Fathom Fleet Cutthroat MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 107
2019-07-12 - Number 100
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Excels in controlling board state through targeted creature destruction, potentially altering game momentum.
- Demands tactical play—requires damaged creatures and specific mana, restricting deck synergy.
- Strategic for metas dominated by creature-based aggro decks, offering solid removal utility.
Text of card
When Fathom Fleet Cutthroat enters the battlefield, destroy target creature an opponent controls that was dealt damage this turn.
"It was a bad evening for you, mate. Now it's chow time for the sharks."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Fathom Fleet Cutthroat is adept at eliminating opposing creatures, potentially swinging the board state in your favor. It not only bolsters your presence but also disrupts your opponent’s strategies, giving you an upper hand in maintaining control.
Resource Acceleration: While this pirate doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its ability to clear the way for your attacks can indirectly lead to resource advantage. By removing blockers, it enables swifter damage to your opponent, propelling you towards a win before they can establish a defensive line of resources.
Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, the Fathom Fleet Cutthroat can mesh well with instant-speed plays. Responsive removal or end-of-turn tricks create opportunities for the cutthroat to enter a battlefield and exploit its advantageous enter-the-battlefield trigger, often at a moment most disadvantageous for your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Fathom Fleet Cutthroat requires you to have another creature die to activate its ability. This can be a significant setback if you’re unable to consistently have a creature on the board to sacrifice or if doing so would leave you defenseless.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring both black mana in its casting cost, the Fathom Fleet Cutthroat demands a committed mana base. This can restrict its inclusion to mainly black-oriented or pirate-themed decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a 3/3 body that only destroys a creature that was already damaged, the Fathom Fleet Cutthroat might not offer the best value for its mana investment. There are other creatures or removal options that can affect the board more impactfully without such cost constraints.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Fathom Fleet Cutthroat can be a flexible pick for decks that seek to control the battlefield. Its ability to destroy a creature that was dealt damage during the turn allows it to slot into various black-centric strategies seeking to maintain board presence.
Combo Potential: This card can work well in combinations with other cards that deal non-lethal damage, enabling targeted removal of larger threats. Utilize it in tandem with cards that ‘ping’ creatures to maximize its destructive capability.
Meta-Relevance: Given its solid removal utility, Fathom Fleet Cutthroat can be especially useful in metas with a prevalence of creature-based aggro decks. It serves as an excellent tool to tilt the table in grindy matchups where board control is paramount.
How to beat
Fathom Fleet Cutthroat enters the realm of creatures that have an immediate impact on the board state due to its ability to destroy another creature when it enters the battlefield. This is especially significant in eliminating key targets that are already weakened. To overcome this, it’s important to manage the board and your creatures’ health. Ensuring your creatures are out of range of being considered ‘damaged’ can neuter the card’s potency.
Maintaining a full health status for creatures or utilizing indestructible units will render the Cutthroat’s entrance less threatening. Another strategy is to control the opponent’s board before the Cutthroat can be cast. Playing cards that provide hexproof or shroud can also protect valuable creatures from being targeted. Additionally, you can counter the threat by holding onto instant-speed removal or bounce spells to react to the Cutthroat’s trigger, removing it from the battlefield before it takes down an essential part of your strategy.
While Fathom Fleet Cutthroat can be a concerning presence, planning ahead and employing these tactics can turn the tides in your favor, enabling you to continue your gameplay with confidence, knowing you have the tools to handle such threats.
Cards like Fathom Fleet Cutthroat
Fathom Fleet Cutthroat holds its ground in the arsenal of creature-based control cards in Magic: The Gathering. It draws comparisons to Nekrataal, another creature with a powerful enter the battlefield effect aimed at destroying other creatures. While Nekrataal targets only nonartifact, nonblack creatures, Fathom Fleet Cutthroat has more flexibility, taking aim at any creature that was dealt damage this turn.
Fleshbag Marauder presents another benchmark against our swashbuckling pirate. This card, although it does not require a damaged creature, impacts all players by forcing them to sacrifice a creature. The Cutthroat, conversely, is selective and could be more advantageous in circumstances where you’ve already arranged for damage to be dealt.
Therefore, in gauging Fathom Fleet Cutthroat’s strengths, we recognize it as a versatile choice for decks that are structured to routinely deal damage to opposing creatures. It emerges as a tactical option that can capitalize on weakened foes, making it a handy asset for players looking to control the battleground of their MTG matches.
Cards similar to Fathom Fleet Cutthroat by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fathom Fleet Cutthroat MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Core Set 2020, 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 Fathom Fleet Cutthroat 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
Printings
The Fathom Fleet Cutthroat Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz | |
| 2 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josu Hernaiz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fathom Fleet Cutthroat 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 |
