Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 300
2022-09-09 - Number 341
2022-09-09 - Number 201
2022-09-09 - Number 201s
2022-09-09 - Number 201p
2022-09-09 - Number 72
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Faerie Rogue |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever a player casts a spell that targets only a single creature other than Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief, you may copy that spell. The copy targets Ivy.
Cards like Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief
Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an enchanting creature designed to leverage the spells of your opponents. This resembles cards like Narset’s Reversal, which turns your opponent’s instant or sorcery spell against them. While Narset’s Reversal is a one-time use instant with a similar concept of reusing the opponent’s magic against them, Ivy endures on the battlefield and can potentially disrupt multiple spells.
Another peer in this unique category is Kheru Spellsnatcher. Like Ivy, when Kheru Spellsnatcher counters a spell, you get to cast that spell for free. However, Kheru comes with a higher mana cost and it’s a one-off ability unless further recursion methods are used, whereas Ivy offers repeated value by copying any number of spells throughout the game, provided you have creatures to target.
Ultimately, Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief delivers consistent and potentially game-altering advantages for players. Its ability to copy various spells makes it a versatile weapon in creature-centric decks, setting it apart from similar cards that are more isolated in their impact or come with a steeper cost.
Cards similar to Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simic Heroic | Standard | Simic Heroic | Standard Preliminary 2024-01-29 |
 | Bant Bogles | Modern | $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:00 pm | |
| Simic Toxic | Standard | Simic Heroic | BLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open |
 | Simic Burn | Standard | Simic Heroic | BLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open |
 | Simic Aggro | Standard | Simic Heroic | 2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open |
| Simic Tempo | Standard | Simic Heroic | 2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open |
| Bant Poisen | Standard | Simic Heroic | LotusVale-Series Winter 2024 Standard |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief stands out by offering the potential to generate card advantage by copying the first instant or sorcery spell each turn that targets a single creature you control. This alludes to not only copying your own spells for added value but also utilizing your opponent’s spells against them, amplifying the strategic depth and potential plays at your disposal.
Resource Acceleration: The utility of this card further extends to resource acceleration, as any copy created becomes a new resource itself. This means that when you copy a spell that might, for example, generate mana or draw cards, you double the benefit—furthering your lead or potentially even catching up if you’re behind on board.
Instant Speed: Although Ivy herself is a creature, the ability to copy instant speed spells means you can leverage this tactical advantage without warning during an opponent’s turn. This aspect can lead to significant shifts in the tide of a match, as you can respond to threats or opportunities immediately, creating surges in momentum when least expected by your opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief’s abilities might not entail a direct discard, but her dependency on casting multiple spells can deplete your hand quickly. The need to maintain a steady flow of spells to get the most value from her ability can feel like an indirect pressure to discard resources, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage in the long game.
Specific Mana Cost: Ivy requires a very color-specific investment with one green and two blue mana. This can hinder her inclusion in decks that aren’t heavily committed to these colors, reducing her versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Ivy’s mana cost of three might not appear steep at first glance, the intensity of competition in the three-mana slot is significant. Many decks prefer lower-cost creatures that impact the board immediately or more potent spells that can change the game’s state when three mana is available. Ivy’s immediate impact is conditional, which may not justify her spot over other cards in the same cost range.
Reasons to Include Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief in Your Collection
Versatility: Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief boasts adaptability, seamlessly integrating into various deck archetypes that covet spell-copying dynamics. Its ability to clone spells adds layers of strategy to both offense and defense.
Combo Potential: The card excels in combination with instants and sorceries, enabling you to orchestrate powerful plays or even establish infinite loops under the right conditions, elevating the power level of spellcaster-based decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given that the current metagame prizes innovative tactics, Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief rises as a formidable asset, intervening in spell-heavy matchups, and often tipping the scales in favor of its wielder.
How to beat
Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief can be quite the trickster in the hands of a skilled MTG player. Her ability to copy instant and sorcery spells makes her a threat that can escalate quickly if left unchecked on the battlefield. Navigating around her stealthy tactics requires a blend of removal spells and timing. Utilize instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to catch her before she weaves her magic. Keep in mind, letting your opponent resolve a spell with Ivy on the board can be dangerous, so it’s best to act during your turn or in response to her casting.
Another approach is to limit the spells Ivy can copy by playing fewer instants and sorceries and focusing on creature or permanent-based strategies. Cards such as Grafdigger’s Cage can also hinder her usefulness by restricting the kinds of spells she can target. Playing around Ivy involves a strategic balance of threat assessment and resource management to ensure she doesn’t give your opponent the upper hand.
Denying your opponent resources, employing creature-focused strategies, and wielding timely removal will ensure Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief doesn’t turn your spells into her playthings and maintains your edge in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United and Dominaria United, 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 Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 300 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eshpur | |
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 341 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eshpur | |
| 3 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 201 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong | |
| 4 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United Promos | PDMU | 201s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong | |
| 5 | Dominaria United Art Series | ADMU | 72 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 6 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United Promos | PDMU | 201p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | If Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief isn’t a legal target for the spell, no copy can be created. |
| 2022-09-09 | If a spell has multiple targets but all of them are the same creature, Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief’s second ability will trigger. |
| 2022-09-09 | If the spell that’s copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast, the copy has the same value of X. |
| 2022-09-09 | If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. You can’t choose a different one. |
| 2022-09-09 | The controller of a copy can’t choose to pay any additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too. Notably, if the spell you copy was kicked, the copies will also be kicked. |
| 2022-09-09 | The copy is created even if the spell that caused the ability to trigger has been countered by the time the ability resolves. The copy resolves before the original spell. |
| 2022-09-09 | The copy that Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief’s second ability creates is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Other abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger. |
| 2022-09-09 | The second ability triggers whenever a player casts a spell that targets only one creature and no other object or player. It doesn’t matter who controls the creature. |