Cutthroat Maneuver MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2013-09-27
Set symbol
Set name	Theros
Set code	THS
Number	82
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brad Rigney

Key Takeaways

Enhances two creatures at instant speed, offering surprise advantages during critical combat moments.
Requires card discard and specific mana, which may limit flexibility and strategic reserves.
Can be crucial for aggressive strategies, yet is vulnerable to well-timed removals or counters.

Text of card

Up to two target creatures each get +1/+1 and gain lifelink until end of turn.

"Our ambition drives us forward. Together we will claim what is ours, no matter who holds it."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cutthroat Maneuver enables players to augment two creatures simultaneously, thus potentially providing a two-for-one scenario where you’re improving your board presence while disarming an opponent’s strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly tied to resource acceleration, this spell can lead to a quickened pace in the game for you. By bolstering your creatures’ stats, you hasten the threats on the board, forcing opponents to respond or concede advantageous positions.

Instant Speed: One of the key benefits of Cutthroat Maneuver is its instant speed. This trait allows you to wait until the opportune moment during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn to surprise them with enhanced creatures. Such timing can turn the tide of battle and break the symmetry of an otherwise predictable game flow.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Cutthroat Maneuver card requires a player to discard another card from their hand to activate one of its abilities. This can put players at a significant disadvantage, particularly if they are already running low on hand options and need to maintain a strategic reserve of cards for future turns. Discarding could lead to a diminished ability to respond to an opponent’s plays, reducing strategic flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Cutthroat Maneuver demands a specific combination of mana types, including black mana, which may restrict its inclusion to decks that are tailored toward or heavily feature black. Players who do not run a deck capable of producing black mana will find this card challenging to cast, thus limiting its versatility across multiple playstyles and deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment required for Cutthroat Maneuver is relatively steep when compared to alternative cards that might offer similar or better effects. With a four-mana cost, players may find that other cards at lower mana values might fulfill a comparable role in their deck with greater efficiency, leaving more mana available for other tactics during their turn.

Reasons to Include Cutthroat Maneuver in Your Collection

Versatility: Cutthroat Maneuver’s ability to give two creatures +1/+1 and lifelink until end of turn makes it a flexible choice for a variety of decks. It is particularly effective in decks focused on creature synergy or those that require life gain as a resource.

Combo Potential: The instant nature of Cutthroat Maneuver allows it to surprise opponents during combat or in response to actions that would otherwise be detrimental to your creatures. Moreover, it pairs well with cards that have abilities triggered by lifelink or creature buffs.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are common, having a trick like Cutthroat Maneuver can turn the tides of battle in your favor. Not only can it serve as a defensive tool, but it can also be an offensive asset in races against opponents, making it a card worth considering in the current meta.

How to beat

Cutthroat Maneuver is an intriguing combat trick in the vast world of Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tides of battle quickly. With the ability to bolster not one, but two creatures with an increase in both power and, critically, toughness, it’s a card to watch out for during opponent’s attack phases or when they are setting up for defense.

However, Cutthroat Maneuver isn’t without its weaknesses. The card’s requirement for four mana, two of which must be black, can be a substantial investment in a turn, leaving opponents potentially more exposed elsewhere. To overcome this card, consider saving removal spells or counterspells for such pivotal moments when your opponent might aim to surprise you with increased lifelink and power. With careful play and properly timed responses, you can neutralize the power swing that Cutthroat Maneuver is capable of creating.

Countering this spell before it can impact the board or maintaining readiness to wipe out enhanced creatures ensures that your position remains strong. In essence, while Cutthroat Maneuver can be a formidable card under the right circumstances, with strategy and foresight, its impact can be mitigated, keeping you ahead in the game.

Cards like Cutthroat Maneuver

Cutthroat Maneuver is an intriguing option among combat trick cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to cards like Fortify, which also provides a power boost to creatures. However, Cutthroat Maneuver takes it up a notch by giving not one, but two creatures a +1/+1 bonus and lifelink until the end of the turn. Fortify, in comparison, can affect all creatures but lacks the lifelink, which can be a pivotal advantage in a tight match.

In the same category, we have Rush of Blood as another point of comparison. This spell impressively boosts a single creature’s power based on its toughness, offering potentially massive damage swings. While it doesn’t offer the lifelink or affect multiple creatures as Cutthroat Maneuver does, the potential for a game-ending strike can’t be ignored. On the other end, we have Inspired Charge, which buffs multiple creatures by +2/+1, shaping the battlefield in your favor, but again, without the benefit of lifelink.

Ultimately, Cutthroat Maneuver occupies a unique position. Its dual-target utility and the lifelink ability make it a considerable card when strategizing for creature-based combat scenarios in Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cutthroat Maneuver MTG card by a specific set like Theros, 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 Cutthroat Maneuver and other MTG cards: