Robber Fly MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Insect
Abilities	Flying
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	209
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Matson

Key Takeaways

Robber Fly excels in card advantage and can disrupt opponents tactically at instant speed.
While powerful, its need for a specific mana and discard requirement limits flexibility.
It boasts potential in various deck strategies, especially those focusing on noncreature spells.

Text of card

Flying Whenever Robber Fly becomes blocked, defending player discards his or her hand, then draws that many cards.

In pursuit of the juicy fly, Squee stumbled on the hidden hangar.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Refilling your hand is crucial in MTG, and Robber Fly excels at this. It not only adds a creature to your battlefield but potentially disrupts your opponent’s strategy by peering into their hand and giving you a card that can tip the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Some cards are all about getting you ahead swiftly, and that’s where Robber Fly shines. While it doesn’t produce mana or tokens directly, casting it off your opponent’s actions can save you resources, effectively accelerating your game plan without expending additional resources from your hand.

Instant Speed: Flexibility can make or break a match. With Robber Fly, the ability to act at instant speed grants you the power to adapt to the evolving game board, bait out your opponent’s moves, and deploy tactics at the most opportune moments, all while staying on curve and maintaining pressure.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Robber Fly necessitates the player to discard a card to utilize its ability, posing a challenge when hand resources are scarce or if all cards in hand are crucial for future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost demanding both black and green, Robber Fly is not as flexible, restricting it to decks that can reliably produce both colors of mana, potentially excluding it from mono-colored or certain multicolored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Robber Fly comes with a relatively steep mana investment. For the same cost, players could access other creatures or spells that have an immediate impact on the game state or provide more substantial long-term advantages.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Robber Fly brings adaptability to various deck strategies. Its evasion and power-up ability when eating at instant speed allows it to be a surprise threat in multiple game scenarios.

Combo Potential: As a creature that can grow and gain keywords, Robber Fly synergizes with decks that exploit counters, making it a valuable combo piece in synergy-driven builds.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rife with high-impact instants and sorceries, Robber Fly’s capability to disrupt an opponent’s graveyard strategy ensures it remains a relevant and tactical choice against popular decks.

How to beat

Confronted with the Robber Fly on the battleground, MTG players must think tactically to ensure victory remains within reach. This creature card comes equipped with abilities that can quickly turn the tide of the match if left unchecked. To outmaneuver this winged menace, consider employing removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size or abilities. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile are examples of responsive plays that can swat it down without fuss.

Another strategy is to prevent the Robber Fly from ever taking flight. Counterspells are a blue mage’s best friend, and deploying one before the Robber Fly resolves can nip future problems in the bud. If the fly has already landed, tapping into enchantments that neutralize abilities, such as Pacifism or Frogify, will dampen its impact on the game, reducing it to a mere placeholder on the board without its pesky features.

It’s essential to stay vigilant, as the Robber Fly is known for its flying capability and potential to amplify other creatures’ power through buffs. Prioritize maintaining control over the game by neutralizing threats early, and you’ll likely keep the Robber Fly and its swarm at bay, securing your path to victory.

Cards like Robber Fly

Robber Fly is an intriguing card that offers Magic: The Gathering players a unique blend of abilities. When compared to other creatures within the same mana range, Robber Fly delivers both utility and aggression. For instance, cards like Baleful Strix provide an immediate card draw and deathtouch, but lack the ability to grow stronger as Robber Fly can with its prowess ability which increases its power with noncreature spells cast.

Looking at cards such as Thermo-Alchemist, players may draw parallels in the way Robber Fly also interacts with spells. While Thermo-Alchemist is known for its ability to repeatedly deal damage when casting instants or sorceries, Robber Fly’s prowess makes it a potential threat in combat, growing bigger each time an instant or sorcery is played. Additionally, flying creatures like Cloudkin Seer offer card draw but do not have the same potential for increased damage output as Robber Fly.

Ultimately, Robber Fly stands out for its potential synergy in decks that play numerous noncreature spells. Its flying capability paired with the prowess effect enables it to be a significant attacker in the right deck, providing an interesting option for players who favor spell-heavy strategies.

Cards similar to Robber Fly by color, type and mana cost

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Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

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Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Robber Fly 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 Robber Fly and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Robber Fly has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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