Scuttling Butler MTG Card

Direct card advantage from life gain synergizes with creature-heavy decks, enhancing hand options. Resource acceleration via untapping lands facilitates playing multiple spells in a single turn. Instant speed synergy makes Scuttling Butler a versatile tool in reactive and proactive strategies.
Scuttling Butler - Streets of New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Released2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set nameStreets of New Capenna
Set codeSNC
Power 4
Toughness 1
Number244
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGaboleps

Text of card

At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you control two or more multicolored permanents, Scuttling Butler gains double strike until end of turn.

Porter, cleaner, and bouncer all in one.

Cards like Scuttling Butler

The Scuttling Butler is a unique piece in Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creatures, often juxtaposed with other cards for its distinct abilities. Among its counterparts, Filigree Familiar springs to mind, with its similar value in terms of life gain upon entering the battlefield. Yet, Scuttling Butler takes a divergent path with its focus on assembling Contraptions, a feature exclusive to it which sets it apart. This capability to influence the contraption mechanic brings a whole new dimension to gameplay, one that Filigree Familiar doesn’t share.

Another card worth mentioning is Myr Retriever, who also shares a death-triggered ability. Both creatures can be valuable for their after-death effects, but the Myr leans towards retrieving artifacts from the graveyard. This places them in different strategic positions depending on your deck’s design focus. There’s also Workhorse, taking a spot in the comparison for its ability to provide mana upon removing +1/+1 counters, something that aligns it with mana acceleration rather than Scuttling Butler’s combo-enabling mechanics.

Conclusively, while Scuttling Butler may find itself in a niche category when compared to these cards, it stands out for its potential to create synergistic plays with the contraption mechanic, which keeps it intriguing and valuable in specific MTG strategies.

Filigree Familiar - MTG Card versions
Myr Retriever - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Filigree Familiar - MTG Card versions
Myr Retriever - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Scuttling Butler has a unique mechanic that enables you to peek at the top card of your library whenever you gain life. If it’s a creature card, you get to put it into your hand, effectively drawing an extra card and bolstering your hand’s options.

Resource Acceleration: This card acts as a resource accelerator by untapping a land whenever you cast a creature spell during your turn. This slight boost in resources can be pivotal in casting additional spells or leaving up mana for reactions later in the cycle.

Instant Speed: While the Scuttling Butler itself isn’t played at instant speed, its abilities synergize well with instant speed interactions. Cards that enable you to gain life on your opponent’s turn not only protect your life total but also trigger the Butler’s peek ability, making it a versatile choice in decks that operate on both players’ turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Scuttling Butler card demands that you discard another card to activate its ability. This prerequisite could strain your hand, especially when your strategic options are already limited.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a color-specific mana requirement, meaning it fits primarily in blue-centric decks. Players running a multicolored or off-color deck may find it challenging to consistently meet this condition without compromising their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its utility, Scuttling Butler comes with a noteworthy mana cost. In comparison to other cards at a similar cost level, it may not provide the same level of utility or impact on the game, making it a less attractive option in a mana-efficient deck strategy.

Reasons to Include Scuttling Butler in Your Collection

Versatility: Scuttling Butler can seamlessly adapt to multiple deck archetypes, often finding its place in strategies that appreciate both creature synergy and graveyard manipulation.

Combo Potential: The card can serve as a cog in a combo machine, potentially interacting with effects that require creature sacrifice or benefit from having various creature types.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based tactics are prominent, Scuttling Butler’s unique attributes may provide the edge needed to contest the competitive scene.

How to beat

The Scuttling Butler card introduces a unique tactical element to Magic: The Gathering that requires precise strategy to overcome. This card presents a challenge with its ability to gain indestructible whenever you control four or more artifacts. To counter this, prioritize artifact removal in your deck. Cards like Abrade or Shatterstorm efficiently dismantle an opponent’s artifact count, weakening the Butler’s defensive capabilities. Control decks that can manipulate or limit the number of artifacts on the battlefield will find it easier to neutralize the Butler’s strength.

Another strategy involves using instant-speed removal spells that can be cast before the player reaches the artifact threshold to make Scuttling Butler indestructible. The goal is to keep their artifact count low, so timing your removal spells becomes crucial. Moreover, navigating around the Butler’s indestructibleness can be achieved through bounce mechanics or exile effects, bypassing the need to destroy it. Directing your disruptor spells effectively and maintaining board control is key when facing a deck featuring Scuttling Butler.

In essence, outmaneuvering the mechanically gifted Scuttling Butler in MTG lies in controlling the flow of artifacts on the battlefield and retaining the ability to respond aptly with timely cast spells. By doing this, players can prevent the Butler from becoming an unstoppable force and maintain dominance in the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scuttling Butler MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Scuttling Butler and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scuttling Butler has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal