Neurok Commando MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Abilities | Shroud |
| Released | 2011-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirrodin Besieged |
| Set code | MBS |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 28 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Matt Stewart |
Key Takeaways
- Card draw ability of Neurok Commando ensures a continuous flow of resources during matches.
- Requires an aggressive playstyle and careful mana base consideration due to its casting cost.
- Shroud ability adds resilience, making it a versatile and robust card in different situations.
Text of card
Shroud Whenever Neurok Commando deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card.
"There's no more time for secluded study. Answers are there only for those with the courage to take them."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Neurok Commando offers the valuable ability to draw a card each time it deals combat damage to a player. This ensures that you can continually replenish your hand, keeping the pressure on your opponents and maintaining an edge in resources throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, Neurok Commando’s card-drawing capability indirectly accelerates resources by increasing the likelihood of drawing into lands or mana-producing spells. This can be a subtle but potent form of acceleration as the game progresses.
Instant Speed: While Neurok Commando itself isn’t an instant, its Shroud ability encourages a playstyle that leverages instant speed spells. Since it can’t be the target of spells or abilities, you’re free to deploy other instants safely, knowing your Commando remains a consistent threat on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Neurok Commando boasts the ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player, it’s imperative to acknowledge that leveraging this benefit hinges on the necessity to attack each turn. This aggressive strategy may not always align with the player’s optimal game plan, especially if maintaining a defensive stance is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Neurok Commando demands a precise mana arrangement—one blue and two other mana. This can impose limitations in deck building, particularly if you’re aiming to create a deck with a flexible mana base or one that relies heavily on other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, which includes one of blue’s, Neurok Commando’s stats and abilities are to be weighed against other options available. Creatures in the three-mana slot often come with impactful abilities or higher stat lines, making Neurok Commando’s investment a careful consideration when constructing your deck to ensure optimal mana expenditure.
Reasons to Include Neurok Commando in Your Collection
Versatility: Neurok Commando offers flexibility as a blue creature, aligning well with decks that focus on drawing cards or require creatures with evasion. Its shroud ability makes it a resilient choice against targeted removal, suitable for various game situations.
Combo Potential: This card works seamlessly with strategies that reward card draw or combat damage to an opponent. Deck mechanics that focus on drawing can turn Neurok Commando into a recurring source of card advantage, enhancing its value within your strategic framework.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where non-creature spells and targeted removal are prevalent, Neurok Commando stands out. Its shroud ability ensures it remains a consistent threat on the board, while its card-drawing capability keeps your hand replenished, keeping pace with the demands of evolving MTG metas.
How to Beat Neurok Commando
The Neurok Commando poses a unique challenge on the battlefield with its blend of evasion and card draw. This blue creature card is known for its ability to slip past defenders with its shroud capability and deal combat damage to a player, consequently allowing its controller to draw a card. While this might make it seem daunting on first glance, overcoming this stealthy creature is all about strategy.
One effective tactic is to use spells or abilities that don’t target directly. Since shroud prevents targeting, utilizing board wipes like Day of Judgment or global effects that don’t discriminate between creatures will bypass Neurok Commando’s defenses. Moreover, implementing enchantments that affect all creatures regardless of their abilities, such as Meekstone, can restrain the Neurok Commando and hinder its attack potential. It’s also worth considering spells that force the opponent to sacrifice a creature, as these do not target and therefore bypass shroud as well.
Therefore, facing the Neurok Commando requires foresight and a proper selection of non-targeting removal or restrictive spells in your deck. By adapting your deck-building strategies and in-game tactics, the menacing stealth of Neurok Commando can certainly be mitigated. Keep in mind flexibility and a keen understanding of the rules surrounding non-targeted effects will be your best assets against this elusive adversary.
Cards like Neurok Commando
Neurok Commando stands out in the world of blue creatures in Magic the Gathering. This card echoes the traits of other unblockable creatures like Invisible Stalker yet possesses a unique blend of abilities. Where Invisible Stalker garners strength from its inherent hexproof and unblockability, Neurok Commando offers a draw benefit, though it lacks the same degree of protection. Each attack that goes unblocked when Neurok Commando is on the offensive translates to a fresh card for the player’s hand, feeding into the strategy of the deck.
Likewise, creatures such as Shadowmage Infiltrator carry a similar card advantage trait, but the Commando has the upper hand in terms of evasion. While Shadowmage requires mana for its unblockable nature, Neurok Commando slips past defenses merely by facing a creatureless opponent. Furthermore, Thada Adel, Acquisitor shares the Commando’s evasion in combat against opponents without artifacts but diverges by allowing its controller to extract artifacts from the opponent’s deck instead of drawing from their own.
When considering the blend of evasion and card advantage, Neurok Commando presents a unique proposition for players looking to maintain hand superiority while applying pressure with a creature difficult to block. It joins the MTG arena as a valuable component in decks that emphasize sustained attacks and strategic hand growth.
Cards similar to Neurok Commando by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Neurok Commando MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Neurok Commando and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Neurok Commando has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Neurok Commando card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | Only one card is drawn no matter how much combat damage was dealt. |
