Swat MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 69
2002-10-07 - Number 174
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Cycling |
Text of card
Destroy target creature with power 2 or less. Cycling (You may pay and discard this card from your hand to draw a card. Play this ability as an instant.)
Cards like Swat
Swat is an intriguing tactical choice for players delving into the black spells of Magic: The Gathering. If we look at fatal spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat, we see Swat holds its own with a comparable creature elimination ability. Like Doom Blade, Swat offers a way to remove creatures, but with the additional requirement of them having flying. However, unlike Doom Blade, which is restricted to non-black creatures, Swat can target any color as long as the creature has flying.
Terror is another card that shares similarities with Swat. It can destroy any creature without regeneration, much like Swat, but lacks the flight-specific constraint, making it a broader removal option. Meanwhile, Dead Weight offers a different approach by reducing a creature’s power and toughness. While not a direct kill spell like Swat, it can neutralize or weaken threats on the board, affecting the outcome of combats and potential creature abilities.
Overall, Swat carves a niche for itself among black removal spells in Magic: The Gathering by specializing in aerial threats. Its selective utility can be a perfect answer to strategies heavily reliant on fliers and is a testament to the strategic depth offered in choosing the right card for a specific deck build.
Cards similar to Swat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Swat not only disrupts the opponent’s strategy by removing an important creature but also replaces itself in your hand by allowing you to draw a card. This keeps your resources healthy and maintains pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By eliminating a key threat, Swat effectively accelerates your game plan. Though it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, it can pave the way for your own creatures and spells to dominate the battlefield unopposed.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed gives Swat flexibility, allowing you to respond to threats in real-time. This adaptability is crucial in MTG, as it lets you efficiently manage your resources while keeping your opponent on their toes, never quite sure when you might unleash a game-changing play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Swat in your deck means you have to be prepared to sacrifice another card from your hand, reducing your available options especially when you’re playing a tight game where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Swat’s casting cost necessitates black mana, which can restrict flexibility. The card cannot be seamlessly integrated into decks that don’t run on black mana, which might hamper deck building strategies and color balance within a deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher end for removal spells, Swat may not be the first choice when efficiency is key. MTG players often opt for spells that accomplish similar goals at a lower cost, leaving more mana available for other plays on their turn.
Reasons to Include Swat in Your Collection
Versatility: Swat is a practical choice for any collection due to its ability to seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its instant speed removal offers a dynamic answer to threats on the battlefield across multiple game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card plays well with setups aiming to capitalize on spellcasting triggers or those needing to complete a set of instant spells for larger synergies. Its low cost also allows it to be a flexible component in spell-heavy decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given its function as a creature removal tool, Swat remains relevant in environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent. It can disrupt opponents’ tempo and remove key pieces from their game plan, making it a valuable asset in shifting metas.
How to beat
Swat in MTG offers a tactical advantage, allowing players to counter target creature spells with great efficiency when casting from the graveyard. To outmaneuver Swat, it’s crucial to anticipate and prepare for this move. One effective strategy is to bait the Swat cast. This involves playing less critical creatures first to draw out Swat, leaving the path clear for your more significant threats. Similarly, running cards with hexproof or shroud provides innate protection against targeted spells like Swat, making your creatures immune to its effects.
Another approach is to utilize instants and flash-enabled creatures to play on your opponent’s turn, diminishing the advantage that Swat gains from its casting requirement. Also, having counterspells ready can neutralize Swat, especially since it requires a creature spell in the graveyard to be cast effectively. By carefully managing the stack and choosing the right moments to deploy creatures, players can navigate around the disruptive potential that Swat presents in the game of MTG.
In summary, while Swat can be a formidable tool for controlling creature spells, through strategic play, baiting tactics, and the right protective measures, players can effectively mitigate its impact and maintain the upper hand in their MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Swat MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Onslaught, 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 Swat 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
Printings
The Swat Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2002-10-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 69 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 2 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 174 | 1997 | Normal | Black | rk post |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Swat has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Swat card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | Cycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with cycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not. |