Research Thief MTG Card


Gaining card advantage through attacks allows optimal card exile and potential casting. Research Thief’s usage of exiled cards accelerates your resource pool significantly. Instant-speed spells enhance Research Thief’s in-game utility and effectivity.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Moonfolk Wizard
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flash Flying Whenever an artifact creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.


Cards like Research Thief

Research Thief offers MTG enthusiasts an intriguing dynamic, blending both intelligence gathering and resource disruption. It draws a parallel with cards like Probe, which also lets you peek at an opponent’s hand while drawing a card. Yet, Research Thief nudges ahead with the added advantage of forcing a discard, a twist that can significantly impact your adversary’s strategy.

Considering Whispering Madness, although it lets players delve deep into deck manipulation by discarding and drawing numerous cards, Research Thief shines by being less mana-intensive and targeting a single opponent. This precision can be a game-changer in one-on-one formats. Furthermore, Research Thief can be seen echoing the echoes of Gonti, Lord of Luxury. Gonti plucks cards from an opponent’s library, offering a form of card advantage similar to Research Thief’s hand disruption, though it lacks the direct insight into the opponent’s upcoming plays.

In essence, Research Thief holds its ground in the MTG universe as a tactical card with the unique perk of disrupting while gaining knowledge, distinguishing itself amongst a sea of options in the landscape of hand-peek and discard mechanisms.

Probe - MTG Card versions
Whispering Madness - MTG Card versions
Gonti, Lord of Luxury - MTG Card versions
Probe - MTG Card versions
Whispering Madness - MTG Card versions
Gonti, Lord of Luxury - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Research Thief by color, type and mana cost

Soliton - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Thought - MTG Card versions
Saiba Trespassers - MTG Card versions
Jetfire, Ingenious Scientist // Jetfire, Air Guardian - MTG Card versions
Meldweb Strider - MTG Card versions
Deluxe Dragster - MTG Card versions
Synth Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Soliton - MTG Card versions
Trigon of Thought - MTG Card versions
Saiba Trespassers - MTG Card versions
Jetfire, Ingenious Scientist // Jetfire, Air Guardian - MTG Card versions
Meldweb Strider - MTG Card versions
Deluxe Dragster - MTG Card versions
Synth Infiltrator - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Research Thief offers a prime opportunity to gain card advantage. Each successful attack invites you to peek at your opponent’s hand, selecting the perfect card to exile and later cast, ensuring you’re always ahead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: Besides the evident card advantage, Research Thief can accelerate your resources by allowing you to cast the exiled card, granting you access to additional spells without tapping into your hand, thereby maintaining a resourceful state of play.

Instant Speed: While Research Thief itself does not operate at instant speed, it benefits greatly from instant-speed spells and abilities that can protect it or clear the way for its crucial attacks, effectively leveraging the timing of your actions to maximize this card’s potential on the battlefield.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Research Thief card necessitates that you discard another card upon casting. This can be particularly challenging when your hand is nearly empty, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management and potentially leading to a disadvantageous position.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a specific mana cost allocation which can be restrictive, as it requires both blue and black mana. This specific need constrains deck building, making it less flexible for players who are not running a deck based on those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that stands on the higher end for its set of abilities, it competes with other cards within the same mana range that may offer immediate board presence or have less stringent casting requirements. Players might find it less appealing compared to other cards with a lower mana cost or more impactful effects right out of the gate.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Research Thief fits into many deck archetypes given its flexible ability. Whether you’re looking to enhance your card draw abilities or fortify your control strategies with selective card sniping, Research Thief can provide just the edge you’re looking for.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergy with strategies that reward drawing or discarding cards. Its potential to unlock powerful combinations grows significantly in decks designed around these mechanics, making it a potent piece in a well-orchestrated game plan.

Meta-Relevance: With ever-shifting metas, Research Thief remains valuable. It’s especially relevant in environments where opponents rely heavily on specific cards. Disrupting key plays is an invaluable tactic, and Research Thief can serve as a means to tilt the odds in your favor.


How to beat Research Thief

Research Thief is a cunning card that poses a unique challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. This card can transform a game by generating card advantage and disrupting your strategy. To triumph over an opponent wielding Research Thief, consider leveraging instant removal spells. It’s crucial to eliminate the threat before it can connect and pilfer valuable cards from your library. Instant speed answers such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch Research Thief before it gets a chance to activate its ability.

Board-centric strategies also work well against creatures like Research Thief. Sweepers that can clear multiple creatures, like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act, serve as potent weapons. Additionally, be cautious about the cards you place in your graveyard. Cards with delve, like Dig Through Time, can act as graveyard sanitation, reducing the effectiveness of Research Thief’s ability to exploit your deck’s resources.

Ultimately, staying keenly aware of your opponent’s potential to unveil Research Thief, and being prepared with a swift response, will help ensure that your carefully curated deck remains in your control and not at the mercy of your adversary’s strategic thievery.


BurnMana Recommendations

Digging into the strategic depth of MTG is always thrilling, and the Research Thief card is a prime example of why players stay hooked. Its ability to generate card advantage while disrupting opponents’ plans is a testament to its potential influence in any duel. If you’re curious about how to optimize your deck with Research Thief or counteract its sneaky mechanics, we’ve got you covered. Dive deeper with us into the intricacies of deck building, strategic plays, and meta analysis. Maximize your MTG expertise and thrive in the arena. Discover more strategies and become adept at wielding and defending against Research Thief’s cunning.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Research Thief MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Neon Dynasty Commander, 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 Research Thief and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Research Thief Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Cristi Balanescu.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 979332015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu
22022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 532015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu
32022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 162015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Research Thief has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
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.