Malcator's Watcher MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Drone |
| Abilities | Flying, Vigilance |
| Released | 2023-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
| Set code | ONE |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 58 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason A. Engle |
Text of card
Flying, vigilance When Malcator's Watcher dies, draw a card.
Each of the Gitaxian sectives watches the others, looking for any hint of imperfection.
Cards like Malcator's Watcher
Malcator’s Watcher adds strategic depth to creature control in Magic: The Gathering. Reflecting on its similarities with other creatures, we can consider Azure Mage, which also presents an ability that can be activated at instant speed to draw a card. Nonetheless, Malcator’s Watcher is unique in its ability to surveil rather than draw, subtly shaping the deck and crafting your next moves without the immediate hand advantage Azure Mage provides.
When contemplating other counterparts, we encounter creatures like Augur of Bolas, which brings a different kind of card selection to the table. Upon entering the battlefield, it allows a look at the top three cards of your library, pulling an instant or sorcery card into your hand, whereas Malcator’s Watcher offers ongoing top-deck manipulation. Then, there’s Thassa’s Devourer, which brings a similar mechanic to the graveyard-focused strategies, pushing cards into the graveyard and enabling more complex interactions, but it lacks the controlled approach of Malcator’s Watcher’s surveil.
Ultimately, Malcator’s Watcher provides a nuanced tool in MTG that excels in giving players foresight and planning capabilities, setting it apart from creatures with superficially similar abilities but diverging in potential impact on gameplay.
Cards similar to Malcator's Watcher by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Malcator's Watcher. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeskai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024 | |
 | Esper Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
| Azorius Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Malcator’s Watcher enhances your gameplay by providing invaluable insight, granting you an extra card whenever you cast it from among the cards it reveals. This addition to your hand can often tip the scales to your favor, ensuring you stay ahead of the game.
Resource Acceleration: This powerful card allows you to skip ahead in the mana curve, potentially casting spells ahead of schedule by scrying and ensuring your next draws are more impactful. This can lead to a significant edge over your opponent by multiplying your effective resources.
Instant Speed: The agility of Malcator’s Watcher cannot be overstated—it operates at instant speed, providing great flexibility. This allows savvy players to adapt to the unfolding game, making strategic moves during the opponent’s turn, and optimizing the timing for disruptive plays or maximizing turn efficiency.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Malcator’s Watcher necessitates discarding another card from your hand which can be detrimental during game scenarios where maintaining hand advantage is crucial or if you’re already struggling with card availability.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana configuration to cast, which might not align seamlessly with all deck types. Players running multi-color decks could find this requirement particularly challenging to meet consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed to summon Malcator’s Watcher is relatively steep in comparison to other creatures with similar abilities. This can potentially slow down your gameplay, as allocating resources to this single card could lead to a delay in executing your overall strategy.
Reasons to Include Malcator’s Watcher in Your Collection
Versatility: Malcator’s Watcher brings valuable adaptability to your decks. This card functions exceptionally well in control decks, where maintaining hand advantage can be crucial. It can slip into a variety of blue-oriented strategies, bolstering your chances to counter key spells or draw into your winning conditions.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its unique abilities, Malcator’s Watcher has the capability to intertwine with clever synergies. It works seamlessly with mechanics that are triggered by casting spells during an opponent’s turn, amplifying both offensive and defensive game plans.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that’s always shifting, Malcator’s Watcher holds its worth. It’s particularly effective in the current meta where instant-speed interaction is valued, positioning it as a smart pick for anyone looking to enhance their gameplay against a wide array of popular strategies.
How to beat
Malcator’s Watcher, a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, offers players both a challenge and an opportunity for strategic gameplay. With the right approach, overcoming this card can shift the tide of any match. It’s about anticipating your opponent’s moves and countering them effectively. Key strategies include using instant speed removal spells to bypass its ability when it’s tapped. Also, employing creatures with hexproof or shroud can neutralize its targeting abilities, putting you at an advantage.
Providing flying blockers can also be an effective counter, as Malcator’s Watcher does not have evasive qualities. This card’s strength lies in its capacity to control the battlefield, but you can turn its tactical nature into a liability with a well-timed creature sacrifice or a board wipe when Malcator’s Watcher is vulnerable.
The balance in MTG often comes down to timing and resource management, so keeping up the pace and maintaining board presence against Malcator’s Watcher can be the key to your victory. By executing these strategies, players can neutralize the threat of Malcator’s Watcher and keep their game plan moving forward.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Malcator's Watcher MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Malcator's Watcher 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Malcator's Watcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.