Thalakos Deceiver MTG Card


Grants pivotal creature control, bolstering board state without extra card expenditure from hand. Demands specific mana and discarding cards, limiting adaptability and often influencing hand advantage. Shadow ability and combo potential make it a game-changer suitable for certain strategic decks.
Thalakos Deceiver - Stronghold
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Thalakos Wizard
Abilities Shadow
Released1998-03-02
Set symbol
Set nameStronghold
Set codeSTH
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number45
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byAndrew Robinson

Text of card

Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.) Sacrifice Thalakos Deceiver: Gain control of target creature permanently. Use this ability only if Thalakos Deceiver is attacking and unblocked.


Cards like Thalakos Deceiver

Thalakos Deceiver is an intriguing creature from the world of Magic: The Gathering with a potent ability to shift the tide of any match. As we delve into cards with similar functions, we can compare Willbreaker, which also feeds on the manipulation of opponent’s creatures. Excelling in control strategies, both have the power to permanently gain control of creatures, but Thalakos Deceiver requires a combat damage trigger and a sacrifice to seize the power play.

Looking further, we find Sower of Temptation which, similar to Thalakos Deceiver, can immediately gain control of a creature upon entering the battlefield. However, the Sower’s grasp on the controlled creature is tenuous, breaking if it leaves the battlefield. Thalakos Deceiver, on the other hand, offers a more permanent solution to your control needs. While Thalakos Deceiver demands more strategic play, it paves the way for definitive game swings when optimized.

Ultimately, when it comes to selectively displacing your opponent’s assets, Thalakos Deceiver stands as a formidable option. Its capacity for ongoing creature control, given its specific conditions, affords it a unique place in Magic: The Gathering strategies oriented toward domination on the battlefield.

Willbreaker - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Willbreaker - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thalakos Deceiver by color, type and mana cost

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Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Argent Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Lumengrid Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thalakos Deceiver provides a strategic boost by allowing you to gain control of an opponent’s creature when it deals damage to a player. This not only diminishes your opponent’s resources but also enhances your board presence without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Steal an opponent’s creature could lead to a swing in momentum by accelerating your resources on the board. The taken creature could potentially be used right away, effectively granting you an extra resource that may have synergies with your existing cards.

Instant Speed: While Thalakos Deceiver itself does not operate at instant speed, the control-changing effect can disrupt your opponent’s plans during their most vulnerable moments such as in the combat phase, allowing for unexpected turnarounds and strategic depth in games.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Thalakos Deceiver is its discard requirement to trigger its ability. This cost can set you back in terms of card advantage, especially in tight situations where each card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Thalakos Deceiver demands a precise mana combination to cast. Requiring both blue and black mana, it may not seamlessly fit into a diverse range of decks, potentially restricting its versatility across various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three generic and one blue mana, Thalakos Deceiver’s cost is on the higher side when considering its impact on the game. Players may find that other cards offer similar or more effective abilities at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thalakos Deceiver works in various decks, adapting well to multiple strategies. As a creature with shadow, it’s often unblockable, making it a reliable source for infiltrating defenses and executing key plays.

Combo Potential: Its ability to steal creatures after dealing combat damage opens up numerous combo avenues. This potential makes it a favorite among players who enjoy creatively juggling their options during the game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature control is pivotal, Thalakos Deceiver shines by shifting the balance in your favor. Its relevance in the meta can swing games, especially in matches that are decided by pivotal creature interactions and board presence.


How to beat

Thalakos Deceiver, a card in Magic: The Gathering, can be an under-the-radar threat capable of turning the tide of a game when it orchestrates the control of your opponent’s creatures. To effectively neutralize its impact, it’s essential to hinder its ability to successfully deal combat damage to a player. Controlled removal of creatures is a strategic method, as the Deceiver relies on successful combat to trigger its effect. Instant speed removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can effectively eliminate the Deceiver before its ability activates.

Additionally, employing cards that restrict creatures from attacking, such as Propaganda or Ghostly Prison, can limit the chances of the Deceiver making an impactful swing. Remember, creature-based strategies should focus on board presence and maintaining control, which diminishes the Deceiver’s likelihood of taking possession of one’s vital assets. Overall, prompt answers to the Thalakos Deceiver and a prevention-first mindset on the battlefield are key to undermining this potentially game-changing creature.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thalakos Deceiver MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Thalakos Deceiver and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thalakos Deceiver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thalakos Deceiver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2013-04-15 An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step.