Elite Arrester MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica Allegiance
Set code	RNA
Power	0
Toughness	3
Number	266
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Vargas

Key Takeaways

Elite Arrester manages the board by tapping crucial opponent’s creatures, creating a card advantage.
Offers instant speed gameplay, adding surprise elements and strategic depth to your matches.
A versatile addition to collections, with strong combo potential and meta relevancy against creature-focused decks.

Text of card

, : Tap target creature.

"Hold it! I need to see your papers."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Elite Arrester can potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy by tapping a key creature or artifact, this can lead to gaining a card advantage as it may prevent the opponent from drawing extra cards or playing additional spells.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, Elite Arrester allows for tempo plays that can delay your opponent, effectively giving you a resource advantage as you develop your board and mana base unimpeded.

Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed with Elite Arrester offers flexibility in gameplay, enabling you to respond to threats on the fly or even during your opponent’s turn, maintaining the element of surprise and strategy in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The utility of Elite Arrester may sometimes be overshadowed by the need to discard another card from your hand to activate its ability. This can be particularly difficult when your hand size is limited, making it costly to lose potential game-changing cards just to leverage Elite Arrester’s abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and blue mana for summoning, Elite Arrester’s mana cost can be restrictive, locking it into decks that strictly run these colors. This limitation could prevent it from being included in a variety of decks, especially those that operate on a more flexible mana base or are not aligned with its Azorius color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Elite Arrester enters the battlefield at a mana cost that some players may consider high for its stat line and abilities. In decks where mana efficiency is key, it might not be the first pick, given that other creatures or spells could offer more impact for the same, or even lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include Elite Arrester in Your Collection

Versatility: Elite Arrester offers tactical flexibility in gameplay. Its ability to control opposition creatures makes it a valuable addition to decks that focus on board management and tempo advantage.

Combo Potential: This card’s tap ability pairs well with mechanics that exploit tapped creatures or punish opponents for having non-active creatures. It opens doors for synergies with cards that benefit from tapping or untapping.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having Elite Arrester can be a game-changer. Its utility in stalling aggressive decks or disrupting combo pieces ensures it remains a relevant choice for many sideboards or main decks seeking to temper opponent’s advances.

How to beat Elite Arrester

Elite Arrester stands out in MTG as a tactical card that allows players to detain another target creature. This action prevents the detained creature from attacking or blocking, and its activated abilities cannot be activated until the next turn. Since Elite Arrester operates at sorcery speed, planning your moves to remove the Arrester or negate its ability is crucial.

Players can employ instant-speed removal spells to eliminate Elite Arrester before its detaining effect is resolved. Cards like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push offer efficient solutions at a low mana cost, ensuring the Arrester’s ability never comes into play. Alternatively, cards with hexproof or protection from creatures dodge the Arrester’s ability, keeping your board presence secure and your plans uninterrupted.

Caring for your creatures’ safety ensures that Elite Arrester’s ability doesn’t disrupt your strategy too much. Providing them with indestructibility or utilizing counterspells like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto when the Arrester is cast may also be a sound defensive tactic. The key is to maintain control and stay one step ahead of the detention gameplay that Elite Arrester brings to the table.

Cards like Elite Arrester

Elite Arrester offers a unique twist on creature control within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to lock down opposing cards by tapping a creature bears some resemblance to cards like Gideon’s Lawkeeper. The Lawkeeper, while bearing a similar tap ability, requires mana each time it’s used, whereas Elite Arrester’s ability is a one-time activation as it enters the battlefield.

When we look at a card like Blinding Mage, there’s a visible parallel. This card can also tap an opponent’s creature, yet it does so at a flexible timing due to be an activated ability. In this sense, the Blinding Mage can adapt to various board states, unlike Elite Arrester which acts promptly upon entering the game. Comparatively, Avacynian Priest is another card that can tap creatures, but it specifically aims at non-human creatures, offering a targeted control depending on the tribal dynamics of the match.

In analyzing control dynamics and the adaptability of creatures with similar abilities, Elite Arrester positions itself as a strategic play for early game disruption, immediately impacting the board upon its arrival.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Elite Arrester MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Elite Arrester and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Elite Arrester 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
Timeless	Legal