Sharp-Eyed Rookie MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 353
2024-02-09 - Number 176
2024-02-10 - Number 176p
2024-02-10 - Number 176s
Text of card
Vigilance Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if its power is greater than Sharp-Eyed Rookie's power or its toughness is greater than Sharp-Eyed Rookie's toughness, put a +1/+1 counter on Sharp-Eyed Rookie and investigate.
Cards like Sharp-Eyed Rookie
Sharp-Eyed Rookie presents a fresh take on creature cards with benefits upon entering the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to Skyscanner, as both creatures allow for an immediate card advantage once they hit the field. Skyscanner grants a card draw on any entry but lacks the Rookie’s snooping mechanism that filters the top of the deck.
Another akin card is Augury Owl, which also peeks at the top cards of a deck when played. While it allows for rearranging those cards, it falls short of adding them to your hand, a tactical advantage provided by Sharp-Eyed Rookie. Furthermore, Exclusion Mage shares a kinship of immediate impact creatures, but it focuses on bouncing opposing creatures back to the hand rather than the card advantage the Rookie offers. This displacement ability may disrupt opponents but does not directly benefit one’s hand or deck knowledge.
To encapsulate, Sharp-Eyed Rookie emerges as a strong contender among its peers, offering a balance of creature-based board presence and valuable deck insights, making it a notable choice for players looking to blend board control with strategic card advantage.
Cards similar to Sharp-Eyed Rookie by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sharp-Eyed Rookie. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Green Aggro | Standard | Mono-Green Aggro | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 25, 2024 |
 | Mono-Green Stompy | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
 | Golgari Midrange | Standard | Golgari Midrange | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
 | Gruul Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
| Gruul Stompy | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
 | Selesnya Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024 | |
 | Gruul Combo | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024 | |
 | Abzan Aggro | Standard | Golgari Midrange | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
| Dimir Faeries | Standard | Golgari Midrange | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
 | Golgari Combo | Standard | Golgari Fight Rigging | The Pizza Box Open: Standard |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sharp-Eyed Rookie allows players to explore when it enters the battlefield, potentially drawing a card or putting a land onto the battlefield, thus providing a chance for immediate card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: By facilitating land drops or smoothing out draws, it sets the stage for future plays, enabling players to deploy their more impactful cards ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: Although the Rookie itself isn’t an instant, it can synergize with instant-speed spells in your deck, thanks to its capability to scout ahead and prepare the best plays for any situation, keeping you one step ahead of the opposition.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sharp-Eyed Rookie necessitates the discard of a card to activate its ability. This can be problematic, particularly during the late game when card count in hand might be more critical, leading to potential loss of leverage.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and green mana, Sharp-Eyed Rookie can be restrictive, fitting primarily into Simic decks or those running multiple colors, thus limiting its universal playability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature card, Sharp-Eyed Rookie’s mana cost could be considered on the steeper side, which may not correspond with the immediate value it offers, especially when there are alternatives that provide similar benefits for less mana.
Reasons to Include Sharp-Eyed Rookie in Your Collection
Versatility: Sharp-Eyed Rookie is a flexible addition to decks that need a reliable early creature. Its ability to adapt to various game situations makes it a solid pick for players looking to shore up their board presence in the critical early turns of the game. Whether you need to block, attack, or simply have a presence on the board, this card can fulfill multiple roles.
Combo Potential: With the right synergies, Sharp-Eyed Rookie can be a powerhouse in combo-centric builds. Its interactions with mechanics that revolve around creature types, such as tribal buffs, or strategies that exploit entering the battlefield effects, can unlock new levels of strategic depth and combo routes for inventive deck builders.
Meta-Relevance: As the competitive landscape of MTG evolves, a card like Sharp-Eyed Rookie can become a valuable asset against dominant deck archetypes. Its versatility and potential for combo play make it a candidate for inclusion in a diverse array of meta scenarios, capable of strengthening your deck’s performance against the prevalent strategies.
How to beat
Confronting the abilities of Sharp-Eyed Rookie in your MTG match involves strategic play and a keen sense of timing. As a low-cost creature card, it poses a unique challenge with its potential to scry, which can significantly improve your opponent’s draw quality. Unlike other scry-dependent creatures, it’s crucial to recognize that the Rookie’s ability triggers upon casting a creature spell, providing an ongoing benefit throughout the game.
To counteract this advantage, one viable strategy is to limit the Rookie’s presence on the battlefield. This can be achieved through pinpoint removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which effectively remove creatures at a low mana cost before their abilities can impact the game significantly. Additionally, counterspells such as Dovin’s Veto or Negate can be crucial, thwarting the casting of creature spells that activate the Rookie’s scry ability. Board wipe spells, including Supreme Verdict or Shatter the Sky, offer another layer of control, clearing multiple threats at once and resetting the board state.
Employing removal or counters at the right moment can be the key to overcoming the consistent value that Sharp-Eyed Rookie provides to your opponent. By managing its influence early or disrupting creature spell flows, you can maintain a stronger position and dictate the pace of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sharp-Eyed Rookie MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and 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 Sharp-Eyed Rookie 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 Sharp-Eyed Rookie Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 353 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Marko Manev | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 176 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jake Murray | |
| 3 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 176p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jake Murray | |
| 4 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 176s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jake Murray |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sharp-Eyed Rookie has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.