Master Decoy MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 29
1999-11-12 - Number 44
2003-07-28 - Number 29
2003-07-28 - Number 29★
2005-07-29 - Number 27
2005-07-29 - Number 27★
2014-09-05 - Number 50
2015-05-06 - Number 18
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
o W, oc T: Tap target creature.
"A skilled decoy can throw your enemies off your trail. A master decoy can survive to do it again." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*
Cards like Master Decoy
Master Decoy stands out in its role as a defensive creature within the expansive library of Magic: The Gathering cards. It draws parallels with cards such as Veteran Armorer, which also provides a defensive advantage with its ability to boost the toughness of your other creatures. Master Decoy, however, offers direct control over the battlefield, giving you the power to tap an attacking or blocking creature, which can be pivotal at crucial moments during a match.
Examining further, Gideon’s Lawkeeper is another close relative in terms of functionality. Both cards share the same tapping ability, yet Gideon’s Lawkeeper demands less mana for its activation allowing for more flexibility in your plays. Conversely, Master Decoy requires additional mana but boasts a sturdier body on the battlefield. Then there is Blinding Mage, which showcases a similar tapping ability, but unlike Master Decoy, it can be used multiple times in a single turn if enough mana is available, potentially locking down an opponent’s key creature.
Overall, while analyzing various cards with similar abilities, Master Decoy remains a competitive option for control strategies, especially for players seeking a balance between utility and board presence in their deck’s creature lineup.
Cards similar to Master Decoy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Master Decoy’s tapping ability can indirectly contribute to card advantage by neutralizing key threats from your opponent without expending additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Master Decoy can prolong the game, allowing players to reach critical mana thresholds to deploy game-changing spells.
Instant Speed: The utility of Master Decoy shines at instant speed, enabling you to react to opponents’ attacks and strategically decide when to neutralize their creatures, keeping you in control of the pace.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Master Decoy doesn’t directly require discarding cards, but its tap ability can make it harder to maintain card advantage, especially if you’re forced to keep it untapped to deter attacks.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two specific white mana in its casting cost, the Master Decoy can be challenging to cast on curve in multicolored decks that are not heavily white-based.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 1/2 creature, the two mana investment can be steep considering other creatures in the same cost range could offer greater offensive or defensive capabilities without needing to be manually activated.
Reasons to Include Master Decoy in Your Collection
Versatility: Master Decoy is a flexible tool in your MTG arsenal, adept at controlling the battlefield by tapping potential threats. Its capacity to fit into various deck themes, especially ones that prioritize defensive tactics, makes it a sleeper hit for your collection.
Combo Potential: When paired with equipment or auras that enhance its survivability, Master Decoy’s repeating tap ability can become the cornerstone of a lockdown strategy, disrupting your opponent’s offense and setting up favorable conditions for your victory.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to consistently neutralize key creatures, Master Decoy remains relevant in metas crowded with aggressive creatures. It can be a simple yet effective solution against decks that rely on combat to secure a win, underscoring its enduring utility in versatile defensive strategies.
How to beat
Master Decoy, a clever card in the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, presents an interesting tactical challenge. As a utility creature, it can consistently tap an opponent’s creature, thereby ensuring that your paths to victory remain clear. To outmaneuver this pesky card, one needs to adopt an effective strategy.
Consider using removal spells that can bypass its ability such as Murder or Doom Blade, efficiently dispatching the Decoy before it becomes a nuisance. Alternatively, mass removal spells like Wrath of God clear the board, including creatures like Master Decoy that hide behind their abilities. If the strategy leans more towards control, counterspells can preemptively keep the Decoy from hitting the battlefield altogether.
Lastly, one should not underestimate the power of instant speed interaction. Being able to act on your opponent’s turn can disrupt their plans, and in the case of Master Decoy, using a spell like Lightning Bolt in response to its activation can eliminate the threat before it affects the board state. Master Decoy can be a roadblock, but with the right spells and timing, one can navigate past it towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Master Decoy MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Battle Royale Box Set, 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 Master Decoy 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 Master Decoy Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 29 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Phil Foglio | |
| 2 | 1999-11-12 | Battle Royale Box Set | BRB | 44 | 1997 | Normal | White | Phil Foglio | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 29 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 29★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 5 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 27 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ben Thompson | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 27★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 7 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ben Thompson | |
| 8 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 18 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Phil Foglio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Master Decoy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |