Jhessian Thief MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 62
2017-11-17 - Number 61
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Abilities | Prowess |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) Whenever Jhessian Thief deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
"Where's the fun in an escape if it's not at least a little daring?"
Cards like Jhessian Thief
In the realm of creature-based card advantage in Magic: The Gathering, Jhessian Thief grabs attention as it weaves prowess with gaining insight from your opponent’s deck. It mirrors the functionality of creatures like Looter il-Kor, which also facilitates card draw. Unlike the Looter, Jhessian Thief doesn’t require a discard, allowing for pure card gain at the expense of a more costly mana investment.
Another card akin to Jhessian Thief is Ophidian, entwining damage prevention with card draw. The Thief, however, banks on successful combat damage to the player to trigger its ability, offering a potentially more consistent card advantage under the right conditions. Ohran Viper presents as a creature with a similar draw mechanic yet differing in that it either needs to deal damage to a creature or player. In this sense, Jhessian Thief stands out for its singular focus on player combat, which can be a strategic inclusion in decks pushing for consistent player engagement.
In assessing creature-based draw strategies, Jhessian Thief holds a unique position. Its prowess ability is the cherry on top, strengthening it with every noncreature spell cast, and making it a solid option for players keen on blending combat with cunning intellect to outdraw their opponents.
Cards similar to Jhessian Thief by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Jhessian Thief is crafted to enhance your hand one pilfer at a time. Each successful hit on your opponent not only chip away their life total but lets you draw a card, ensuring that your hand remains filled with options and your strategy can stay multiple steps ahead.
Resource Acceleration: While Jhessian Thief doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense, the additional cards gained from her prowess ensure a steady stream of land drops and spell options to outpace the opponent.
Instant Speed: This elusive agent thrives when you have untapped mana and cards to play at instant speed. Nabbing cards from the top of your deck with each successful attack rewards skillful interaction during the opponent’s turn and keeps your defenses ready while setting up the next big play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Jhessian Thief demands you to have a successful attack to trigger card draw, which can be challenging without evasion aids or if the board state is not favorable.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both blue and generic mana, which can restrict the thief’s inclusion to only blue-centric or two-color decks, potentially excluding her from broader strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 1/3 creature, the Jhessian Thief could be too slow compared to other cards that provide more immediate card draw or presence on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Jhessian Thief can easily find a place in different deck archetypes due to its ability to draw cards upon dealing combat damage to a player. This fits well in strategies keen on card advantage and incremental value.
Combo Potential: With this card, you can pair it with various equipments or enchantments that enhance its evasion, making it simpler to connect with an opponent and trigger its card-drawing ability. This ensures a steady flow of options for the player throughout the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where information is key, Jhessian Thief shines by providing continuous card advantage which is crucial in outmaneuvering opponents, particularly in formats where tempo plays a significant role.
How to beat
Jhessian Thief presents a unique challenge for players in the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that draws a card every time it deals combat damage to a player, it can quickly turn the tide by providing card advantage. To counter this effect, players need to adopt strategies that can neutralize or bypass its prowess.
One effective tactic is to keep removal spells handy. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can swiftly dispatch Jhessian Thief before it becomes a problem. If direct removal isn’t available, employing creatures with high toughness to block and survive the Thief’s attacks is also an efficient way to prevent the card draw trigger. Additionally, using counterspells when the Thief is cast can ensure it never touches the battlefield, thus maintaining the equilibrium.
Flexibility is key, and sometimes it means creating a pace where Jhessian Thief cannot thrive. Spells that force your opponent to discard cards can reduce their ability to protect the Thief, while enchantments that prevent creatures from attacking ensure that the Thief’s ability is rendered useless. In sum, understanding the dynamics of the game and keeping versatile answers in your deck can seal off the advantage Jhessian Thief aims to provide.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Jhessian Thief MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Iconic Masters, 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 Jhessian Thief and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Jhessian Thief Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by Miles Johnston.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miles Johnston | |
| 2 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Miles Johnston |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Jhessian Thief has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Jhessian Thief card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | Any spell you cast that doesn’t have the type creature will cause prowess to trigger. If a spell has multiple types, and one of those types is creature (such as an artifact creature), casting it won’t cause prowess to trigger. Playing a land also won’t cause prowess to trigger. |
| 2015-06-22 | Once it triggers, prowess isn’t connected to the spell that caused it to trigger. If that spell is countered, prowess will still resolve. |
| 2015-06-22 | Prowess goes on the stack on top of the spell that caused it to trigger. It will resolve before that spell. |