King's Assassin MTG Card

King’s Assassin offers removal power at instant speed, introducing a significant element of surprise and flexibility. While powerful, its reliance on discard and specific mana can limit its use in certain deck strategies. Understanding how to counter King’s Assassin’s influence ensures it doesn’t dominate gameplay or strategy.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Assassin
Released	1997-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal
Set code	POR
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	98
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zina Saunders

Text of card

On your turn, before you attack, you may tap King's Assassin to destroy any one tapped creature.

Fear is as effective a weapon as the blade.

Cards like King's Assassin

King’s Assassin is a classic control piece in the realm of creature elimination within Magic: The Gathering. When looking at cards with similar assassin-like abilities, Royal Assassin stands out. Both cards boast the power to destroy tapped creatures without the need to enter combat.

Considering another equivalent, Avatar of Woe is quite the powerhouse, as it can obliterate any creature on the board once you satisfy its threshold condition. Although the upfront mana cost is higher compared to King’s Assassin, Avatar of Woe offers more flexibility and power. Additionally, there is Nekrataal, which, albeit different because it eliminates a creature upon entry to the battlefield rather than through an activated ability, still fits the narrative of targeted creature removal.

The strategic advantage of using creatures like King’s Assassin lies in their ability to repeatedly remove threats each turn. They serve a vital role in controlling the pace of the match, making them esteemed for their disruptive capabilities. Within this shadowy corner of MTG, King’s Assassin offers a unique advantage in games that require subtle yet consistent board control.

Cards similar to King's Assassin by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: King’s Assassin provides a tactical edge by enabling targeted removal of key creatures, disrupting your opponent’s board presence and giving you the upper hand in controlling the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Although King’s Assassin does not directly accelerate resources, effectively removing potential threats can conserve your resources and maintain board superiority without expending additional cards or mana.

Instant Speed: Its ability to destroy tapped creatures operates at instant speed, giving you strategic flexibility to remove threats during your opponent’s turn or after they’ve declared attackers, maximizing the potential for a favorable board state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of King’s Assassin is its reliance on using discard as a tactical element. Having to discard can often put you at a disadvantage, particularly if you’re already grappling with a depleted hand. This sacrifice can backfire, especially if you’re unable to leverage it for sufficient benefit.

Specific Mana Cost: King’s Assassin demands a precise mana arrangement to be cast, needing both black and generic mana. This necessity can restrict its integration into multicolored decks that struggle with mana flexibility, potentially sidelining the card in favor of more versatile options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to efficiency, King’s Assassin’s mana cost is on the higher side compared to other removal options available in the game. This can lead to it being overlooked in competitive play where mana efficiency and speed can be decisive factors for victory.

Reasons to Include King’s Assassin in Your Collection

Versatility: King’s Assassin offers a dynamic removal option that can be incorporated into a variety of deck builds. Its ability to destroy target tapped creatures slides seamlessly into control or midrange decks looking to maintain a clear board.

Combo Potential: This card’s skill in taking out key threats creates a natural combo with tap-down mechanics. Pairing King’s Assassin with cards that tap opponents’ creatures can set up a situation where you can selectively eliminate threats turn after turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, having King’s Assassin means you have a direct answer to essential creatures your opponents may rely on. It’s a strategic inclusion that can pivot the momentum of a game in your favor.

How to beat

King’s Assassin is an intriguing creature card that can cause quite a disruption on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to destroy a tapped creature for a small mana investment can shift game dynamics significantly. To effectively circumvent the drawbacks this card brings to your strategy, consider keeping your creatures untapped whenever possible. This can be managed by using vigilance abilities or choosing not to engage in combat when King’s Assassin is on the field.

Another approach is to remove it before it becomes a threat. Instant-speed removal spells are perfect for this. They can preemptively eliminate the Assassin before its controller has the chance to untap and utilize its lethal skill. Additionally, countering it upon cast or using spells that provide protection or hexproof to your key creatures are also viable ways to neutralize this peril from the shadows. By focusing on preventative measures and swift removal, you can preserve your forces and maintain control against the influence of King’s Assassin.

Being aware of these strategies ensures that this seemingly formidable card doesn’t dictate the pace of play, allowing you to safeguard your forces and execute your game plan without undue interference.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase King's Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 King's Assassin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where King's Assassin has restrictions

Format	Legality
Predh	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal