Retrieval Agent MTG Card
2022-11-18 - Number 60
2022-11-18 - Number 11
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
: Retrieval Agent gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
The humming tome burned his leather glove, nearly taking his hand along with it. Then a strange power coursed through him.
Cards like Retrieval Agent
Retrieval Agent is another intriguing piece of the complex puzzle that is creature-based utility in Magic: The Gathering. When drawn against other creatures with similar etched abilities, Retrieval Agent offers a unique edge. Like cards such as Archaeomancer and Mnemonic Wall, Retrieval Agent allows players to recover an instant or sorcery card from their graveyard. However, it subtly diverges as it is able to retrieve any nonland card, granting a wider array of strategic options and potentially higher impact swings within the game.
Comparatively, Eternal Witness stands out with a similar yet more flexible ability, able to target any card type from the graveyard. While Eternal Witness can be a game-changer in retrieving key pieces, Retrieval Agent excels with its more focused role and potential synergies in decks that heavily utilize nonland cards. Despite its specificity, Retrieval Agent can provide consistent value and utility, especially in decks designed around its strengths. This versatility ensures that in particular strategies, Retrieval Agent not only holds its own but may lead to more calculated, game-winning plays.
Assessing Retrieval Agent in the context of its counterparts, the value it brings to decks that thrive on resource recirculation is undeniable, anchoring its position as a strong contender in its niche within the broad catalog of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Retrieval Agent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Retrieval Agent stands out for offering a dual function which inherently leads to card advantage. Upon entering the battlefield, it allows you to return a nonland permanent card from your graveyard to your hand, effectively replenishing your resources and giving you an extra edge.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly creating additional mana, this card ensures that you maintain your hand size, indirectly speeding up your game plan by providing you with more options each turn. Reusing high-impact permanents accelerates your route to victory.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Retrieval Agent is increased as it can be deployed at instant speed via various flash enablers. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the game’s unfolding scenario and catch your opponents off-guard, pivoting between defense and offense fluidly.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Retrieval Agent can be a potent addition to any deck, it necessitates the player to discard a card. This attribute can be particularly detrimental when a player’s hand is already scarce in options, making the cost of playing the agent potentially higher than the benefit gained.
Specific Mana Cost: Retrieval Agent’s mana cost includes both white and blue mana, restricting it to decks that can produce both colors consistently. Players running mono-colored or decks not inclusive of white and blue might find the agent incompatible with their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of four mana to put Retrieval Agent onto the battlefield, it stands at a higher threshold when evaluated against other cards with similar recuperative abilities. For those seeking swift gameplay, the agent might not be the most efficient choice, especially in formats where speed plays a critical role in achieving victory.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Retrieval Agent is a multifaceted card capable of slipping into various deck builds. With its ability to potentially return any nonland permanent from your graveyard to your hand, this card is a useful asset for decks that rely on key pieces or that have recurring synergies.
Combo Potential: As any seasoned player knows, finding the right combination of cards can transform a game. Retrieval Agent serves as a pivotal piece in combos, providing access to previously used artifacts, enchantments, or other powerful permanents that could swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in recovering important cards, Retrieval Agent remains relevant in a fluctuating meta. Whether facing down aggressive decks or navigating through control matchups, having the ability to retrieve essential tools gives you a consistent edge.
How to beat
Understanding how to navigate against Retrieval Agent in your Magic: The Gathering matches can be quite strategic. This Agent has the unique ability to return a target permanent card from a graveyard to its owner’s hand whenever it enters the battlefield, which can turn the tide of battle by recouping crucial resources. The key to countering this ability is to minimize the number of valuable targets in graveyards. Playing cards that exile the graveyard, like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze, can keep your opponent’s graveyard clean and limit Retrieval Agent’s impact.
Alternatively, spells or abilities that counter creature spells can prevent Retrieval Agent from hitting the board in the first place. Therefore, keeping mana open for counterspells like Counterspell or Dissolve ensures that you’re ready to shut down the retrieval before it begins. Lastly, removal spells that offer no respite, such as Path to Exile or Ashes to Ashes, can remove Retrieval Agent before it becomes a recurring nuisance. Staying one step ahead by having the right answers at the right time is essential when facing off against this card.
Strategic adjustments and responsive gameplay make all the difference when facing Retrieval Agent, ensuring that this value-centric creature doesn’t provide continuous advantage to your opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Retrieval Agent // Retrieval Agent MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War Art Series and The Brothers' War, 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 Retrieval Agent // Retrieval Agent and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Retrieval Agent // Retrieval Agent Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Vladimir Krisetskiy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Brothers' War Art Series | ABRO | 11 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Vladimir Krisetskiy | ||
| 2 | 2022-11-18 | The Brothers' War | BRO | 60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vladimir Krisetskiy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Retrieval Agent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |