Lagrella, the Magpie MTG Card


Card advantage is significant, as Lagrella offers extra drawing power, keeping your hand full. Its instant speed allows players to disrupt opponents with timely, strategic plays. Lagrella’s mana cost and discard requirement may limit its inclusion in certain decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Soldier
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Lagrella, the Magpie enters the battlefield, exile any number of other target creatures controlled by different players until Lagrella leaves the battlefield. When an exiled card enters the battlefield under your control this way, put two +1/+1 counters on it.


Cards like Lagrella, the Magpie

Lagrella, the Magpie is a fresh addition to the pantheon of theft-style cards in Magic: The Gathering, blending elements of subterfuge and utility. Its kinship lies with cards like Robber of the Rich, which also allows players to play with cards stolen from opponents. Lagrella, however, has an advantage with its ability to exile a nonland card with its reconnaissance mission, potentially hitting key pieces in an opponent’s strategy.

Shadowmage Infiltrator is another classic card that shares a similarity in providing card advantage through damage to an opponent. Though Shadowmage Infiltrator draws directly upon connecting, Lagrella’s unique ability can disrupt an opponent’s next draw, which offers a different strategic layer. Baird, Steward of Argive presents an interesting contrast, not in card stealing abilities, but in hindering opponents from freely attacking, which complements Lagrella’s reconnaissance advantage in controlling the game’s flow.

Choosing between these options depends on the deck’s needs. While each plays a role in gaining advantage over an opponent, Lagrella, the Magpie’s ability to potentially meddle with an opponent’s future plans is a compelling reason to consider it in control-oriented decks within Magic: The Gathering.

Robber of the Rich - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Baird, Steward of Argive - MTG Card versions
Robber of the Rich - MTG Card versions
Shadowmage Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Baird, Steward of Argive - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Bant ZenithBant Zenith LegacyBlue ZenithLegacy Challenge 32 2024-05-12 (1)
AlurenAluren Legacy103 / The 103rd Legacy at Home
Five-color HumansFive-color Humans Pioneer5c LegendsHBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k
Five-Color LegendsFive-Color Legends Standard5c LegendsCommunity Turnier 4/2023
5c Legends5c Legends Standard5c LegendsStandard League 2024-02-01
WUBGWUBG LegacyLegacy League 2024-01-12
Four-Color Control (Yorion)Four-Color Control (Yorion) Legacy2023 NA Legacy Champs

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lagrella, the Magpie shines when it comes to giving players extra drawing power. With its ability to potentially reveal multiple cards from the top of your library, you’re equipped to maintain a full hand and stay ahead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: By generating value with each swing, Lagrella ensures you’re steadily improving your board state. This rapid acquisition of resources can be a game-changer, offering flexibility in your strategy and fueling powerful plays to outpace your opponents.

Instant Speed: This feathery friend’s reactive nature allows for a dynamic playstyle. Having the option to flash in Lagrella at the most opportune moment can disrupt your opponent’s plans and keep them guessing, securing you the tactical advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lagrella, the Magpie demands players to discard a card, posing a challenge when your hand is already running low on valuable options.

Specific Mana Cost: With a blend of white and blue in its mana cost, Lagrella may not seamlessly slot into a multi-colored deck, potentially limiting its applicability.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering a unique ability, Lagrella has a significant mana investment which might overshadow its utility compared to other lower-costed creatures that provide similar or more immediate benefits on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Lagrella, the Magpie in Your Collection

Versatility: Lagrella, the Magpie stands out for its ability to adapt to numerous deck archetypes. Its utility in a game comes from its potential to consistently return high-value permanents from the graveyard to the hand.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Lagrella, the Magpie can become a core component of a powerful combo strategy. Its repeatable effect can recycle combo pieces or create synergies with strategies focusing on enter-the-battlefield triggers or graveyard retrieval.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to disrupt graveyard strategies – which are prevalent in many metas – and to provide card advantage, Lagrella, the Magpie is a strategic addition for players looking to keep pace in dynamic competitive environments.


How to beat Lagrella, the Magpie

Lagrella, the Magpie emerges as a tactically versatile card that can disrupt your opponent’s rhythm. This unique card shines in decks designed to exploit its flying and return-to-hand ability. To effectively counter this elusive creature, one should consider utilizing instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can address the threat before it has the opportunity to bounce back to the opponent’s hand.

Another strategy would be to apply continuous pressure by establishing a robust board presence that can endure Lagrella’s interruptions. Cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben can impede your opponent’s tempo by making spells cost more. This, in turn, restrains their ability to maximize Lagrella’s ability to control the battlefield. Alternatively, applying graveyard disruption through cards like Rest in Peace can negate the benefits gained from the returning creatures or spells, thus rendering Lagrella’s ability less formidable.

Adjusting your deck to include versatile responses will enhance your resilience against Lagrella, the Magpie. Utilizing efficient removal, increasing the casting costs for your opponent’s spells, and minimizing graveyard interactions are key methods for maintaining the upper hand against this shrewd bird in MTG play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lagrella, the Magpie MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Lagrella, the Magpie and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lagrella, the Magpie Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 3142015NormalBlackSerena Malyon
22022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 3792015NormalBlackSerena Malyon
32022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 1962015NormalBlackDonato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lagrella, the Magpie has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-04-29 The last part of Lagrella's ability is a delayed triggered ability that is set up as its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves. It will trigger when Lagrella leaves the battlefield even if it's somehow lost its abilities or become a copy of something else.
2022-04-29 “This way” refers to cards entering the battlefield as a result of Lagrella leaving the battlefield.