Scarwood Bandits MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 85
2011-01-10 - Number 165
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Abilities | Forestwalk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Forestwalk o G, oc T: Take control of target artifact. Opponent may counter this action by paying . You lose control of target artifact if Scarwood Bandits leave play or at end of game.
Cards like Scarwood Bandits
In the realm of utility creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Scarwood Bandits holds a niche but notable position. This card can be seen paralleling the functionality of cards like Avalanche Riders, both offering land disruption with their activations. Scarwood Bandits requires a forest and two generic mana to activate, stealing an opponent’s artifact until it becomes untapped, while Avalanche Riders has an echo cost and destroys a target land upon entering the battlefield.
Another card to consider is Zealous Conscripts. Much like Scarwood Bandits, Zealous Conscripts can take control of any target permanent until end of turn when it enters the battlefield, but without the limitation of keeping it tapped. This gives Zealous Conscripts a more immediate and potentially game-swinging effect, albeit without the repeatability of the bandits’ effect. Then we have Dack Fayden, a planeswalker with the ability to take control of artifacts, providing consistent control turn after turn without the need to keep the artifact tapped.
Within the MTG landscape, Scarwood Bandits offers a unique blend of repeatable control and forest synergy. While there are other cards that interact with different types of permanents, the bandits’ ongoing artifact hijacking potential presents a distinctive tactic in games, especially in formats where artifacts play a critical role.
Cards similar to Scarwood Bandits by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scarwood Bandits’ ability to take control of an opponent’s artifact can shift the balance in your favor. Besides neutralizing an opponent’s tool, it effectively adds that artifact to your side of the battlefield, providing you with additional resources and potential options for as long as you control the Bandits.
Resource Acceleration: In the right deck, Scarwood Bandits could enhance your strategy by accelerating your control over key artifacts. This acceleration is particularly impactful if the artifact has abilities that require tapping, providing you repeated value every turn and depriving your opponent of their benefits simultaneously.
Instant Speed: Although the card itself is not an instant, Scarwood Bandits’ activation ability can be used at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility. You can wait to see how your opponent plays their turn before deciding the best moment to attempt to take control of an artifact, which can be invaluable in navigating complex board states and maximizing the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scarwood Bandits requires you to part with another card to initiate its effect. This could set you back, especially when your hand size is dwindling and each card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast this card, you need both green mana and at least one forest on the battlefield. This demand can restrict the card’s flexibility, making it a tough fit in multi-colored decks that might not reliably produce the necessary green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting and upkeep cost that’s on the upper end, Scarwood Bandits demands a significant investment of mana. Other creatures or spells could provide similar or even better advantages for less, helping you maintain tempo against opponents.
Reasons to Include Scarwood Bandits in Your Collection
Versatility: Scarwood Bandits offers a unique edge in games, where control of resources can turn the tide. Able to snatch artifacts, this card proves useful not just in niche situations but across various matchups where artifacts play a key role.
Combo Potential: The Bandits synergize well in decks that focus on resource denial or theft mechanics. When combined with other cards that capitalize on controlling or sacrificing opponents’ permanents, they can become a formidable tactical asset.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the fluctuating nature of the meta, the ability to disrupt opponents’ artifact strategies can be incredibly beneficial. Scarwood Bandits could gain importance in metas heavily dependent on artifacts, providing a unique countermeasure within your deck’s toolkit.
How to beat
Scarwood Bandits is a card that can pose a unique challenge in MTG due to its ability to steal Artifacts from opponents, disrupting their strategy. However, this ancient card from the set “The Dark” presents key vulnerabilities. With its forestwalk capability, it can be neutralized by simply avoiding forests or using land management cards to transform or remove your forests.
Moreover, utilizing instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can effectively dispatch the Bandits before they have a chance to exert their influence. Cards with the ability to tap or otherwise disable creatures without destroying them are also effective, such as Frost Lynx or Ice Floe. These preventive measures ensure that your valuable artifacts remain safely on your side of the battlefield.
Keeping a flexible and reactive strategy with the right mix of land tweaks and timely suppressive tactics can make Scarwood Bandits less of a threat. Focus on maintaining artifact protection and creature control to keep this forest-dwelling nuisance from kidnapping your precious resources. Remember, anticipation and preparedness are key in overcoming what Scarwood Bandits might bring to the table.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scarwood Bandits MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Masters Edition IV, 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 Scarwood Bandits 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 Scarwood Bandits Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 85 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 165 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scarwood Bandits has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |