Subterranean Scout MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 164
2022-12-02 - Number 609
2023-01-13 - Number 143
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Scout |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Subterranean Scout enters the battlefield, target creature with power 2 or less can't be blocked this turn.
When things get ugly above ground, goblins resort to alternate routes of passage.
Cards like Subterranean Scout
Exploring the utility of Subterranean Scout in the panorama of MTG cards, we notice its knack for sneaking creatures past opposition. Subterranean Scout allows a small creature to become unblockable for that turn, a trait akin to cards like Goblin Tunneler. The Tunneler, however, requires tapping and can only target creatures with power 2 or less, unlike the Scout’s broader application.
Glaring similarities can be seen when comparing to Artful Dodge. Both enforce the evasion game, but Artful Dodge does so at a cheaper mana cost and with the added flexibility of flashback. The trade-off is that Artful Dodge doesn’t put a creature on the board. Another card to consider in relation to the Scout is Distortion Strike, offering repeated unblockability and a bonus to the creature’s power.
Assessing these comparisons, Subterranean Scout holds its position in MTG as a solid option for players aiming to guarantee that key creatures can swing for damage unimpeded. It may not have the recurring utility of some alternatives, but it compensates by adding presence on the board and immediate impact when played.
Cards similar to Subterranean Scout by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Subterranean Scout itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, it has the potential advantage of enabling creatures with beneficial enter-the-battlefield effects to connect without being blocked. This can indirectly lead to card advantage by allowing you to capitalize on those effects and maintain board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Subterranean Scout can be considered a form of resource acceleration in decks that benefit from creatures connecting with the opponent. It helps ensure your other creatures can swing in unimpeded, possibly triggering other abilities that result in gaining extra resources or applying significant pressure to the adversary.
Instant Speed: Even though Subterranean Scout is not played at instant speed, its ability affects the battlefield immediately upon entering. It allows a creature with power 2 or less to become unblockable that turn, which can be crucial for fast, aggressive strategies aiming to catch the opponent off guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The need to discard a card can be a steep price, especially in decks where each card is vital for your strategy. Subterranean Scout doesn’t include this as part of its abilities, but it’s a consideration to keep in mind when building your deck around it.
Specific Mana Cost: Subterranean Scout requires red mana in its casting cost, which could restrict its inclusion to only red or multicolored decks. This specific mana necessity means it may not fit into the mana base of a variety of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Subterranean Scout’s mana cost is not excessively high, it is important to weigh its abilities against other cards with similar mana investments. For two mana, the expected impact might not keep pace with other options available to players in the game’s current meta.
Reasons to Include Subterranean Scout in Your Collection
Versatility: Subterranean Scout is a flexible card that can sneak into a variety of Red decks. Its ability to grant unblockability to another creature makes it a valuable asset in strategies that hinge on dealing combat damage, such as enabling prowess triggers or ensuring a key creature connects for effects like hitting with equipment or auras.
Combo Potential: This card can be pivotal in combining with creatures that have on-hit effects. By making sure they can’t be blocked for a turn, Subterranean Scout helps in executing combative synergies or even enabling an unexpected win with cards that benefit from successful attacks.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where ground creatures often clash head-to-head, Subterranean Scout offers an edge by bypassing potential blockers. It is especially significant in a meta filled with decks that try to win through creature combat rather than alternative win conditions.
How to Beat
Subterranean Scout is an agile card choice for those looking to sneak creatures past enemy lines in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to make a fellow creature unblockable this turn if it has power 2 or less evolves gameplay to a more strategic level. The subtlety resides in utilizing small creatures, turning them into critical threats that can bypass your opponent’s defenses with ease.
To counter this stealthy tactic, players should consider maintaining an array of removal spells. Since the Scout’s ability triggers when it enters the battlefield, instant-speed removal can disrupt this play, ensuring the intended unblockable creature remains blockable. Additionally, cards that can adjust an opponent’s creature power on the fly can prove invaluable. Upping the power above the threshold right as the Scout attempts to employ its ability transforms a surefire plan into a faltered strategy.
Aside from removals and power manipulations, one could also employ creatures with reach or effects that permit creatures to block additional attackers, mitigating the Scout’s ability to clear a path. Thus, though Subterranean Scout presents a tactical edge for swiftness, a well-prepared defense with the right spells and abilities can quickly turn the tides against it.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Subterranean Scout MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins 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 Subterranean Scout 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 Subterranean Scout Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Lucas Graciano.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 609 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano | |
| 3 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Subterranean Scout has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |