Opportunist MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	1997-10-14
Set symbol
Set name	Tempest
Set code	TMP
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	194
Frame	1997
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Dan Frazier

Key Takeaways

Opportunist offers card draw with creature deaths, making it a game-changer for resource advantage.
It demands precise mana, and its casting cost may hinder its play across diverse decks.
Versatile and meta-relevant, Opportunist shines in creature-focused strategies and combos.

Text of card

oc T: Opportunist deals 1 damage to target creature that was damaged this turn.

The third time the Oracle glanced suspiciously at him, Starke decided she had glanced twice too often.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Opportunist card enables a draw each time a creature dies, providing a continuous source to outpace your opponents in resource management over the course of the game.

Resource Acceleration: By transforming deaths on the battlefield into opportunities for growth, you can build a formidable position that accelerates your gameplay and opens avenues for dynamic plays.

Instant Speed: Reacting to the ever-changing battlefield at instant speed, Opportunist ensures you’re equipped to exploit each passing turn, keeping you one step ahead of the competition.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Opportunist card necessitates discarding another card from your hand to tap into its full potential. This mandatory discard can be particularly punishing when you’re clinging to a dwindling hand size and every card counts towards your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Opportunist requires a precise mana alignment, which can prove to be restrictive. Decks that are not fine-tuned to meet this specific cost may struggle to play it on curve, limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its effects, Opportunist faces stiff competition from other cards in its class. Players might find that other options offer similar or greater benefits without the hefty mana investment, making it less favorable in deck-building considerations.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Opportunist is a card that proves its worth in a variety of deck builds. Its ability to swiftly generate advantage when an opponent’s creature dies makes it adaptable to different playing styles and strategies.

Combo Potential: With its trigger upon an opponent’s creature death, Opportunist works seamlessly within strategies focused on creature removal or sacrifice, amplifying the value gained from each fallen adversary.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are prominent, Opportunist’s innate capability to draw cards can keep your hand full and grant you the upper edge in resource competition.

How to Beat the Opportunist Card

Understanding your opponent’s deck and key strategies is crucial when facing the Opportunist card in Magic: The Gathering. This card’s ability to take advantage of creatures dying can quickly snowball into an advantage for your opponent if not addressed promptly. As such, employing the right tactics becomes essential to neutralize this threat and maintain the upper hand in the game.

Firstly, one effective strategy is to minimize the number of creature deaths. This could mean avoiding unnecessary combat where you may lose creatures, or using removal spells on Opportunist after it has been declared as an attacker or blocker, thus preventing the card draw ability from triggering. Also, consider running graveyard hate cards, such as Scavenging Ooze or Tormod’s Crypt, that can hamper the ability of Opportunist by removing creatures from the graveyard before its triggered ability can resolve.

Additionally, using instant-speed removals such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile to dispatch Opportunist before it can generate value for your opponent is a key tactic. Careful timing of your spells to disrupt your opponent’s plans and the disciplined management of your resources can turn the tables against Opportunist and help you maintain control of the game.

Cards like Opportunist

Opportunist stands out among creature cards with its ability to draw a card when an opponent’s creature with a power of 2 or less enters the battlefield. This is similar in concept to Seer’s Lantern, which also allows a player to draw a card, yet it involves scrying and doesn’t depend on the opponent’s creatures. Opportunist’s specific trigger condition sets it apart and can be strategically advantageous in decks that control or benefit from opponent’s creature plays.

Another comparable card is Mentor of the Meek. Just like Opportunist, it allows drawing a card when creatures of a certain power come into play. However, Opportunist is triggered by an opponent’s action, whereas Mentor of the Meek responds to the user’s creatures, providing card advantage in a more proactive manner. This subtle difference can affect deck-building decisions based on whether a player prefers reactive or proactive strategies.

Ultimately, Opportunist carves a niche for itself in the realm of reactive draw strategies, offering consistent card advantage in a metagame filled with low-power creatures. Its unique ability to capitalize on opponent’s plays makes it a valuable tool for any player looking to outmaneuver their adversaries and maintain card flow throughout the game.

Seer's Lantern - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Cards similar to Opportunist by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions

Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)

Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)

Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)

Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)

Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)

Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Opportunist MTG card by a specific set like Tempest, 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 Opportunist and other MTG cards: