Dhund Operative MTG Card


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

Key Takeaways

  1. The Operative’s effectiveness peaks when combined with artifacts, making it a combat-enhancing asset.
  2. Viable in artifact-heavy decks, it strengthens board presence and adds early-game pressure.
  3. Its power boost and deathtouch can sway board control, providing a noteworthy advantage.

Text of card

As long as you control an artifact, Dhund Operative gets +1/+0 and has deathtouch. (Any amount of damage it deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)

Baral's spies always have the latest technology.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dhund Operative is a solid inclusion in decks that strive for consistent board presence. Its ability to maintain pressure and provide value through its synergies with artifacts can lead to sustained card advantage throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to resource acceleration, Dhund Operative fits well into decks that utilize artifacts to ramp up their mana, enabling faster plays and allowing for a cost-effective threat on the board early in the game.

Instant Speed: While Dhund Operative itself does not operate at instant speed, it can benefit from the strategic play of instant-speed removal or artifact interactions. This creates opportunities to outmaneuver opponents, especially as they calculate the risks of engaging with an operative that could potentially become stronger with artifact support on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dhund Operative demands that you maintain an artifact on the battlefield to leverage its potential. Without an artifact, you lose out on both the power boost and deathtouch, which could be critical in combat scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes one black mana, which can restrict its integration into multi-colored decks that may not prioritize black mana or have a reliable source for it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though the cost of two mana isn’t exorbitant, when considering its reliance on another permanent (an artifact) to be fully effective, it could be deemed inefficient. Other creatures at similar mana costs could provide better value without conditional requirements.


Reasons to Include Dhund Operative in Your Collection

Versatility: Dhund Operative is a strong consideration for decks that require a robust two-drop creature. Its ability to get a power boost and deathtouch when an artifact is in play allows it to fit nicely into artifact-centric and black-based aggro or midrange decks.

Combo Potential: Combining this card with cheap artifacts increases its threat level, turning it into a reliable and deadly blocker or attacker early in the game. For decks that exploit artifact synergies, Dhund Operative can become a key piece in executing your strategy.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small creatures are prevalent, having a two-drop that can trade up thanks to deathtouch or pressure life totals can be instrumental in gaining an advantage. Its relevance is heightened in environments where artifacts play a key role, making Dhund Operative a choice card to adjust to the ebbs and flows of deck trends.


How to beat

Dhund Operative is a solid utility creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, bolstering its power when paired with an artifact. Much like other creatures that rely on synergy to unlock their full potential, overcoming Dhund Operative involves disrupting this key interaction. Targeted removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently deal with the Operative before it becomes a significant threat, especially when artifacts are in short supply. Similarly, artifact removal spells, such as Abrade or Naturalize, can reduce the Operative’s effectiveness, stripping it of the power boost and leaving it as a mere 2/2 creature.

Another strategy lies in avoiding combat with boosted operatives and focusing on controlling the board state. Sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board, including any buffed Operatives. Minimizing the number of artifacts your opponent controls will also limit the Operative’s strength, making it a less formidable foe. Utilize tools that can manage both creatures and the artifacts that empower them to maintain the upper hand against Dhund Operative and similar strategies.


Cards like Dhund Operative

Dhund Operative is an intriguing creature card within the Magic: The Gathering universe. It can be likened to cards like Alley Strangler, which also presents as a 2/2 creature with specific conditions enhancing its abilities. The operative truly shines when an artifact is on your battlefield, gaining deathtouch and turning into a formidable defender or attacker for a mere two mana.

Another card to consider is Defiant Salvager, a staple in artifact-centric decks. While it doesn’t naturally possess deathtouch like the Operative, it has the ability to sacrifice artifacts to grow in strength. This different form of artifact synergy could sway a player’s preference based on strategic inclinations. Balancing the immediate offensive threat of Dhund Operative with the long-term potential of the Salvager is key.

Examining these alternatives underlines the Dhund Operative’s role in MTG. It’s not just about the card’s individual strength, but its synergy with other cards that define its value in any given deck. The allure of turning artifacts into death-dealing tools is what keeps the Dhund Operative as a dependable choice, especially in the right artifact-heavy environments.

Alley Strangler - MTG Card versions
Defiant Salvager - MTG Card versions
Alley Strangler - Aether Revolt (AER)
Defiant Salvager - Aether Revolt (AER)

Cards similar to Dhund Operative by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nether Shadow - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dhund Operative MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Commander Legends, 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 Dhund Operative and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dhund Operative Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 742015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1192015normalblackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dhund Operative has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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