Pilfer MTG Card

Advantage through reclaiming opponents’ cards can dramatically shift game dynamics in your favor. Instant speed allows strategic disruptions, offering versatile responses to opponents’ moves. The discard requirement and mana specificity can pose challenges to include Pilfer seamlessly.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery
Released	2022-09-09
Set symbol
Set name	Dominaria United
Set code	DMU
Number	102
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Pauline Voss

Text of card

Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards that card.

To the merchant, it was nothing more than a few missing trinkets. To Tinybones, it was the greatest heist of all time.

Cards like Pilfer

Pilfer from Magic: The Gathering offers a unique twist in the rogue’s arsenal. It’s akin to cards like Blightning, which also combines damage with the advantage of causing an opponent to discard. Nevertheless, Pilfer stands out with its targeting flexibility, enabling you to pick the player who discards. Blightning is locked to a single target and doesn’t share the same degree of control.

Further examination brings us to Recoil. This card also forces a discard, but adds a layer of control by returning a permanent to its owner’s hand first. Pilfer doesn’t directly affect the board state like Recoil, but it compensates with a lower mana cost and direct damage. Meanwhile, Mind Rot is another comparative card that forces two discards at sorcery speed without inflicting damage, making Pilfer a more aggressive option for players looking to deal both mental and physical blows.

Ultimately, Pilfer’s blended mechanic of dealing damage and disrupting the opponent’s hand offers a potent combination for players. It may not have the board impact of Recoil or the sheer discard quantity of Mind Rot, but in situations where chip damage is crucial, Pilfer shines among its counterparts.

Cards similar to Pilfer by color, type and mana cost

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Pilfer. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Golgari Midrange	Standard	Golgari Midrange	ReCQ - Standard - SCG CON Hartford - Saturday - 2:00 pm (Bronze)
Jund Control	Standard	Jund Reanimator	16 Day2
Abzan Ramp	Standard	Abzan Control	Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Esper Control	Standard	Esper Control	Japan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Orzhov Death & Taxes	Gladiator		Gladiator Games: We're Back
Mono-Black Midrange	Standard	Mono-Black Midrange	The Pizza Box Open: Standard

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pilfer elevates the gameplay by giving players the chance to reclaim cards from their opponent’s graveyard, effectively turning the tide by using the opponent’s resources against them.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers a unique twist on traditional mana gain by allowing you to cast the acquired cards, which can lead to unforeseen plays and a surge in your resource pool.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed nature means you can spring a surprise on your adversary, disrupting their plans at a moment’s notice and providing you with options when you need them most.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of employing Pilfer in your game plan is the obligatory discard. This cost demands players to forfeit another card in their hand, which could be counterproductive when dealing with a hand size that’s already strained.

Specific Mana Cost: Pilfer’s effectiveness is slightly limited by its particular mana requirements. The card demands a precise combination of mana types, which might not be readily available to all decks, potentially causing delays or even preventing it from being played at critical moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When examining the efficiency of mana investment, Pilfer’s cost does stand out. With a higher investment compared to other options in the MTG universe that might offer similar benefits, players have to carefully consider its impact on their overall strategy and whether it brings enough value to justify the slot in their deck.

Reasons to Include Pilfer in Your Collection

Versatility: Pilfer offers varied utility across deck styles, serving both as a countermeasure against threats and as an enabler for card drawing to maintain hand advantage.

Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates with cascade or graveyard strategies, where it can repeatedly generate value or be recast from other zones.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt opponents and pluck key cards from their decks, Pilfer often finds its place in a meta where control and theft strategies are prevalent.

How to beat

The card Pilfer brings unique dynamics to the battlefield in MTG, with its ability to potentially disrupt opponents by stealing the top card of their library. Beating this card involves a strategy focused on two fronts: deck protection and removal capabilities.

Protecting your deck from Pilfer’s effects starts with utilizing cards that control the top of your library. Scry effects or effects that allow you to shuffle your library can help mitigate the risk of losing a valuable card to your opponent’s tactics. Additionally, including instant-speed removal in your arsenal is crucial. Being able to remove Pilfer the moment it hits the board or before its ability can trigger ensures that it will not hamper your game plan.

Moreover, considering Pilfer’s capability to play the stolen cards, ensure your deck has versatile answers to unexpected threats. Cards that allow you to reclaim control of your own spells or permanents add another layer of defense. Vigilance and proactive play are key, and by maintaining pressure and carefully managing your resources, you can outmaneuver Pilfer and secure a victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pilfer MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United, 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 Pilfer and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pilfer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal