Marchesa's Smuggler MTG Card

Makes creatures unblockable, offering tactical advantages and improved card draw opportunities. Activates unexpected combat phase plays, but requires careful hand management due to discard. Can be pivotal in decks utilizing dethrone and counters, boosting meta relevance and combo potential.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Rogue
Abilities	Dethrone
Released	2014-06-06
Set symbol
Set name	Conspiracy
Set code	CNS
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	50
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dan Scott

Text of card

Dethrone (Whenever this creature attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, put a +1/+1 counter on it.) : Target creature you control gains haste until end of turn and can't be blocked this turn.

"Watch your head . . . and your back."

Cards like Marchesa's Smuggler

Marchesa’s Smuggler stands out in the realm of MTG cards with the distinctive ability to make creatures unblockable for a turn. In the same category, we have Rogue’s Passage, an exceptional land card, which also has the capability to render a creature unable to be blocked, albeit at a higher activation cost. Both grant that vital edge during combat to deal decisive player damage.

Conduits of the Underworld also mirrors Marchesa’s Smuggler in terms of granting unblockable status to creatures, but it comes with an additional mechanic involving proliferate, offering strategic depth and synergy with counter-based decks. Inversely, Submerge provides a temporary solution by bouncing the opposing creature back to the owner’s library, delaying the unblockability and potential threat for a short while.

Evaluating these cards within the dynamics of MTG, Marchesa’s Smuggler’s ability to consistently turn creatures unblockable can tilt the scales in a player’s favor, making it a formidable card choice for those looking to secure their combat phase and push through crucial damage to their opponents.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Marchesa’s Smuggler provides players with the ability to sneak through defenses, potentially granting access to additional cards by enabling unblocked attacks—particularly beneficial in formats where drawing more resources can tip the scales.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasures, Marchesa’s Smuggler can be crucial in resource acceleration strategies by facilitating quicker combat damage, which in turn can trigger numerous artifacts and abilities that reward players when damage is dealt to opponents.

Instant Speed: Its activated ability, while not at instant speed itself, can be utilized in the combat phase to create unexpected scenarios. This makes it akin to having an instant-speed effect that disrupts opponents’ plans, potentially leading to more advantageous board states right before the end of your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Marchesa’s Smuggler requires players to part with a card from their hand, a potentially risky move that could deplete valuable options.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Marchesa’s Smuggler necessitates specific color allocations, making it less flexible for decks that aren’t tailored to its color scheme.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a costlier investment for casting compared to other cards with similar effects, players might find that Marchesa’s Smuggler may impact their tempo and resource balance within a game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Marchesa’s Smuggler offers adaptability across various deck builds, shining in strategies focused on enhancing creature abilities and ensuring your valued permanents are returned to the battlefield with dethrone.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergy with enter-the-battlefield effects or decks that capitalize on counters, offering seamless integration with mechanics that manipulate the power dynamics on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where creature-based tactics are prevalent, the dethrone ability of Marchesa’s Smuggler can be a game-changer, allowing for strategic combat advantages and resilience against board wipes.

How to beat

Marchesa’s Smuggler may be a key piece in opponents’ strategies within Magic: The Gathering, offering both evasion and the ability to make creatures unblockable. To counter this, one might employ removal spells that bypass its ability, such as board wipes or spells that don’t target creatures directly. Timing is critical – it’s often best to cast these spells during your own turn to prevent the Smuggler from using its ability in response.

Enhancing your deck with spot removal cards that can eliminate key creatures regardless of their unblockable status is another tactic. In addition, using cards that restrict abilities or deny opponents’ tactical moves can undermine the use of Marchesa’s Smuggler. Consider incorporating your own countermeasures to regain the upper hand against this card – look for those that disrupt your opponent’s synergy or bolster your defenses against unblockable creatures.

In essence, a versatile and well-prepared deck can navigate around the challenges posed by Marchesa’s Smuggler. Effective counterplay hinges on having the right answers at the right time, which requires a balanced mixture of disruption and removal at your disposal.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Marchesa's Smuggler MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy, 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 Marchesa's Smuggler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Marchesa's Smuggler has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-05-29	Dethrone doesn’t trigger if the creature attacks a planeswalker, even if its controller has the most life.
2014-05-29	In a Two-Headed Giant game, dethrone will trigger if the creature attacks either player on the team with the most life or tied for the most life.
2014-05-29	Once dethrone triggers, it doesn’t matter what happens to the players’ life totals before the ability resolves. You’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature even if the defending player doesn’t have the most life as the ability resolves.
2014-05-29	The +1/+1 counter is put on the creature before blockers are declared.