Shady Informant MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Rogue |
| Abilities | Disguise |
| Released | 2024-02-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Murders at Karlov Manor |
| Set code | MKM |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 231 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Caio Monteiro |
Text of card
When Shady Informant dies, it deals 2 damage to any target. Disguise {BR}{BR} (You may cast this card face down for as a 2/2 creature with ward . Turn it face up any time for its disguise cost.)
Rakdos snitches rarely survive to get stitches.
Cards like Shady Informant
The Shady Informant has carved its niche within the realm of creature-based utility cards in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Baleful Strix, another creature that provides value beyond just its combat abilities. Baleful Strix offers card draw upon entering the battlefield whereas Shady Informant leans into the realm of information gathering, peeking into an opponent’s hand with its “enter the battlefield” effect.
Another card that echoes the influence of Shady Informant is Kitesail Freebooter. It shares the functionality of disrupting an opponent’s hand, although the Freebooter allows for the temporary removal of nonland cards which can tangibly affect the board state. While the Informant doesn’t remove the revealed card, the knowledge gained can still shape players’ strategies significantly. Lastly, we consider Tidehollow Sculler which also examines and exiles a card from an opponent’s hand, but it’s tied to a conditional clause that can return that card should the Sculler leave the field.
Subjecting these cards to scrutiny, Shady Informant presents itself as a strategic piece for any player aiming to anticipate and navigate the opponent’s potential moves, adding a layer of psychological warfare to the match. Comparable options offer varying degrees of disruption, but the Informant’s blend of reconnaissance and pressure makes it a unique asset on the board.
Cards similar to Shady Informant by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shady Informant facilitates a peek into the future plays of your opponents by letting you see their next draw, giving you the upper hand by preparing counters and strategies in advance.
Resource Acceleration: This card can potentially disrupt your opponent’s resource planning. By forcing them to discard a key card, Shady Informant can slow down their game tempo while you accelerate yours.
Instant Speed: The ability to disrupt your opponent’s draw at instant speed makes Shady Informant a versatile tool. You can decide the best moment to play it, either in response to an action or during their draw step, maintaining fluidity in your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shady Informant requires you to pitch another card, potentially draining valuable resources from your hand. This can be especially tough if the game is already putting pressure on your card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana setup, with black mana being essential for casting. This may not always align well with decks that run multiple colors or those that struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana value, Shady Informant stands on the pricier side for its effects. Savvy players may find other creatures or spells that provide similar or even better benefits without the steep cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shady Informant proves its worth by slotting seamlessly into various deck types, proving valuable in strategies focused on information gathering and opponent hand disruption.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in combos that revolve around knowledge of the opponent’s hand, paving the way for pinpoint discard strategies or leveraging the information for tactical advantages.
Meta-Relevance: With a game environment that often prioritizes hand knowledge and disruption tactics, Shady Informant can play a critical role in gaining the upper hand against decks that rely on specific cards to win.
How to beat Shady Informant
Shady Informant presents a unique blend of gameplay mechanics that can be quite tricky in Magic: The Gathering. Not only does it act as an early creature on the battlefield, but it also enables a player to peek at the opponent’s hand, potentially disrupting their strategies by gaining information. This informant may not seem intimidating due to its lower power and toughness, but the foresight it grants can shape the course of a match.
To effectively counteract Shady Informant, consider using removal spells that can deal with low-toughness creatures without expending significant resources, such as Fatal Push or Shock. These are cost-effective ways to handle such threats before they can provide a strategic advantage to your opponent. Additionally, playing cards that limit the usefulness of hand-revealing abilities, like Leyline of Sanctity or Witchbane Orb, can neutralize the informant’s espionage.
When facing a deck that incorporates Shady Informant, keeping one’s own hand fluid with cards like Opt or cycling cards helps to minimize the informant’s impact, ensuring that the precious insights gleaned won’t compromise your game plan. Ultimately, remember that Shady Informant, while potentially informative, is a creature easily managed with the right tactics and efficient spell usage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shady Informant MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Shady Informant 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shady Informant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |