Notorious Assassin MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human Spellshaper Assassin
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	150
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Strategically removes opponents’ key creatures, potentially gaining card advantage through resource disruption.
Instant speed allows flexibility in play, providing tactical advantages during opponent’s turns.
Discard requirement and specific mana cost may pose constraints on deck construction and strategy implementation.

Text of card

o B, oc T, Discard a card from your hand: Destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated.

He wears his infamy like a fine silk shirt.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Notorious Assassin provides players with the strategic benefit of potentially removing key threats from the board, subtly tilting the scales in their favor. Each activation adds a layer of decision-making for the opponent, which can lead to a card advantage as they may need to commit more resources to protect their valuable creatures.

Resource Acceleration: While Notorious Assassin doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can disrupt opponents’ resource development by targeting mana-producing creatures. This can indirectly lead to acceleration in board presence and strategic advantage over time, as it hampers the opponent’s ability to deploy their strategy efficiently.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Notorious Assassin at instant speed enhances its versatility, allowing strategic planning to adapt to the state of the game. You can end step trigger its ability, which leaves your mana open during your turn for other impactful plays, all the while keeping up the pressure and allowing you to react on the fly to your opponent’s actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Notorious Assassin’s activation often necessitates discarding cards, which can be particularly taxing when your hand is running low on options. In scenarios where maintaining card advantage is critical, this requirement can become a stumbling block, potentially inhibiting your ability to sustain pressure on the opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: A deck that includes Notorious Assassin needs to be built with its particular mana requirements in mind, which includes a combination of black and other colors. This could limit the card’s versatility, as it’s not a natural fit for every strategy, especially for those decks that might want to stay mono-colored for consistency purposes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep mana cost for its capabilities, the Notorious Assassin vies for the slot against other valuable cards within the same cost bracket. Players might find that there are alternatives that provide similar or greater value without necessitating the additional strategic considerations brought about by the Assassin.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Notorious Assassin is a card that can easily slide into various deck archetypes. Its ability to disrupt opponent strategies while advancing your own board state makes it a valuable asset in both aggressive and control decks alike.

Combo Potential: The assassin’s skill to eliminate threats can work in tandem with other cards that thrive on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, paving the way for powerful synergies and unexpected combos.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play, Notorious Assassin holds its ground by being a reliable answer to numerous popular threats. Its presence can significantly alter the flow of a match, potentially tipping the scales in your favor.

How to beat

The Notorious Assassin is a card that rewards stealthy tactics and punishes unprepared opponents in the world of Magic: The Gathering. When facing this elusive adversary, your best strategy hinges on removal spells that can bypass its stealth abilities. Cards with the capacity to exile or force a sacrifice without targeting, such as Wrath of God or Innocent Blood, are excellent choices to level the playing field against this cunning threat.

It’s also wise to adjust your playstyle. Be reactive and wait for the moment when your opponent taps out to deploy their assassin. This opens a window for you to safely cast your non-targeting removal spells without fear of a swift and silent counterattack. Keeping the board clear of other creatures can also be advantageous, as it may force the Notorious Assassin to appear before it can establish a protective web of allies.

Ultimately, understanding and anticipating the Notorious Assassin’s movements will guide you to victory. Remember, it’s not just about the cards in your hand, it’s about staying one step ahead of your opponent’s plans. Denying them the element of surprise is key to ensuring that this assassin’s contract is left unfulfilled.

Cards like Notorious Assassin

Notorious Assassin brings a distinct dynamic to the board in the realm of removal cards in MTG. It shares some ground with other creature-based removal spells like Royal Assassin, which can also destroy a tapped creature. Unlike the Royal Assassin, Notorious Assassin allows players to play both offense and defense by effectively managing the board and keeping opponent’s threats in check.

Murderous Rider is another comparable card offering creature removal, with the twist of being an instant-speed spell and a creature with lifelink. While Notorious Assassin requires creatures to be tapped and may not provide life gain, it stands out due to its selective targeting, which could be more advantageous depending on the board state and matchup.

Finally, there’s Nekrataal, which has a similar destroy effect but executes immediately when it enters the battlefield, targeting nonartifact, nonblack creatures. Notorious Assassin’s advantage lies in its repeated use, potentially disrupting opponents’ tactics over multiple turns. Each of these cards offers unique nuances that cater to different strategies, making Notorious Assassin a versatile choice for ongoing control in the game.

Cards similar to Notorious Assassin by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Notorious Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Notorious Assassin and other MTG cards: