Raven Guild Master MTG Card


Raven Guild Master - Scourge
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard Mutant
Abilities Morph
Released2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set nameScourge
Set codeSCG
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number47
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byKev Walker

Key Takeaways

  1. Guild Master gives strategic card advantage through exiling and peeking at opponent’s hand when dealing damage.
  2. Resource acceleration benfits from knowledge gained; sharper mana optimization and board presence potential.
  3. With synergy to instant speed spells, it defensively disrupts opponents while maintaining responsive gameplay.

Text of card

Whenever Raven Guild Master deals combat damage to a player, that player removes the top ten cards of his or her library from the game. Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Raven Guild Master thrives on ensuring you remain a step ahead of your opponent. When it successfully deals combat damage to a player, you get to sneak a look at their hand and exile a card of your choice. This not only diminishes their options but also gives you valuable insight into their potential strategies.

Resource Acceleration: While the Raven Guild Master itself doesn’t directly provide mana, the information gained from exiling an opponent’s card can indirectly aid in your resource planning. With knowledge about what your opponent can no longer play, you can optimize your mana usage more effectively, possibly accelerating your board presence.

Instant Speed: Although the Raven Guild Master operates at sorcery speed, this creature benefits from its synergy with instant speed spells in your deck. With a shroud ability, you can securely set up your defenses and then wait for the perfect moment to strike, disrupting your opponent’s flow while yours remains unhampered and responsive.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Raven Guild Master requires strategic hand management, owing to its ability that compels your opponent to discard. If you’re unable to keep pressure or the board state doesn’t favor you, this effect may not yield the desired impact on your opponent’s resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands two blue mana, which narrows its suitability mostly to mono-blue or two-color decks. Decks that don’t run blue mana sources will find it challenging to integrate this creature effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Raven Guild Master’s three-mana cost is a significant investment for its 1/1 stats. In environments where tempo is crucial, there can be better options that offer immediate board presence or control over the game at a similar cost.


Reasons to Include Raven Guild Master in Your Collection

Versatility: Raven Guild Master can adapt to a multitude of blue-focused strategies, excelling in decks that exploit unblockability or information denial to the opponent.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with effects that double triggered abilities, enhancing the exiling effect when it deals combat damage to a player, which can be a game-changing tactic.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where opponents rely on finely-tuned deck compositions, the ability to exile cards from the top of their library can disrupt key game plans and provide a significant advantage.


How to beat

The Raven Guild Master presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield. This elusive creature can quickly become a thorn in your side with its sneaky ability to exile cards from an opponent’s library. To effectively counter this card, strategic plays and the right removal tactics are essential. Control decks that use counterspells can nullify the Master’s presence before it takes effect. Removal spells that can bypass hexproof abilities, like board wipes or mass removal, are also effective. Alternatively, cards that restrict attackers, such as those with the “propaganda” effect, can create a barrier too costly for the Raven Guild Master to break through.

Focusing on speed is another tactic. By deploying fast creatures or direct damage spells early on, you can threaten your opponent’s life total before the Raven Guild Master can swing the game in their favor. In essence, the key is to manage the battlefield efficiently and ensure that the Guild Master’s impact is neutralized before it can cause irreparable damage to your game strategy. Adapt your approach, and you’ll find that overcoming the challenge posed by this stealthy threat is entirely within reach.


Cards like Raven Guild Master

Raven Guild Master embodies a unique blend of mechanics in the world of Magic: The Gathering. When analyzing its abilities, Specter Thief stands as a relatable counterpart. Both creatures share the evasive aspect of being unblockable, but the guild master goes a step ahead by exiling cards from opponents’ libraries whenever it deals combat damage to a player. Compared to Specter Thief, which scrys 2 after dealing damage to a player, the guild master’s influence on the library can become a game-changer over time.

Another comparable card is Thada Adel, Acquisitor, which also carries the potential of impacting opponents’ decks. Similar to the guild master’s hit-and-run tactic, Thada Adel steals artifacts directly from the opponent’s library. While not exiling cards, the act of acquiring crucial artifacts can sometimes turn the tide of a match significantly. Both the guild master and Thada Adel pose a strategic threat through direct library interference.

When it comes to controlling the flow of the game by manipulating the opponents’ deck, Raven Guild Master stands out as a stealthy option. Its relevance in matchups cannot be understated, particularly when precision and the element of surprise are crucial to victory in Magic: The Gathering.

Thada Adel, Acquisitor - MTG Card versions
Thada Adel, Acquisitor - Worldwake (WWK)

Cards similar to Raven Guild Master by color, type and mana cost

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Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Raven Guild Master MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Raven Guild Master and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Raven Guild Master has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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