Syndicate Trafficker MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Aetherborn Rogue
Power 3
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables resource optimization by using creatures/artifacts to strengthen Syndicate Trafficker’s abilities.
  2. Offers instant speed reaction, turning it into a formidable, adaptable battlefield presence.
  3. Sacrificial mechanics demand strategic artifact management to maintain board advantage.

Text of card

, Sacrifice an artifact: Put a +1/+1 counter on Syndicate Trafficker. It gains indestructible until end of turn.

"The price isn't negotiable, but I'm sure you'll agree it's fair."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Syndicate Trafficker, you efficiently manage your resources by making the most out of your creatures and artifacts. When you activate its ability to sacrifice another artifact or creature, this not only strengthens the Trafficker but also could synergize with other cards that offer benefits when permanents leave the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Syndicate Trafficker can become a significant threat rapidly. Each artifact you sacrifice to it allows the Trafficker to grow, and if you’ve structured your deck with low-cost artifacts, you could accelerate the Trafficker to become a powerful force much quicker than your opponent expects.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Syndicate Trafficker’s power at instant speed means that you can choose the optimal moment during the battle. Use it in response to an opponent’s actions, giving you the flexibility to react to threats or to create them of your own at any time—even during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Syndicate Trafficker demands the sacrifice of another artifact to activate its ability. This can deplete your artifact reserves quickly, potentially diminishing your board presence and synergistic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Syndicate Trafficker’s ability requires one black mana. This specific mana cost can sometimes limit its inclusion to decks that are heavy in black mana or that can reliably produce it, reducing its versatility in multi-color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana and an additional cost for its ability, there may be instances when utilizing Syndicate Trafficker becomes mana-intensive compared to other options. Other creatures or spells at the same mana point might offer immediate impact without the need for further investment, making it a less favorable option in some scenarios.


Reasons to Include Syndicate Trafficker in Your Collection

Versatility: Syndicate Trafficker offers a robust addition to decks focused on artifact synergies or that are heavy with creatures. Its ability to sacrifice an artifact to become indestructible provides a safeguard against removal and enables favorable combat situations.

Combo Potential: This card plays well with strategies generating a surplus of artifact tokens, converting them into not only a defensive mechanic but also a tool for strengthening the Trafficker itself.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment crowded with targeted removals, the Trafficker’s self-protection makes it a resilient threat. It fits well in strategies aimed at outlasting the opponent and in aggressive decks as a recurring and escalating problem for the adversary.


How to beat

Syndicate Trafficker presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, thriving in artifact-rich environments in Magic: The Gathering. This creature can quickly become a formidable force, thanks to its ability to sacrifice another artifact to gain a +1/+1 counter and indestructible until the end of the turn. To effectively counter this strategy, removal spells that don’t target or that exile are essential tools. Board wipes that clear all creatures, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can bypass the Trafficker’s indestructibility. Exiling effects, for instance with Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can cleanly remove Syndicate Trafficker from play without triggering its indestructible state.

Another tactic is to starve the Trafficker of resources by focusing on artifact removal. Disrupting the synergy with spells like Shatterstorm or Vandalblast reduces the number of artifacts available for it to sacrifice, diminishing its staying power. In games geared toward the long term, stripping the opponent of artifacts can not only weaken Syndicate Trafficker but also lessen the impact of other artifact-dependent strategies they may employ.


Cards like Syndicate Trafficker

Syndicate Trafficker stands out among creatures in MTG due to its ability to protect itself while strengthening its presence on the battlefield. A comparable card is Yahenni, Undying Partisan, which also offers a way to bolster itself by siphoning strength from other creatures. Where Syndicate Trafficker requires an artifact to be sacrificed, Yahenni gains power through the demise of any other creature on the field, potentially making it a more versatile choice in creature-heavy decks.

Bloodthrone Vampire is another creature that shares the sacrifice mechanic, though it lacks the added resilience provided by Trafficker’s indestructible ability. This makes Syndicate Trafficker a standout option for strategies focused on artifact synergy and longevity. Then consider Woe Strider, a card that brings utility beyond just growing in strength – it gives you the added benefit of scrying whenever a sacrifice is performed, albeit without the indestructibility that the Syndicate Trafficker offers.

In assessing these alternatives, Syndicate Trafficker demonstrates a significant advantage in decks that capitalize on artifacts. Its ability to dodge removal while continuously growing in power makes it a formidable card for players looking to dominate the field with an enduring threat.

Yahenni, Undying Partisan - MTG Card versions
Bloodthrone Vampire - MTG Card versions
Woe Strider - MTG Card versions
Yahenni, Undying Partisan - Aether Revolt Promos (PAER)
Bloodthrone Vampire - URL/Convention Promos (PURL)
Woe Strider - Theros Beyond Death Promos (PTHB)

Cards similar to Syndicate Trafficker by color, type and mana cost

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Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
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Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
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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 Syndicate Trafficker MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Promos, 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 Syndicate Trafficker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Syndicate Trafficker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2016-09-30. Illustrated by Tony Foti.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 1012015normalblackTony Foti
22016-09-30Kaladesh PromosPKLD 101s2015normalblackTony Foti

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Syndicate Trafficker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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