Talas Researcher MTG Card
1998-06-24 - Number 51
2011-01-10 - Number 66
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate Wizard |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
On your turn, before you attack, you may tap Talas Researcher to draw a card.
From time, knowledge. From knowledge, power.
Cards like Talas Researcher
Talas Researcher takes its place in the pantheon of creature cards with built-in card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. With parallels to cards like Looter il-Kor, the Talas Researcher has the advantageous ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to a player. Unlike Looter il-Kor, which has shadow making it unblockable except by creatures with shadow, Talas Researcher requires a bit more finesse to connect with the opponent due to its lack of evasion.
In the circle of similar cards, we also notice the likes of Thieving Magpie. While the Magpie shares the card-drawing ability upon damage infliction, it also carries a higher mana cost compared to the Researcher. However, it does fly over ground defenses which provides more consistent card draw potential. Lastly, let’s consider Shadowmage Infiltrator, renowned for its ability to be unblockable by creatures with power three or greater. This gives it a relatively easier avenue to hit the opponent and snag a card, yet it comes with a slightly higher cost and exists across two colors, which may limit deck inclusion based on mana availability.
Ultimately, when evaluating Talas Researcher against its counterparts, it finds its strength in mono-blue decks that can utilize tricks and artifacts to ensure it makes contact with the opponent, providing steady card advantage in the right build.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Talas Researcher ensures players maintain a strong hand by potentially drawing additional cards. This mechanism is crucial for adapting strategies on the fly and keeping pressure on opponents.
Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes well with decks focused on benefiting from pirate synergies or artifacts, thus acting as a catalyst for your overarching game strategy through potential resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves or optimize your own plays. Talas Researcher can be a critical component in a well-timed strategy, allowing for surprise shifts in the board state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Talas Researcher comes with the stipulation that you must discard a card in order to activate its ability. This condition can pose a significant challenge during gameplay, particularly if you’re running short on cards in hand. Having to discard can compromise your position, especially if the discarded card could be crucial for future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost for Talas Researcher’s ability requires blue mana, which may not seamlessly fit into every deck strategy. Players utilizing multi-color decks or those without a strong blue mana base might find it difficult to make the most out of Talas Researcher’s potential.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost to get onto the battlefield, Talas Researcher might not be the most mana-efficient option available. For players looking to optimize their mana spend, especially in decks that aim to curve out efficiently, Talas Researcher may not provide the best return on investment relative to other cards with similar or lower mana costs that offer direct card draw or other valuable effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Talas Researcher offers adaptability as an inclusion in blue-focused decks, lending itself well to strategies involving card draw and manipulation.
Combo Potential: As a card that supports digging for key pieces, Talas Researcher synergizes with combos reliant on specific card interactions or sequences.
Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in sculpting a player’s hand, Talas Researcher proves to be a strong contender in metagames that prize information and strategic planning.
How to beat
Talas Researcher is a card that requires a tactical approach to overcome in a game of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that potentially allows a player to gain card advantage, it’s imperative to limit its usability. One effective strategy is to remove it from play before its abilities can be activated. Instant removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can effectively handle this threat before your opponent gets the chance to draw extra cards.
Another viable method is to utilize counterspells, such as Negate or Dovin’s Veto, to prevent Talas Researcher from hitting the battlefield in the first place. This preemptive strike ensures that you won’t have to deal with the card draws and tactical advantage it could provide your opponent.
To successfully counter Talas Researcher, staying one step ahead is important. Keeping mana open for removal or counter magic can mean the difference between maintaining control of the game or letting your opponent snowball their lead with additional card draws. By implementing these strategies, you can effectively neutralize Talas Researcher’s impact and maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Talas Researcher MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Masters Edition IV, 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 Talas Researcher 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 Talas Researcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Kaja Foglio.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 51 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 66 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Talas Researcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Talas Researcher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-20 | If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn. |