Spireside Infiltrator MTG Card
2016-09-30 - Number 133
2020-11-12 - Number 148
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Spireside Infiltrator becomes tapped, it deals 1 damage to each opponent.
"The Consulate promised that we would all have access to aether. I'm just keeping them honest."
Cards like Spireside Infiltrator
Within the realm of MTG creature cards, Spireside Infiltrator stands out for its unique ability to deal damage to an opponent whenever it becomes tapped. This trait draws an intriguing parallel to cards like Reckless Fireweaver, which also deals damage to an opponent whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control. While Reckless Fireweaver focuses on artifacts, Spireside Infiltrator’s ability hinges on vehicular strategies or effects that tap creatures for benefits.
Another card that players might consider alongside Spireside Infiltrator is Ironclad Revolutionary. Although this card deals damage when it enters the battlefield under a specific condition, which is sacrificing an artifact, it shares the Infiltrator’s aggressive damage-dealing role. The key difference here is the longevity of Spireside Infiltrator’s ability, as it can trigger multiple times across a game; it’s less situational and can potentially lead to consistent damage over time.
Choosing Spireside Infiltrator or its counterparts really depends on your deck’s strategy and how you plan to synergize with its damage-dealing capabilities. Whether you’re piloting an aggressive vehicle deck or leveraging tap and untap mechanics, Spireside Infiltrator offers repeatable value for players seeking to whittle down their opponent’s life total strategically.
Cards similar to Spireside Infiltrator by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spireside Infiltrator may not directly allow for drawing extra cards, but its ability triggers consistently in a vehicle-heavy deck, leading to ongoing value as you deal damage turn after turn without committing additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Spireside Infiltrator doesn’t produce extra mana or treasures, its synergy with vehicles can effectively lead to an accelerated board presence, which is beneficial for strategies aiming to outpace the opponent.
Instant Speed: Spireside Infiltrator operates at sorcery speed, but its ability to trigger each turn brings a steady stream of damage without waiting for a full cycle of turns, making it a reliable source of incremental advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spireside Infiltrator does not inherently require discarding cards, but using it to its full potential often necessitates a synergy with vehicles, which might require discarding for optimal play. This could lead to a diminished hand size and fewer options in the late game.
Specific Mana Cost: Spireside Infiltrator has a casting cost that includes red mana, which could restrict its integration into multicolored decks, potentially reducing its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana value to bring Spireside Infiltrator into play, some players might find the mana investment steep for a card that is conditionally effective and depends on other cards, like vehicles, to fully utilize its ability.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Spireside Infiltrator has a flexible role in decks that value aggressive strategies combined with vehicle synergies. This card can easily slot into several archetypes, punishing opponents without requiring direct combat.
Combo Potential: In vehicle-heavy decks, the Infiltrator’s ability to deal damage whenever it becomes tapped offers seamless integration with crew mechanics, potentially creating a steady stream of direct damage and pressure on the opponent.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the environment, a metagame with a prevalence of creature-based strategies can make Spireside Infiltrator a well-positioned card, as it can repeatedly deal damage while staying relatively safe from combat interactions.
How to beat
Spireside Infiltrator presents a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield due to its ability to deal damage to an opponent whenever it becomes tapped. While this feature can steadily whittle down an opponent’s life total, especially in vehicle-heavy decks, there are several tactics to neutralize this pesky infiltrator. One effective method is to employ removal spells before the infiltrator can be tapped for value. Instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Lightning Bolt allows you to respond swiftly to the threat.
Alternatively, you could approach the situation by manipulating combat phases. Utilize creatures with reach or flying to deter the infiltrator from attacking, minimizing its impact. If Spireside Infiltrator is used alongside vehicles, artifact removal spells such as Naturalize or Disenchant can disrupt the synergy before any damage is done. Lastly, another strategic move is to outpace the infiltrator with life gain strategies or by deploying a faster, more aggressive deck that overwhelms the opponent before their infiltrator can make a significant impact on the game’s outcome.
By analyzing Spireside Infiltrator’s characteristics and understanding its weaknesses, players can incorporate the right tactics into their decks to deftly handle this card’s potential threats.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spireside Infiltrator MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Spireside Infiltrator and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Spireside Infiltrator Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by Deruchenko Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Deruchenko Alexander | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Deruchenko Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spireside Infiltrator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spireside Infiltrator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-09-20 | For the ability to trigger, Spireside Infiltrator has to actually change from untapped to tapped. If an effect attempts to tap it, but it was already tapped at the time, this ability won't trigger. |
| 2016-09-20 | This is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn't allow you to tap Spireside Infiltrator whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of tapping it, such as by attacking. |