Swarm Saboteur MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Ninja |
| Abilities | Conjure,Deathtouch,Ninjutsu |
| Released | 2022-03-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Kamigawa |
| Set code | YNEO |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 13 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alexey Kruglov |
Text of card
Ninjutsu (, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card onto the battlefield from your hand tapped and attacking.) Deathtouch Whenever Swarm Saboteur deals combat damage to a player, conjure a card named Virus Beetle into your hand.
Cards like Swarm Saboteur
In the landscape of MTG, Swarm Saboteur blazes its own trail as a unique creature card, but there are others that also sneak around with subtle disrupting abilities. Take Dark Confidant, a creature card that revolves around the risky yet rewarding play of revealing the top card of your library and putting that card into your hand at the cost of life points equivalent to its mana value. Swarm Saboteur differs as it doesn’t come with a self-damaging drawback and instead disrupts the opponent’s hand when it deals combat damage to a player.
Ohran Viper is another creature that operates on a hit-and-trigger basis, allowing you to draw a card upon dealing damage to a creature or player. While it shares the card advantage aspect with Swarm Saboteur, it misses the sabotage element of forcing the opponent to discard. Moreover, there’s Robber of the Rich, which provides potential card advantage by exiling the top card of an opponent’s library during an attack, though the conditions to cast those cards are more restrictive compared to the immediate impact Swarm Saboteur offers.
Comparatively, Swarm Saboteur stands out by offering a unique blend of aggression and control, allowing MTG players to apply pressure and potentially disrupt their opponent’s strategy in a tight, synergistic package.
Cards similar to Swarm Saboteur by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Swarm Saboteur. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Rakdos Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Holiday Night Magic | |
 | Jund Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Sultai Tempo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 09 2024 | |
 | Dimir Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024 | |
 | Golgari Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
| The Rock | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Swarm Saboteur shines by allowing you to potentially draw a card whenever it deals combat damage to a player, boosting your hand and options in play.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the card’s ability to infiltrate and possibly draw extra cards can lead to pulling more land or acceleration spells, indirectly increasing your resources.
Instant Speed: Even though Swarm Saboteur isn’t an instant, its synergy with instant-speed spells is notable. It can encourage an opponent to hold back blockers, potentially leaving the way open for other instant-speed interactions and surprises during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Swarm Saboteur’s ability necessitates discarding a card, which could deplete your hand, particularly in fast-paced games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and black mana, Swarm Saboteur’s casting cost demands a strict color commitment, potentially constraining deck-building options and limiting its inclusion to only certain types of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at three, including one colorless, one blue, and one black, it competes with other three-cost creatures and spells that may offer more immediate board impact or versatility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include Swarm Saboteur in Your Collection
Versatility: Swarm Saboteur is a nimble card that can slide into numerous deck archetypes. Its ability to chip away at an opponent’s hand gives it a place in strategies focused on disruption and resource denial.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with effects that benefit from dealing combat damage to a player. Integrating it into a deck with cards that capitalize on drawing or discarding can lead to potent combinations.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment often adapts, having a card like Swarm Saboteur can offer an edge against opponents. Its skill in removing key cards from players’ grips can tilt matches in your favor, especially in a format where information and hand quality are vital.
How to beat Swarm Saboteur
Swarm Saboteur can be a thorn in the side of many MTG players, especially when it adeptly utilizes its ability to sneak past unwary defenders. This deceptive Rogue creature flies under the radar, offering a player card advantage through its conniving ability that allows it to sneak in damage and draw a card when it isn’t blocked.
To effectively counter this slippery foe, consider employing removal spells that can target Swarm Saboteur without requiring it to be blocked. Spot removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are efficient ways to deal with this creature before it begins to generate value. Board wipes are another solid strategy if the Saboteurs come in numbers, ensuring that the collective threat they pose is mitigated in one fell swoop.
Ensnaring the Saboteur in a web of your control is key. Deploying blockers with reach or flying can deter attacks, though the real game-changer would be abilities or spells that nullify the Saboteur’s unblockable trait. Strategic foresight and timely reactions will guard you against this menace and maintain equilibrium on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Swarm Saboteur MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Kamigawa, 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 Swarm Saboteur 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Swarm Saboteur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |