Stalking Assassin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Assassin |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 277 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dana Knutson |
Text of card
o3o U, oc T: Tap target creature. o3o B, oc T: Destroy target tapped creature.
Cards like Stalking Assassin
Stalking Assassin emerges as a unique entity within the roster of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card invites comparison with Royal Assassin, both sharing the ability to destroy tapped creatures. While Stalking Assassin necessitates being unblocked to utilize its assassination ability, Royal Assassin can activate its deadly power while stationed on the battlefield, offering strategic flexibility.
Another card to consider is Avatar of Woe. Though requiring a setup of ten creatures in graveyards to activate for a reduced cost, its ability to destroy creatures without tapping presents a fearsome board control advantage. Unlike Stalking Assassin that must engage in combat to assassinate, Avatar of Woe has the liberty to annihilate at will, a significant edge in tense board states.
These variations underscore the diversity of creature capabilities in Magic: The Gathering. Stalking Assassin holds its own with its requirement of calculated combat risks to trigger its effect, exemplifying the precision and thrill of playing with stealthy, lethal tactics in the game.
Cards similar to Stalking Assassin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stalking Assassin presents a unique opportunity to control the battlefield by selectively removing key creatures, which can tip the scales in your favor. This, in turn, may lead to indirect card advantage as you’re potentially nullifying the threats your opponent spent cards to play.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, Stalking Assassin can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. By efficiently managing your resources to maintain this threat on the board, you are effectively forcing your opponent to spend resources, possibly deterrents, in a vain attempt to deal with the assassin instead of furthering their own board state.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Stalking Assassin’s abilities at instant speed is a significant strategic edge. It allows you to disrupt your opponent’s plans on their turn, maintaining the element of surprise and giving you the flexibility to respond to threats as they arise, rather than having to preemptively guess during your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Utilizing Stalking Assassin efficiently requires a strategic approach to hand management. Having to potentially discard a valuable card to leverage this creature’s abilities could pose a considerable downside during tight gameplay situations.
Specific Mana Cost: Stalking Assassin’s activation cost demands a precise combination of blue and black mana, which can be restrictive. This specificity can make it difficult to seamlessly incorporate into multi-colored decks that may not consistently produce the necessary mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the mana investment versus the return, Stalking Assassin’s cost to get onto the battlefield and activate its abilities is on the higher end. Other creatures or spells may offer similar or better effects with a lower mana commitment, potentially making them more attractive options for deck builders aiming for efficiency.
Reasons to Include Stalking Assassin in Your Collection
Versatility: Stalking Assassin is a card that can seamlessly slot into various deck archetypes, particularly those seeking to control the board. Its ability to potentially remove key threats from the game allows it to be a handy tool in any player’s arsenal.
Combo Potential: This card presents interesting synergies with cards that manipulate or benefit from creature removal. It enables different strategies to flourish by providing a recurring method to deal with opponent’s creatures, enhancing both offensive and defensive game plans.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt opponent strategies, Stalking Assassin gains importance in a meta dominated by creature-based tactics. Its presence in your collection ensures you have an answer to decks that rely heavily on creature synergies and board presence.
How to Beat
The Stalking Assassin card in MTG presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. With its stealthy abilities, it lets players take out key threats quietly and efficiently. However, overcoming this elusive foe is about disrupting its mechanics. Cards that grant hexproof to your creatures can effectively shield them from Stalking Assassin’s targeted elimination. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal can catch the assassin before it activates its ability, or you could use board wipes to clear the field entirely, taking out the assassin in the process.
Moreover, countering the activation of Stalking Assassin’s ability with spells like Stifle or by removing the creature response to the activation, such as with a Quickling’s bounce-effect, can negate its impact. Always be mindful of open mana from your opponent that might signal the readiness to use the assassin’s ability. Finally, including cards that prohibit your opponent from targeting your creatures or that penalize them for targeting, such as Sigarda, Host of Herons, can deter opponents from utilizing their Stalking Assassin or at least lessen its effectiveness.
When faced with this slippery adversary, strategic planning and a keen sense of timing are key. By incorporating these tactics, you can neutralize the Stalking Assassin and maintain dominance on the playing field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stalking Assassin MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Stalking Assassin 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 Stalking Assassin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |