Altac Bloodseeker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Berserker
Released	2014-07-18
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2015
Set code	M15
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	128
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cynthia Sheppard

Key Takeaways

Generates value by gaining haste and power boost when opponents’ creatures die, without additional card costs.
Indirectly accelerates your board state by pressuring opponents to misuse resources and deterring creature play.
Combines well with instant-speed spells to maximize combat phase potential, enhancing responsive play strategies.

Text of card

Whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, Altac Bloodseeker gets +2/+0 and gains first strike and haste until end of turn. (It deals combat damage before creatures without first strike, and it can attack and as soon as it comes under your control.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Altac Bloodseeker may not directly allow you to draw cards, but it shines in generating value through its ability to become a formidable threat. When a creature an opponent controls dies, Altac Bloodseeker gains haste and a power boost until end of turn, potentially turning each combat phase to your advantage without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not a traditional form of resource acceleration like ramp spells or mana dorks, Altac Bloodseeker accelerates your board state by putting pressure on your opponent. This can force them to expend resources prematurely or deter them from playing creatures that easily fall in combat, indirectly accelerating your route to victory.

Instant Speed: This fierce warrior doesn’t have instant speed itself, but it synergizes well with instant-speed removal spells. By casting such spells during your opponent’s turn, you can ensure that Altac Bloodseeker is primed to attack with increased might, creating a dynamic that encourages smart, responsive play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Altac Bloodseeker doesn’t require a discard directly, but it does necessitate that other creatures die to trigger its abilities. This can be disadvantageous in games where you’re attempting to maintain a robust board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: The Bloodseeker demands a precise mana alignment, costing two red mana in its casting cost. This can restrict the card’s integration into multi-colored decks where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, the Bloodseeker’s abilities might seem cost-effective initially. However, when considering the card’s 2/2 stats and its reliance on other game events to activate its benefits, it becomes evident that some players may opt for creatures with immediate impact or lower cost-value ratios.

Reasons to Include Altac Bloodseeker in Your Collection

Versatility: Altac Bloodseeker is a dynamic addition to any collection, capable of fitting seamlessly into red aggressive decks or as a responsive card for those looking to capitalize on opponents’ actions.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to gain haste and deal extra damage offers excellent synergy with sacrifice-based strategies or any situation where creatures are regularly dying, turning each opponent’s loss into your gain.

Meta-Relevance: With creature-focused decks commonly found in the meta, Altac Bloodseeker stands out as a card that can quickly pivot from steady pressure to an explosive threat when the board changes.

How to beat

Altac Bloodseeker is an interesting creature card in Magic: The Gathering that thrives in an environment where opponents frequently see their creatures leaving the battlefield. Altac Bloodseeker becomes a significant threat when leveraging its haste ability, especially when an opponent’s creature was lost during their last turn.

To effectively combat Altac Bloodseeker, consider cards that control the timing and conditions of creature destruction. Rather than employing sorcery-speed removal, which would play into the Bloodseeker’s strength, consider using instant-speed removal or bounce effects during your turn. This way, the Bloodseeker’s ability is nullified since no creature was destroyed on the last turn of your opponent. The strategic use of counterspells or protective spells like ‘Gods Willing’ can also ensure that Bloodseeker’s abilities never activate, maintaining your control over the game.

Moreover, minimizing the number of creatures lost during your turn is a solid strategy. By using non-creature spells or strategies that don’t hinge on creatures, you can effectively sidestep Altac Bloodseeker’s triggering conditions. Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the Bloodseeker’s power spikes will help maintain an edge in battle, ensuring its abilities are more of a detriment to your opponent than a boon.

Cards like Altac Bloodseeker

Altac Bloodseeker fits neatly into the niche of aggression-focused creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to berserker cards like Bloodrage Brawler, which shares the trait of rewarding players for a specific style of play – in Brawler’s case, by offering a substantial creature for a lower cost at the expense of discarding a card. Altac Bloodseeker, however, hinges on the condition of an opponent having lost a creature this turn to unlock its potential.

Exploring other similar cards, we encounter War-Name Aspirant, which benefits from the raid mechanic and gains advantage if you attacked with a creature on the turn you cast it. While War-Name Aspirant boasts a potential boost in power, Altac Bloodseeker instead provides a tactical advantage by gaining haste and dealing additional damage. As for Valley Dasher, another hasty creature, it must attack each turn if able, which is a different kind of aggressive push compared to the conditional power boost of the Bloodseeker.

These comparisons elucidate Altac Bloodseeker’s unique position within MTG, blending conditional power increases with haste to bring an opportunistic edge to any red deck capitalizing on creature removal.

Cards similar to Altac Bloodseeker by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Altac Bloodseeker MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015, 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 Altac Bloodseeker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Altac Bloodseeker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-07-18	If a combat phase has two combat damage steps (because there’s an attacker or blocker with first strike or double strike), Altac Bloodseeker may gain first strike during the first one. If this happens, it will assign combat damage in the second combat damage step along with other creatures that haven’t assigned combat damage during that combat.
2014-07-18	If the ability triggers multiple times in a single turn, the power bonuses are cumulative, but the additional instances of first strike and haste are redundant.