Deceiver Exarch MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Cleric
Abilities Flash
Power 1
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. The card excels in control decks, disrupting opponents while preserving card economy and synergizing with game-winning combos.
  2. Deceiver Exarch’s ability to untap or tap at instant speed allows players to maintain momentum and surprise against opponents.
  3. While versatile, its specific mana cost and potential to slow tempo can be challenging in fast-paced matches.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) When Deceiver Exarch enters the battlefield, choose one — Untap target permanent you control; or tap target permanent an opponent controls.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deceiver Exarch excels at providing an edge in control matchups, as it can untap a significant permanent or temporarily disrupt an opponent’s strategy without losing card economy. Through its synergies with other cards, it often leads to game-winning combinations.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana, the surprise untap of lands or key artifacts can effectively act as a force multiplier for your resources, allowing you to accelerate your plays or maintain mana for crucial counterplays at instant speed.

Instant Speed: The speed at which Deceiver Exarch operates is pivotal. Being able to flash in this creature at the end of an opponent’s turn not only keeps them on their toes but also enables you to maximize your mana usage and keep up the pressure in your game plan, all while staying ready to respond to any threat swiftly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Deceiver Exarch does not directly ask for a card to be discarded, its utilization might lead to discard decisions to make room for it in your optimal line of play. This can potentially be a downside during tight game situations, especially when every card in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Deceiver Exarch demands a precise mana combination to be cast – one blue and two generic mana. This requirement can sometimes restrict the decks it fits into, primarily favoring blue-centric decks or those with reliable mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for its abilities, Deceiver Exarch may be seen as less efficient compared to lower-cost creatures that fulfill a similar role. Although its utility is significant, in faster-paced games, this mana investment can impact your overall tempo detrimentally.


Reasons to Include Deceiver Exarch in Your Collection

Versatility: Deceiver Exarch is a flexible card that can be slotted into an array of blue-focused decks. Its flash ability allows you to play it at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your options open while subtly preparing for your own moves.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combo decks, particularly with the infamous “Splinter Twin” combo that can create an infinite number of copies for a game-ending move. It also pairs well with other cards that untap permanents, enabling unexpected plays and interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Deceiver Exarch remains a noteworthy choice for players in formats where the metagame includes decks that rely on tapping or untapping creatures as a strategy. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ plans while setting the stage for your own win con keeps it relevant in competitive play.


How to beat

The Deceiver Exarch card is a unique creature within the Magic: The Gathering universe with its ability to either untap a permanent or tap a potential blocker when it enters the battlefield. While it’s integral to renowned combos, overcoming this card requires timely disruption and strategic removal. Utilizing instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push when the Exarch is cast can prevent the card from fulfilling its role in a combo. Since its power lies in entering the battlefield, countering it with cards like Essence Scatter also proves to be a viable tactic.

In games against decks that utilize Deceiver Exarch, keeping mana open for these responses is vital, especially during critical turns when your opponent might attempt to execute their combo. Moreover, because the Exarch is often a precursor to a game-ending combination, leveraging hand disruption such as Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek to preemptively remove it from your opponent’s hand can be a preemptive strike worth considering. Additionally, graveyard disruption tools like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can be instrumental if your opponent has means to recur the Exarch from the graveyard.

Ultimately, staying vigilant and prepared with appropriate countermeasures allows for maintaining control over the board and preventing the Deceiver Exarch from tipping the scales in your opponent’s favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves not only collecting powerful cards like Deceiver Exarch but also understanding the strategies where they excel. Whether you’re crafting a new blue-focused deck or seeking to strengthen your existing setup, the Exarch’s flexibility and instant-speed capabilities could be just what you need. Interested in unlocking new combinations or finding ways to optimize your resource acceleration during gameplay? Dive into our in-depth guides and enhance your collection with cards that align with evolving MTG metagames. Make each play count and discover how Deceiver Exarch can turn the tide in your favor. Learn more with us.


Cards like Deceiver Exarch

Deceiver Exarch is a dynamic force in MTG, offering utility that’s hard to match. Among its kin, Restoration Angel shines with a similar effect, providing the immediate advantage of flickering a creature upon entry — an invaluable tactic for reusing enter-the-battlefield abilities. Unlike Deceiver Exarch that untaps a permanent and comes with flash, Restoration Angel also carries flight for board presence.

Pestermite rivals the Exarch in many decks. It shares the flash capability and can tap or untap a permanent, though it trades off its power and toughness for flying ability. Lastly, Zealous Conscripts boasts a broader effect, commandeering any target permanent and granting haste until end of turn. However, its single use and higher casting cost limit its recurrence compared to the persistent Exarch.

In the fabric of MTG, where tempo and surprise plays can define a match, Deceiver Exarch threads its niche perfectly due to its versatility and synergies in deckbuilding. It’s not just a creature; it’s a multi-purpose tool that fits into complex strategies involving untapping mechanics.

Restoration Angel - MTG Card versions
Pestermite - MTG Card versions
Zealous Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Restoration Angel - Avacyn Restored Promos (PAVR)
Pestermite - Lorwyn (LRW)
Zealous Conscripts - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Cards similar to Deceiver Exarch by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
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Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
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Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Reef Pirates - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Clam Session - Unglued (UGL)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deceiver Exarch MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Commander 2013, 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 Deceiver Exarch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Deceiver Exarch Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Izzy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 332003normalblackIzzy
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 372003normalblackIzzy
32015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 222015normalblackIzzy
42016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 1062015normalblackIzzy
52017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 362015normalblackIzzy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Deceiver Exarch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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