Midnight Crusader Shuttle MTG Card
2023-10-13 - Number 784
2023-10-13 - Number 179
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact — Vehicle |
| Abilities | Crew,Midnight Entity |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Midnight Entity — Whenever Midnight Crusader Shuttle attacks, defending player faces a villainous choice — That player sacrifices a creature, or you gain control of a creature of your choice that player controls until end of turn. If you gain control of a creature this way, tap it, and it's attacking that player. Crew 2
Cards like Midnight Crusader Shuttle
Midnight Crusader Shuttle joins the fray of creature-based utility cards in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of cards such as Pilgrim’s Eye. Like our Midnight Crusader Shuttle, Pilgrim’s Eye can search your library for a basic land card, ensuring consistent land drops. However, what Midnight Crusader Shuttle brings to the table is a distinct edge with its flying ability, allowing for potential evasion on the battlefield which Pilgrim’s Eye lacks.
Another card that echoes the functions of Midnight Crusader Shuttle is Kor Cartographer. This card also aids in ramping up the land count but delivers those lands directly onto the battlefield. Though Kor Cartographer offers an immediate advantage in land placement, it does so at a higher mana cost and without the flying trait that makes Midnight Crusader Shuttle a flexible choice during gameplay.
Deciding between these cards comes down to specific deck strategies and needs. While Midnight Crusader Shuttle provides an immediate flying blocker and guaranteed land draw, others like Kor Cartographer accelerate mana growth. Despite their functional similarities, Midnight Crusader Shuttle stands out with its balance of flight power and consistent land draw capability.
Cards similar to Midnight Crusader Shuttle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Midnight Crusader Shuttle shines when it comes to ensuring you’re not falling behind in the game by letting you sift through your deck efficiently. You get to not only draw a card but also to exile a card from your hand, keeping your options flexible and your hand refreshed.
Resource Acceleration: This card serves as an enabler for decks that capitalize on resource acceleration. By producing a Spirit token, it provides immediate board presence which can be used for various in-game advantages, including but not limited to mana ramp strategies.
Instant Speed: The versatility of playing the card at instant speed allows you to adapt to the flow of the match, making tactical decisions in response to your opponent’s moves. This flexibility ensures that you are utilizing your mana efficiently at critical moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Midnight Crusader Shuttle requires the player to discard a card to utilize its full potential. This cost can be steep, especially in the late game when a player’s hand might be running low, reducing their ability to maintain card advantage against the opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: This card calls for a particular mana combination to cast, making it a less flexible option for decks that aren’t closely aligned with its color identity. Players running a multicolored deck may find it challenging to meet the mana requirements consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost of the Midnight Crusader Shuttle might be seen as prohibitive. Even though the abilities it confers are powerful, the initial investment could lead to a slower start, reducing its effectiveness in faster-paced games where efficiency and tempo are crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Midnight Crusader Shuttle is a flexible option for deck builders, adapting well to various strategies that value artifact interaction or creature advantages. Its capacity to fit into multiple archetypes makes it a valuable asset in both casual and competitive decks.
Combo Potential: With its ability to interact with graveyard mechanics, this card opens up the potential for synergies with reanimation tactics or any strategy that thrives on recycling resources. This can create powerful combinations that may tip the scales in your favor during gameplay.
Meta-Relevance: Given that MTG’s dynamic play environments often fluctuate, having cards that can perform consistently against popular deck archetypes is crucial. Midnight Crusader Shuttle holds its ground in environments where artifacts and graveyard strategies are prevalent.
How to Beat
The Midnight Crusader Shuttle weaves its way into MTG games as a unique artifact, offering an alternative approach to creature utility. At a glance, the Shuttle might seem like an efficient way to bolster your defenses, but seasoned players know that every card has its counterbalance. To outmaneuver this card, one must prioritize removal spells that can target artifacts directly, such as Abrade or a straightforward Disenchant, which can dispatch the Shuttle before its ability is ever utilized. When facing artifacts, counterplay hinges on timing and the element of surprise.
Furthermore, the inclusion of artifact hate cards in your sideboard, like Stony Silence or Karn, the Great Creator, whose static abilities can nullify artifact strategies, provides a robust line of defense against cards like the Midnight Crusader Shuttle. Direct interaction isn’t the only pathway to victory; sometimes, applying pressure with an aggressive creature-based strategy can outpace the utility that such an artifact provides, compelling your opponent to use their resources defensively rather than setting up their intended plays.
Thus, successful navigation through an MTG match often requires foresight and the ability to adapt to artifacts like the Midnight Crusader Shuttle. The key lies in preparedness and finding the perfect window to render their advantages moot.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Midnight Crusader Shuttle MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, 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 Midnight Crusader Shuttle 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 Midnight Crusader Shuttle Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by Evan Shipard.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 784 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evan Shipard | |
| 2 | 2023-10-13 | Doctor Who | WHO | 179 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evan Shipard |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Midnight Crusader Shuttle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Midnight Crusader Shuttle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-10-13 | A player facing a villainous choice can always choose either option, even if one or both of the options are impossible. For example, if one of the options is to sacrifice a creature, a player who controls no creatures can still choose that option. |
| 2023-10-13 | If a spell or ability requires multiple players to face a villainous choice, the result is a little different from other effects in Magic. In that case, the first player in turn order makes their choice and the action for that choice is performed before the next player makes their choice. Then each of the remaining players repeat this process in turn order. |
| 2023-10-13 | When a creature becomes attacking this way, it wasn't declared as an attacker, so triggered abilities that trigger when a creature attacks won't trigger. Similar, all restrictions or costs to attack are ignored. For example, if the chosen creature has defender, it could still end up being an attacking creature this way. |
| 2023-10-13 | When a player faces a villainous choice, they first choose one of the two options, then all actions in the chosen option are performed. |