Spelldrain Assassin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Assassin |
| Released | 2022-06-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: New Capenna |
| Set code | YSNC |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 29 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Cristi Balanescu |
Key Takeaways
- It gives a strategic edge by removing threats, offering board and card advantage.
- Instant speed play allows for flexible and surprising game responses.
- Though powerful, requires careful hand and mana management for effectiveness.
Text of card
When Spelldrain Assassin enters the battlefield, choose an instant or sorcery card in your hand. It perpetually gains casualty 2. (As you cast this spell, you may sacrifice a creature with power 2 or greater. When you do, copy this spell and you may choose a new target for the copy.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage:The Spelldrain Assassin from the Magic the Gathering universe offers a strategic edge by potentially eliminating key creatures of your opponent. This disruption not only clears the way for your attacks but also hampers your opponent’s plans, effectively leading to a gain in card advantage as they lose valuable resources and you maintain board control.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly influencing mana generation, Spelldrain Assassin could accelerate your resource advantage by conserving mana. By removing a threat without having to cast another spell, you’re able to allocate mana more efficiently on your subsequent turns, potentially casting more impactful spells sooner than your opponent can respond to.
Instant Speed: Its ability to function at instant speed allows you to adapt to the game’s changing conditions with precision. By keeping your mana open, you gain the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves effectively and with surprise, maximizing the tactical advantage of your plays and maintaining pressure on the opposition.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spelldrain Assassin’s ability hinges on discarding another card which can deplete your hand quickly, potentially leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and black mana narrows deck compatibility, making it less versatile and harder to cast in a multi-color deck that doesn’t focus on these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed to summon Spelldrain Assassin and activate its abilities might be more demanding compared to other creatures in its range, affecting tempo and board presence.
Reasons to Include Spelldrain Assassin in Your Collection
Versatility: Spelldrain Assassin offers an array of strategic options for deck builders. Its ability to target and potentially remove key creatures from the game makes it a versatile addition, able to adapt to various situations on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card can become a central piece in decks crafted around creature control and spell interactions. Its innate ability, when combined with other cards that manipulate or benefit from spell casting, can unlock powerful combinations and disrupt opponent strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Control decks often gain an edge in environments where creature-based strategies dominate. Including Spelldrain Assassin in your arsenal ensures you have a relevant tool to contest a variety of popular decks in the current competitive scene, staying one step ahead of the competition.
How to beat
Spelldrain Assassin is a unique challenger in the landscape of MTG creatures. This cunning card brings to the table not just combat prowess but also the capacity to hinder an opponent’s strategy by sapping their spells’ power. To effectively navigate against this card, a savvy player must consider alternative lines of play. Diversifying your threats ensures that relying on one strategy isn’t your downfall. You might also consider cards with hexproof or shroud abilities to prevent Spelldrain Assassin from targeting your prized spells.
Versatility is key, so including a mix of creature, instant, and sorcery spells can mitigate the impact of the assassin’s abilities. Moreover, spells that can be cast from the graveyard, such as those with flashback or aftermath, can provide value even if targeted by the assassin. Remember to manage your resources carefully. Applying pressure with creatures that can overpower Spelldrain Assassin in combat or can provide effects that are not disrupted by spell drain are also excellent tactics.
Ultimately, overcoming Spelldrain Assassin involves preparation during deckbuilding and adaptability during gameplay. With forethought and flexibility, this MTG card becomes less of a threat and more of a puzzle to solve within the complex game environment.
Cards like Spelldrain Assassin
Spelldrain Assassin offers MTG enthusiasts a unique twist in the realm of creature-based control. When compared to other creatures with similar abilities, such as Baleful Strix, we can observe distinct differences. Baleful Strix provides an immediate card draw upon entering the battlefield, coupled with deathtouch, making it a formidable blocker. Spelldrain Assassin, while lacking card draw, brings a recurring potential to disrupt opponents by countering their spells, aligning more with a control strategy.
Shadowmage Infiltrator is another card that surfaces in discussions about creature-based control and card advantage. It boasts the ability to draw a card when it deals combat damage to a player, thanks to its fear ability, making it hard to block. In contrast, Spelldrain Assassin focuses on a proactive control aspect by targeting the stack instead of combat damage output.
Assessing the traits across these examples, Spelldrain Assassin stands out for players who prefer to engage in a more interactive game, offering opportunities to impact the spell-slinging aspects of MTG. It carves its niche as a strategic option for those building decks around spell counterplay and control tactics.
Cards similar to Spelldrain Assassin by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spelldrain Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: 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 Spelldrain Assassin and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Spelldrain Assassin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |