Kitesail Larcenist MTG Card


Kitesail Larcenist is great for card advantage, gaining you resources with each successful attack. It disrupts opponents and can indirectly accelerate your own resource advantage. Instant speed spells can complement its ability, granting it evasion for reliable benefits.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Pirate
Abilities Flying,Ward
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying, ward When Kitesail Larcenist enters the battlefield, for each player, choose up to one other target artifact or creature that player controls. For as long as Kitesail Larcenist remains on the battlefield, the chosen permanents become Treasure artifacts with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color" and lose all other abilities.


Cards like Kitesail Larcenist

Kitesail Larcenist has earned its reputation as a clever tool for MTG players who relish controlling the skies and pilfering from opponents. Its allure lies in its unique ability to draw a card whenever it deals damage to an opponent, reminiscent of other creatures with similar effects. For instance, Thieving Magpie embodies this “damage for draw” concept but with a sturdier body, albeit at a higher mana cost.

Comparably, Shadowmage Infiltrator is another that delves into enemy lines for card advantage, cloaked by fear to avoid blockers. It’s slightly more costly than Kitesail Larcenist but justifies its price with immediate impact thanks to being unblockable by most creatures. Looter il-Kor follows a similar design; though it doesn’t guarantee card draw, the shadow ability ensures it often hits untouched.

Yet, when weighing these options, Kitesail Larcenist stands out for its low cost and evasion, making it a suitable choice in decks aiming to disrupt opponents while steadily gaining card advantage. In essence, this card exemplifies strategic diversity in MTG, catering to a gameplay style that tactically combines offense with a taste for incremental gains.

Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Looter il-Kor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kitesail Larcenist by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kitesail Larcenist. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic Artifact AggroSimic Artifact Aggro StandardSimic Artifact AggroTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 25, 2024
Bant CompanyBant Company PioneerBant CompanyPioneer Preliminary 2024-05-14
Izzet Ensoul ArtifactIzzet Ensoul Artifact PioneerIzzet Ensoul ArtifactPioneer League 2024-05-10
Simic ArtifactsSimic Artifacts StandardSimic Artifact AggroF2F Tour Championship: Montreal May 2024 Top 12 Standard
HumansHumans ModernHumansModern Challenge 64 2024-05-04
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangePro Tour Thunder Junction
Izzet PiratesIzzet Pirates StandardIzzet PiratesTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 25, 2024
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Simic AggroSimic Aggro StandardSimic Artifact AggroCCG Standard

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kitesail Larcenist shines in its ability to create card advantage every time it connects with an opponent. This repeated effect can significantly outpace your opponent’s resources over the course of a game.

Resource Acceleration: While Kitesail Larcenist doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its potential to disrupt an opponent’s strategic plays by swiping a key card can indirectly accelerate your board position and resources in comparison.

Instant Speed: Although Kitesail Larcenist is not an instant itself, it can benefit from instant speed spells that remove potential blockers or grant it evasion, thus ensuring it hits your opponent and triggers its larceny ability for consistent advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kitesail Larcenist demands you to discard a card for its additional cost. This factor can deplete your hand, especially when you need to maintain card advantage against opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana required to cast this card includes a precise color combination, which could constrain its integration in multicolored decks that might not consistently produce the necessary mana colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of several mana to cast, Kitesail Larcenist’s abilities might be assessed as less attractive when compared to other cards with similar or lower costs that deliver comparable, if not superior, effects on the game.


Reasons to Include Kitesail Larcenist in Your Collection

Versatility: Kitesail Larcenist excels in its ability to adapt to various playstyles. Equipped with evasion, this card can become a staple in decks that capitalize on dealing combat damage to a player, making it a versatile addition to your arsenal.

Combo Potential: Its inherent ability to draw cards on hitting an opponent makes it a prime candidate for synergies with cards that benefit from drawing or having a large hand size. Its potential to unlock powerful combos through card advantage shouldn’t be underestimated.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where information is power, its card draw capability keeps you ahead of the curve, ensuring that you remain competitive against decks that rely on board presence. As the meta shifts, so does the relevance of having a constant flow of new cards, making Kitesail Larcenist a strategic pick for your collection.


How to beat Kitesail Larcenist

Kitesail Larcenist is a unique rogue card that can pose a subtle threat in Magic: The Gathering, thanks to its ability to draw cards upon dealing combat damage to a player. Similar to other creatures that enable card advantage, Kitesail Larcenist can become problematic if not addressed promptly. To effectively neutralize this threat, there are a few strategies a savvy player can deploy.

Firstly, controlling the field with removal spells is key. Employing spot removal spells like Doom Blade or Murder can quickly dispatch Kitesail Larcenist before it starts plundering your deck. Another strategy is using counterspells such as Cancel or Mana Leak to prevent the larcenist from ever hitting the board. If the creature does manage to sneak past your defenses, having creatures with reach or flying, such as Spire Monitor or Giant Spider, can block and prevent it from achieving its card-drawing objective. Lastly, enchantments like Pacifism or the artifact Imprisoned in the Moon can neutralize the larcenist without removing it, thereby depriving your opponent of its thieving prowess.

In conclusion, while Kitesail Larcenist holds the potential to sway the tide of a game in favor of your opponent by providing them with card advantage, timely removal, field control, or creature blocking can effectively counteract its influence, keeping the playing field level and your opponent’s hands less stocked.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricate world of MTG means making the most of every card, including Kitesail Larcenist. As a rogue in your arsenal, understanding its pros and cons can change the tide of your games. From gaining card advantage through clever combat damage to considering its placement in your deck considering mana cost and color requirements, Kitesail Larcenist invites strategic depth and careful planning. Embrace the opportunity to delve deeper into its potential and solidify your collection. Learn more about optimizing your gameplay and enhancing your deck’s performance for the next level of MTG play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kitesail Larcenist MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Kitesail Larcenist and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Kitesail Larcenist Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3642015NormalBlackSidharth Chaturvedi
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 612015NormalBlackSidharth Chaturvedi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kitesail Larcenist has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kitesail Larcenist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-11-10 If Kitesail Larcenist leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, that ability will have no effect. The target permanents won't become Treasures at all.
2023-11-10 If some of the targets, but not all, are illegal as the ability resolves, the illegal targets will be unaffected. Only the remaining legal targets will become Treasures.
2023-11-10 The targets of Kitesail Larcenist's enters-the-battlefield ability will lose any other subtypes and card types they previously had and will be only Treasure artifacts as long as Kitesail Larcenist remains on the battlefield. They will retain any supertypes they had.