Library Larcenist MTG Card
2020-07-03 - Number 55
2022-12-02 - Number 314
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Rogue |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Library Larcenist attacks, draw a card.
"I specialize in missing manuscripts, pilfered poetry, and lifted letters."
Cards like Library Larcenist
The Library Larcenist shines in its unique approach to card drawing in Magic: The Gathering. When you compare it to other creatures that also give you the advantage of drawing, such as Curiosity Crafter or Bident of Thassa, the Larcenist presents itself as a low-cost option that doesn’t require any prior setup or additional mana to trigger its effect. Simply attacking earns you a card, which can significantly shift the dynamics of the game in your favor.
Looking into the sphere of creatures with similar abilities, Looter il-Kor steps in as a counterpart, offering the loot effect, which allows you to draw and then discard a card. Though not a direct card advantage like Library Larcenist, it helps filter through your deck. Yet another parallel can be drawn with Thieving Magpie. While the Magpie guarantees a card draw on dealing combat damage, its higher casting cost and smaller power make Library Larcenist a more aggressive option.
Considering versatility and ease of activation, Library Larcenist finds its place among Magic: The Gathering cards that enhance card flow. It holds particular allure for players aiming to maintain card advantage without expending extra resources, thereby optimizing their game strategy with simple yet influential card interactions.
Cards similar to Library Larcenist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Library Larcenist lets you draw a card each time it deals combat damage to a player. This effect provides a repeating source of card advantage, consistently refilling your hand and giving you more options over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasures, Library Larcenist accelerates your resources by allowing you to access more cards. The more cards you have, the more likely you are to draw into the lands and spells needed to execute your strategy more efficiently.
Instant Speed: Although Library Larcenist itself is not an instant, linking it with instant-speed spells and abilities enhances its utility. You can play tricks during combat or respond to your opponents’ actions after they’ve dealt with your threats, thereby maximizing the impact of your larcenist’s attacks.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Library Larcenist has a beneficial ability to draw a card when it attacks, it necessitates other cards or effects to successfully bypass the opponent’s defenses. If your strategy fails, you may end up discarding valuable cards to keep fueling your attack, which can be risky if your hand is already depleting.
Specific Mana Cost: The requirement of blue mana to summon the Library Larcenist means that it’s primarily suited for blue or multicolor decks. This specificity can restrict deck building options for players who run mono-colored decks of a different hue or those who aim for a flexible mana base in multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Library Larcenist’s utility is debatable when compared to other three-mana creatures. Considering its relatively low toughness, alternatives may provide greater resilience on the battlefield or effects that can be more impactful from turn three onwards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Library Larcenist slides seamlessly into decks that relish card draw without a steep mana cost. Its ability to draw a card upon attacking makes it a must-have for decks looking to maintain hand advantage.
Combo Potential: This sneaky creature’s card drawing mechanism synergizes with spells and abilities that trigger upon drawing, making it a cog in the engine of combos in blue-centric or multicolor decks that exploit such synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right meta, where control decks might dominate with an abundant hand, Library Larcenist provides consistent card draw that fuels your strategy and keeps your options open turn after turn.
How to beat
Library Larcenist is a notable creature card in Magic: The Gathering that boosts its controller’s card advantage every time it attacks. The primary strategy to counteract Library Larcenist is to prevent it from attacking. This can be achieved through removal spells such as Shock or Fatal Push. Alternatively, blockers with reach or flying traits can deter attacks by posing a defensive threat.
Another effective tactic is to employ instant-speed removal or flash creatures to disrupt the attack phase, thus nullifying the card draw advantage. Counterspells can also serve as preventative measures, ensuring Library Larcenist never hits the battlefield to begin with. For those preferring a more direct approach, aggressive decks may overwhelm a Library Larcenist by rapidly reducing the opponent’s life total, making the card advantage less impactful in the scope of a short game.
In summary, a variety of methods exist to undermine the effectiveness of Library Larcenist in a match. Whether it’s through quick elimination, strategic blocking, or a swift offensive, maintaining the upper hand against this creature will inhibit its potential and keep your opponent from gaining the upper card draw advantage it provides.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Library Larcenist MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Library Larcenist and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Library Larcenist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Mila Pesic.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mila Pesic | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 314 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mila Pesic |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Library Larcenist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Library Larcenist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-06-23 | You may cast spells and activate abilities after the card has been drawn but before blockers are declared. |