Spiteful Prankster MTG Card


Indirect card advantage comes from Spiteful Prankster by turning each creature death into damage. The ability triggers at instant speed, offering reactive play opportunities regardless of turn. Despite mana and discard requirements, its utility in creature-heavy decks is significant.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Devil
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

As long as it's your turn, Spiteful Prankster has first strike. Whenever another creature dies, Spiteful Prankster deals 1 damage to target player or planeswalker.

The devil appreciated the irony of using doves for ammunition. The townsfolk, not so much.


Cards like Spiteful Prankster

Spiteful Prankster brings a distinctive twist to red’s characteristic direct damage facet in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives could be cards like Goblin Arsonist, which also harnesses its death to deal damage to any target. What sets Spiteful Prankster apart is its ability to trigger on each creature’s demise during your turn, potentially accumulating significant damage over a turn if you manage your creature sacrifices cleverly.

Comparing it to cards like Judith, the Scourge Diva, which similarly grants an ability to deal damage upon the death of your creatures, Spiteful Prankster lacks the power buff but compensates with a more generous trigger condition not limited to only your non-token creatures. Hissing Iguanar is another card in this damage-on-death category but is strictly limited to your own creatures and always directs its damage to an opponent rather than any target.

Each of these cards provides a different strategic advantage, with Spiteful Prankster’s any-target flexibility and consistent tick of damage making it a potential game-changer in decks designed around creature sacrifices.

Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Judith, the Scourge Diva - MTG Card versions
Hissing Iguanar - MTG Card versions
Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Judith, the Scourge Diva - MTG Card versions
Hissing Iguanar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spiteful Prankster by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
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Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
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Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Spiteful Prankster. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mardu SacrificeMardu Sacrifice GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024
Mardu AggroMardu Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spiteful Prankster can offer indirect card advantage by dealing damage as creatures die, potentially clearing the board or pressuring the opponent’s life total without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Spiteful Prankster doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its passive ability has a potentially resource-depleting effect on opponents, as they may need to spend cards to address the threat, thus skewing resource parity in your favor.

Instant Speed: Spiteful Prankster itself may not have an instant speed ability; however, its triggered ability activates at instant speed. Regardless of whose turn it is, if a creature you controlled is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, it prompts immediate action and deals damage, offering tactical benefits that can impact the game state without waiting for sorcery speed opportunities.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Spiteful Prankster demands a discard from your hand to activate its ability. This could diminish your hand size, leading to a detrimental position if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red mana and generic mana, Spiteful Prankster can be challenging to cast on curve unless your mana base is specifically tailored to accommodate this color demand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a cost of three mana, the card sits at a critical point in the game where players aim to establish a board presence or set up their strategy. Many alternatives could offer immediate impact or greater versatility for the same or lesser investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spiteful Prankster offers a significant advantage in decks that create numerous creatures, as it thrives in scenarios where creatures are frequently hitting the graveyard. Its ability to deal damage to any target makes it a flexible choice in a variety of game situations.

Combo Potential: This card becomes particularly potent when combined with mechanics that involve sacrificing creatures or with decks designed around token generation. The constant stream of damage can quickly add up, providing a reliable win condition that’s hard to ignore.

Meta-Relevance: Given the persistent nature of creature-based strategies in the MTG metagame, Spiteful Prankster can serve as a countermeasure against opponent’s creatures dying during play, tipping the game in your favor. Its role in the meta is to deter opponents from removing your creatures, knowing they’ll pay a price for each one that falls.


How to beat

Spiteful Prankster presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This red creature becomes a persistent threat, not through direct combat, but by dealing damage each time another creature dies. If you’re facing off against this trickster, it’s essential to strategize wisely. To neutralize the Prankster, consider utilizing creature removal spells that can exile rather than destroy, thus preventing the damage trigger.

Another tactic is to manage the number of creatures you have in play. Limiting the targets minimizes the potential harm the Prankster can cause. Cards with lifegain abilities can also help offset the damage done when your creatures perish. Moreover, including cards that can grant you hexproof or shroud will protect you from being chosen as a target of the Prankster’s ability. Key is to control the flow of the game, keeping your valuable creatures safe while handling the threats posed without letting Spiteful Prankster turn your own strategies against you.

In essence, arming yourself with the right spells and tactics will help maintain an upper hand. A measured approach of precision removal and protection ensures that Spiteful Prankster’s mischievous tactics don’t disrupt your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the strategic depths of MTG can be as cunning as the Spiteful Prankster card itself. Understanding the nuances of every play is instrumental in dictating the pace of the game. With Spiteful Prankster, your deck gains a clever ally, turning the tide by capitalizing on the inevitable demise of creatures. Whether bolstering your arsenal or refining your tactics against this card, knowledge is the key that unlocks its full potential. We encourage all players to keep expanding their horizons. Learn the intricacies, forge the ideal deck, and find out how Spiteful Prankster could be the wildcard in your next duel. Dive deeper with us and secure your triumphs in the MTG arena.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spiteful Prankster MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Spiteful Prankster and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spiteful Prankster Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-17 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Antonio José Manzanedo.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-17JumpstartJMP 262015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6062015NormalBlackAntonio José Manzanedo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spiteful Prankster has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spiteful Prankster card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-06-23 If another creature dies at the same time as Spiteful Prankster, Spiteful Prankster’s last ability triggers for that creature.
2020-06-23 If your life total is brought to 0 or less at the same time that a creature is dealt lethal damage, you lose the game before Spiteful Prankster’s ability goes on the stack.