Rathi Assassin MTG Card
2000-02-14 - Number 67
2000-02-14 - Number 67
2002-06-24 - Number 32204
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Zombie Mercenary Assassin |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Rathi Assassin secures card advantage through board control and key threat elimination.
- Instant speed activation offers strategic flexibility and can surprise opponents.
- Despite its power, it demands careful resource management and setup.
Text of card
o1o Bo B, oc T: Destroy target tapped nonblack creature. o3, oc T: Search your library for a Mercenary card with converted mana cost 3 or less and put that card into play. Then shuffle your library.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rathi Assassin offers tactical benefits that can lead to a decisive card advantage. By controlling the board and eliminating key threats, it enables players to maintain an upper hand throughout the game, turning the tide in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Whilst not directly providing mana or tokens, the Rathi Assassin’s ability may reduce the need for spending additional resources on removal spells, indirectly speeding up your game plan by freeing resources for other strategic moves.
Instant Speed: Rathi Assassin can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn. This can disrupt their strategy and give you the element of surprise, potentially saving your own creatures from threats or countering opponent’s moves right when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Rathi Assassin card mandates a discard from the player as part of the activation cost, which can deplete hand resources, potentially leaving players at a disadvantage if they lack a sustained card draw mechanism.
Specific Mana Cost: Rathi Assassin comes with a specific mana requirement that necessitates both black and generic mana, making it less flexible and thus harder to incorporate into multicolored decks that may run tighter on black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Whichever abilities Rathi Assassin possesses, its effectiveness is weighed against its mana investment. Given its high mana demands, players might find it less appealing when considering other assassin or removal options in the game that offer either lower costs or more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rathi Assassin provides flexible utility in decks that focus on creature control. It can be a strategic addition to any collection due to its capacity to threaten the board by targeting and potentially eliminating key creatures your opponents control.
Combo Potential: With its assassinate ability, Rathi Assassin works well in combinations that look to remove troublesome creatures. It synergizes with cards that benefit from death triggers or require tapping creatures as part of their cost.
Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of creature-based strategies in many game formats, having Rathi Assassin in your deck offers you a recurring solution to address potential threats. It can be especially useful in games where maintaining board control is crucial for victory.
How to beat
Rathi Assassin, like many cards in Magic: The Gathering, presents a flurry of challenges on the battlefield. This elusive creature, with its powerful removal ability, can take control of the game if not addressed promptly. To counter this threat, the first step is to limit the Assassin’s activation opportunities. Keep in mind that the Rathi Assassin requires significant mana investment and time to utilize its ability. Playing aggressively and putting pressure on your opponent early can divert their mana usage elsewhere.
Enchantment and artifact removal spells are valuable tools against the Rathi Assassin. They can dismantle the support structures that enable the Assassin’s full potential, such as equipment cards that increase survivability or mana acceleration artifacts. Board wipes are equally effective, as they can bypass the regeneration capability of Rathi Assassin, hence removing it without the need to target it directly. Remember that timing your spells to disrupt the opponent’s strategy is essential, and a well-timed removal can swing the momentum in your favor.
Ultimately, knowing the deck that utilizes Rathi Assassin and understanding your own deck’s strengths is key. Adapt your playstyle to be proactive and responsive, and Rathi Assassin’s threat can be mitigated, keeping you on a path to victory.
Cards like Rathi Assassin
Rathi Assassin is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers a blend of creature removal and deathtouch. When analyzing similar cards, Royal Assassin stands out as a classic comparison with its ability to destroy tapped creatures. Although the Rathi Assassin requires a more substantial mana investment and the echo cost, it compensates with its deathtouch trait, adding extra threat to any blocking situation or when attacked.
Another card that echoes the qualities of Rathi Assassin is Avatar of Woe. Although with a higher mana cost, Avatar of Woe can take down creatures without the need for them to be tapped, and it also has an easier activation conditional on the number of creature cards in all graveyards. This capability makes it versatile in a broader range of scenarios compared to Rathi Assassin’s more restricted assassination requirement.
Exploring other corners of the MTG realm finds Nekrataal, which has a come-into-play ability directly destroying a nonartifact, nonblack creature. While Nekrataal doesn’t offer continuous removal like Rathi Assassin, its immediate impact can rapidly shift the dynamics of the game. Each card ultimately offers tactical advantages that savvy players can leverage depending on the game situation and overall deck strategies.
Cards similar to Rathi Assassin by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rathi Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Nemesis Promos, 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 Rathi Assassin 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
Printings
The Rathi Assassin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2000-02-14. Illustrated by Dana Knutson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-02-14 | Nemesis | NEM | 67 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson | |
| 2 | 2000-02-14 | Nemesis Promos | PNEM | 67 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson | |
| 3 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 32204 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dana Knutson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rathi Assassin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rathi Assassin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Because the “search” requires you to find a card with certain characteristics, you don’t have to find the card if you don’t want to. |
