack-triggered damage each turn.
  2. Its low mana cost and attack ping synergize with bloodthirst and madness strategies effectively.
  3. Direct removal or creature control are effective strategies to mitigate this vampire’s impact.

Text of card

Whenever Falkenrath Perforator attacks, it deals 1 damage to defending player.

"Lady Anje sends her regards. I'll carve the rest of her message into your skin."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Falkenrath Perforator’s ability to ping the opponent each time it attacks creates incremental advantage, slowly whittling down the opponent’s life while adding pressure without additional resource commitment.

Resource Acceleration: While this vampire rogue doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its affordable casting cost allows for efficient mana utilization, keeping your resource pool flexible for other strategic plays within the same turn.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Falkenrath Perforator complements instant-speed strategies by offering a recurring source of damage that demands an answer, thus paving the way for instant-speed interactions during your opponent’s turn while they are preoccupied.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Falkenrath Perforator demands that you discard a card upon activation. This downside might strain your hand, forcing difficult choices when your resources are already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card mandates a precise combination of mana to cast – one generic and one black mana. This cost can restrict deck-building options, confining it to decks that can produce both types of mana reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Falkenrath Perforator’s mana value might be considered steep for its power and toughness. In competitive play, there are more cost-effective choices that can deal damage or provide utility at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Falkenrath Perforator in Your Collection

Versatility: Falkenrath Perforator offers a reliable source of damage each turn with its flying ability, making it a useful addition to aggressive and tempo-driven decks that aim to quickly reduce the opponent’s life total.

Combo Potential: With its ability to inflict damage upon attacking, this card synergizes well with strategies that amplify attack triggers or capitalize on bloodthirst and madness mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where smaller creatures dominate and games are decided quickly, Falkenrath Perforator can provide a consistent and unblockable threat, pressuring opponents from the early game onwards.


How to beat

Falkenrath Perforator is a card that adds a unique dynamic to games with its relentless ability to chip away at an opponent’s life total. Although it might not seem daunting at first, it can be quite a threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. The key to overcoming this vampire ally lies in timely removal or creature control. Direct removal spells can dispatch this aggressor quickly, while trading in combat using creatures of higher toughness can fend off its attacks efficiently.

Alternatively, life gain strategies can offset the steady life loss inflicted by Falkenrath Perforator, extending the game and diluting its impact. Enlist cards with life link to recover health while dealing with other threats and employ enchantments that stifle or reverse damage. Consistent board control not only negates the Perforator’s influence but it also puts you in a favourable position against other aggressive strategies.

Overall, the tactical dismantling of cards like Falkenrath Perforator with precise removal and counter strategies is paramount. Recognizing its potential harm and countering it before it gains momentum ensures that this single creature does not perforate your chances at victory.


Cards like Falkenrath Perforator

Falkenrath Perforator brings a slight twist to the vampire archetype in Magic: The Gathering by having the ability to deal damage whenever it attacks. In that aspect, it shows a kinship with creatures like Mardu Shadowspear. The Shadowspear also deals damage upon attacking but opts for a dash mechanic rather than the direct damage Falkenrath Perforator provides. Both enhance aggressive strategies, yet they cater to different tactical approaches.

Exploring further, Spireside Infiltrator is another creature with a knack for dealing damage in red. Like the Perforator, it inflicts hurt when it becomes tapped, but it is not limited to attacking and can be triggered through various tap effects. This flexibility can potentially lead to more damage outputs with the right deck synergies. Compared to the Perforator, the Infiltrator does offer a stronger presence with its higher toughness, although at an increased mana cost.

If evaluating the role of these cards in a direct damage strategy, Falkenrath Perforator fits neatly into an aggressive vampire deck, providing consistent pressure with each attack. It stands out for its low-cost, straightforward damage-trigger, making it a suitable choice to tick down an opponent’s life total in a creature-focused red deck.

Mardu Shadowspear - MTG Card versions
Spireside Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Mardu Shadowspear - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Spireside Infiltrator - Kaladesh (KLD)

Cards similar to Falkenrath Perforator by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Mudbrawler Cohort - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Falkenrath Perforator MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Falkenrath Perforator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Falkenrath Perforator Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Marcela Medeiros.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 1362015normalblackMarcela Medeiros
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 1362015normalblackMarcela Medeiros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Falkenrath Perforator has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

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