Scroll Thief MTG Card
2010-07-16 - Number 72
2012-03-30 - Number 7
2012-07-13 - Number 66
2013-07-19 - Number 69
2017-10-24 - Number 17
2019-11-07 - Number 479
2020-09-26 - Number DDT-17
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Merfolk Rogue |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever Scroll Thief deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
I've learned how to disable wards, pick locks, and decode the Agaran language—all before even reading the scroll!
Cards like Scroll Thief
When looking at Scroll Thief, a captivating creature from the realm of Magic: The Gathering, there’s an immediate kinship with cards such as Thieving Magpie. Both share the reward of drawing a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. However, Thieving Magpie flies high with an evasion ability that Scroll Thief lacks, giving it a more consistent edge in bypassing blockers.
Another relative in this niche is Ophidian, which boasts a similar ‘combat damage to a player’ card draw mechanic. Notably, Ophidian doesn’t need to inflict damage to reap the card advantage, as long as it attacks and isn’t blocked—offering subtle flexibility compared to Scroll Thief. Moreover, lurking in the same waters is Looter il-Kor, a creature with shadow, ensuring it’s typically unblockable in many matchups, allowing for a more reliable trigger of its loot ability compared to Scroll Thief’s draw.
Ultimately, Scroll Thief can be a valuable asset in any deck hungry for card draw, yet its place is often matched or exceeded by others in its class that offer more reliable evasion techniques or alternative benefits.
Cards similar to Scroll Thief by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scroll Thief shines in terms of card advantage by granting you the opportunity to draw a card every time it deals combat damage to a player. This consistent draw mechanism can provide you with the resources you need to outpace your opponent, especially in longer matches where maintaining a healthy hand size is crucial.
Resource Acceleration: While Scroll Thief doesn’t directly accelerate your resources like a mana ramp card would, the consistent card draw can indirectly speed up your game by providing more land drops and giving you access to a wider array of spells in your deck over the course of a game.
Instant Speed: Although Scroll Thief is a creature and operates at sorcery speed, its synergy with instant speed spells cannot be ignored. Holding back instant speed removal or counterspells while Scroll Thief is attacking can protect this valuable card drawer, ensuring its ability triggers and maintains your card flow, which often results in a tempo advantage against your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Whilst Scroll Thief does not have a discard requirement itself, it demands consistent combat damage to an opponent to be effective. This can be a drawback when facing decks with abundant blockers or removal, hindering its ability to secure card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Scroll Thief’s casting cost includes two blue mana, potentially restraining its integration into multi-colored decks that might not always have the necessary blue mana sources at the right time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 1/3 creature, Scroll Thief may be viewed as having a steep investment for what it offers. Other creatures or spells at the same cost could provide immediate impact or have more resilient bodies on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Scroll Thief in Your Collection
Versatility: Scroll Thief is a card that shines in decks focused on drawing cards and controlling the board. As a creature that encourages attacking and rewards you for dealing combat damage, it fits well in strategies that can protect it and ensure it connects with the opponent.
Combo Potential: This stealthy rogue has a natural synergy with cards that increase its power or provide evasion. When combined with cards that tap or freeze opponents’ creatures, Scroll Thief can become a consistent source of card advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where slower, more controlling decks prevail, Scroll Thief provides recurring value each turn it stays on the board. This card can apply pressure against opponents by forcing them to deal with an otherwise unassuming threat that can tip card advantage in your favor over time.
How to Beat
Scroll Thief, a creature card known for its potential to steadily pull ahead in card advantage, can pose a challenge during gameplay. To effectively neutralize this card, attention to board control is crucial. Utilizing removal spells such as Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push can dispose of Scroll Thief efficiently before it gets a chance to connect and draw cards. Additionally, enhancing your creature’s toughness or employing tricks to deter attackers altogether can prevent Scroll Thief from getting through.
Another strategy is to outpace Scroll Thief’s ability is by maintaining a more aggressive stance. By applying pressure and reducing the opponent’s life total swiftly, their focus shifts from optimizing Scroll Thief’s ability to preserving their own defense. Cards that can tap, exile, or bounce Scroll Thief to the opponent’s hand are also valuable, as they can disrupt the momentum and card advantage that the card provides.
By taking proactive measures to manage and negate Scroll Thief’s influence on the game, players can minimize the card’s impact and maintain an advantageous position. Through strategic removal or tempo plays, opponents can safeguard against the incremental advantages that Scroll Thief seeks to accumulate.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scroll Thief MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Scroll Thief 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 Scroll Thief Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Alex Horley-Orlandelli.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 72 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 2 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 7 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 3 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 66 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 4 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 69 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 5 | 2017-10-24 | Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins | DDT | 17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 6 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 479 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | DDT-17 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scroll Thief has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Scroll Thief card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-08-15 | The ability is mandatory. You must draw a card when it resolves. |
| 2010-08-15 | The ability triggers just once each time Scroll Thief deals combat damage to a player, regardless of how much damage it deals. |