Mugging MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 102
2020-07-17 - Number 352
2024-01-12 - Number 119
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Mugging deals 2 damage to target creature. That creature can't block this turn.
Scream: muffled. Pockets: emptied. Neck function: never the same again.
Cards like Mugging
Mugging is an intriguing spell that delivers direct damage and debilitation in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Shock, which also deals 2 damage to any target, but Mugging is limited to creatures and has the additional upside of preventing that creature from blocking this turn. Shock, conversely, provides more versatility by targeting players and planeswalkers as well.
Then there’s the slightly more expensive Flame Slash. While it doesn’t stop a creature from blocking, Flame Slash offers a hefty 4 damage to a creature for a single red mana, showcasing its superior removal capability. However, where Mugging shines is in its ability to affect combat, giving it a tactical edge in aggressive strategies.
Examining options, Mugging stands out when a player needs to clear a path for attacking creatures or mitigate potential blockers. Its specific targeting of creatures and block prevention makes it a useful card within red aggro decks looking to maintain pressure on the opponent.
Cards similar to Mugging by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unleashes the full potential of card efficiency by allowing the swift removal of an opponent’s creature, potentially disrupting their strategy and board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Mugging, while not directly providing mana or acceleration, ensures that you maintain tempo by dealing with early threats efficiently, allowing you to pivot your resources towards more significant plays.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Mugging requires strategic planning regarding the best time to deploy it during your turn, stimulating analytical play and foresight.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mugging requires you to have another creature on the battlefield to target, which may not always be possible, limiting its utility in situations where you’re facing an empty board or need to remove a blocker before an attack.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes red, Mugging’s use is restricted to decks that run mountains or have access to red mana, possibly hindering its inclusion in multi-color decks that don’t focus heavily on red.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the effect of simply dealing two damage to a target creature and preventing it from blocking, the cost can be a bit steep. There are other cards available that may offer similar or better effects for a more efficient mana investment, providing a better bang for the buck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mugging offers a straightforward yet effective removal option. It can disrupt early threats across a variety of matchups, showcasing its flexibility in both aggressive and control decks. Its ability to prevent the targeted creature from blocking can also turn the tides in a tight race.
Combo Potential: While not a combo card in the traditional sense, Mugging’s utility in removing blockers can enable other combinations in your deck to swing for lethal damage unimpeded, or to clear the way for your own combo pieces.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where fast, creature-based strategies are prevalent, Mugging earns its place. Its capability to handle early game threats can be especially pertinent. Whether the metagame calls for dealing with utility creatures or just maintaining tempo, it’s a card that has proven its worth time and again.
How to beat
Mugging is a targeted removal spell that’s earned its place in Magic: The Gathering for its precision in disrupting opponents’ early game creatures. It operates by dealing damage to a creature an opponent controls, ensuring that it can’t block this turn. While effective against small creatures, Mugging faces limitations due to its damage cap, which is insufficient against larger threats.
To navigate around Mugging, consider utilizing creatures with higher toughness that can withstand its damage. Another tactic is to deploy creatures with Hexproof or Shroud, as Mugging targets only creatures an opponent can target. Moreover, instant-speed protective spells like Gods Willing can save a creature in a pinch, granting it protection from red spells at the right moment. Lastly, playing a creature-heavy deck dilutes Mugging’s impact by presenting more targets than the opponent can manage, reducing its effectiveness as single-target removal.
Through strategic deck building and an understanding of the inherent weaknesses of Mugging, players can position themselves to minimize its disruption and maintain a robust board presence, thereby mitigating the potential drawbacks of this burn spell.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mugging MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Jumpstart, 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 Mugging 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 Mugging Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Greg Staples.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 102 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 2 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 352 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 3 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 119 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mugging has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |