Masked Blackguard MTG Card
Text of card
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) : Masked Blackguard gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Her footsteps are whispers, her passage a last breath.
Cards like Masked Blackguard
Masked Blackguard adds a strategic layer to creature plays in the realm of MTG. This stealthy character bears comparison with other two-drop creatures like Typhoid Rats, which also dabbles in the shadow with its deathtouch ability. Masked Blackguard, however, trades deathtouch for flexibility, allowing you to bolster its stats temporarily to sway the combat in your favor.
Thieves’ Guild Enforcer is another analogous card, flourishing in decks that thrive on rogue synergy. Both creatures can thrive in a deck filled with shady characters, but while the Enforcer can potentially grow much larger over time, the Blackguard offers immediate, albeit temporary, power and toughness augmentation.
In weighing similar cards, the appeal of Masked Blackguard in MTG shines through its ability to adapt to various battlefield scenarios, granting the player tactical advantage when it matters most. Its instant-speed ability to become a more formidable blocker or attacker can turn the tides of combat, a nuance that gives it an edge in certain strategies.
Cards similar to Masked Blackguard by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Masked Blackguard doesn’t inherently draw cards or create card advantage directly, its ability enables repeated usage to outpace an opponent’s card utility. The potential to recur from the graveyard also ensures that it doesn’t become a one-time resource, thereby indirectly contributing to maintaining card presence.
Resource Acceleration: The Masked Blackguard might not seem like a traditional resource accelerant. However, its low mana cost and the ability to sneak onto the battlefield at instant speed can free up mana for other strategic plays later in the game, optimizing your mana usage and accelerating your resource allocation.
Instant Speed: The Masked Blackguard shines with its Flash ability that allows you to deploy it at instant speed. This flexibility lets you hold up mana for counterspells or other interactions during your opponent’s turn and also allows you to surprise attackers or blockers, adding a level of unpredictability and tactical advantage to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Masked Blackguard requires players to part with another card from their hand to activate its ability. This can put players at a significant strategic disadvantage, especially in the late game when hand size is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The Masked Blackguard’s mana cost demands black mana, which could be restrictive for decks that aren’t primarily black or lack sufficient mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a condensed pool of resources in the early game, its mana cost can be deemed steep for its initial 2/3 stats, potentially overshadowed by more mana-efficient creatures.
Reasons to Include Masked Blackguard in Your Collection
Versatility: This creature offers flexibility as a two-drop with the ability to become stronger later in the game. It can slide into multiple black-centered decks, including those aiming for aggressive starts or those that need a reliable two-cost creature.
Combo Potential: Masked Blackguard works well with cards that revolve around +1/+1 counters and creatures that take advantage of being pumped. Its flash ability allows for surprise blocks or end-of-turn threats, making it a tactical option in various combos.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that appreciates resilient early creatures, Masked Blackguard stands out for its ability to stick around, thanks to its flash and pump ability. This resilience can be particularly relevant in metas dominated by removal-heavy decks.
How to beat
Masked Blackguard adds a layer of intrigue to the stealth-based mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature card boasts an ability to grow stronger during your turn, demanding an answer from opponents who risk significant damage if it’s left unchecked. Successfully dealing with Masked Blackguard often involves timing your removal spells when it is most vulnerable, typically during the opponent’s turn when its power boost is inactive.
Strategic use of instant-speed interaction is key. Consider employing spot removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile to efficiently dispatch the Blackguard before it can become a larger threat. Alternatively, utilizing counter magic such as Essence Scatter when the Blackguard is cast can prevent it from ever entering the battlefield. Remember, applying pressure and forcing the opponent to use mana to activate its ability on their turn leaves them less equipped to counteract your strategies.
To navigate past Masked Blackguard’s intimidation, an understanding of the flow of combat and keen timing of your spells is essential. This approach ensures that you maintain control and edge out over opponents utilizing this aggressive creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Masked Blackguard MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Ravnica: Clue Edition, 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 Masked Blackguard 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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Printings
The Masked Blackguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Bryan Sola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola | |
| 2 | 2024-02-23 | Ravnica: Clue Edition | CLU | 115 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Bryan Sola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Masked Blackguard 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 |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.