Thieving Magpie MTG Card
1999-06-07 - Number 49
2001-04-11 - Number 104
2001-04-11 - Number 104★
2003-07-28 - Number 107
2003-07-28 - Number 107★
2005-07-29 - Number 103★
2005-07-29 - Number 103
2007-07-13 - Number 115★
2007-07-13 - Number 115
2010-06-04 - Number 16
2019-11-07 - Number 518
2023-01-13 - Number 68
2020-09-26 - Number UDS-49
| Card sets | Released in 13 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Thieving Magpie deals damage to one of your opponents, you draw a card.
Rayne once made several unkind comparisons between the bird's naked opportunism and Urza's.
Understanding Thieving Magpie’s Role
Thieving Magpie is a unique creature card that has held its place in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to draw a card whenever it deals damage to an opponent. In many ways, it can be likened to cards such as Bident of Thassa, which also enables card draw with combat damage, but extends this ability to all creatures you control, not just itself. However, Thieving Magpie stands out for being a creature itself, ready to act individually without relying on other creatures on the battlefield.
Cards like Thieving Magpie
When considering cards akin to Thieving Magpie, it’s evident that it shares a conceptual lineage with the likes of the Baleful Strix. Both creatures offer more than just their combat capabilities. While Thieving Magpie allows a card draw with direct player damage, Baleful Strix provides card draw upon entering the battlefield, as well as deathtouch for deterrence. The balancing act between these cards comes down to immediate draw versus potential repeating benefits. We also observe Coastal Piracy, which mimics the Bident of Thassa effect, sustaining card advantage through relentless attacks, albeit without providing the body to attack that the Magpie does.
Ultimately, Thieving Magpie offers a repeatable effect that can steadily tip the scales in your favor, making it a noteworthy option for any player seeking to merge offense with card advantage on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Thieving Magpie by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Every time Thieving Magpie deals damage to an opponent, you’re entitled to draw a card. This repetitive draw effect keeps your hand replenished, creating a constant flow of options and hampering the possibility of running out of steam during long duels.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, the consistent card draw from Thieving Magpie can lead to more land pulls and other resource acceleration spells, indirectly speeding up your game plan and paving the way to your victory.
Instant Speed: While Thieving Magpie itself isn’t an instant, the card plays well with instant speed spells. It encourages a defensive playstyle where you can attack with Thieving Magpie and still hold up mana for instant speed interactions on your opponent’s turn. This pressure and flexibility combination can often lead to significant advantages as the game progresses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the context of Thieving Magpie, while the card itself does not have a discard requirement, it’s crucial to acknowledge that maintaining card advantage can be tricky. When Thieving Magpie draws you a card upon dealing combat damage to a player, it’s beneficial, but it comes at a cost – ensuring the bird can continue to attack safely, and that might require other card sacrifices to keep the path clear.
Specific Mana Cost: Thieving Magpie demands a strict blue mana presence with a casting cost that includes two blue mana symbols. This may pose a challenge for multicolored decks vying to balance versatile mana bases, ultimately limiting Thieving Magpie’s inclusion to primarily blue or blue-heavy decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two that must be blue, Thieving Magpie’s effect of drawing a card upon inflicting combat damage may be less resource-efficient compared to other options. Considering the creature’s base stats of 1/3, players might find alternative card draw mechanisms that provide more immediate value or a stronger board presence for the same or less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Thieving Magpie fits seamlessly into blue-based control or midrange decks with its ability to draw cards while applying pressure on the opponent.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that allow multiple attack phases or untapping creatures, Thieving Magpie can turn into an engine, offering repeated card advantage to outpace competitors.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games typically extend into the late stages, Thieving Magpie’s consistent card draw can provide the resources needed to close out matches against slower, control-oriented decks.
How to beat
Thieving Magpie is known for its subtle but consistent card advantage mechanism in Magic: The Gathering as it allows players to draw a card whenever it deals combat damage to a player. Tackling this avian nuisance requires a strategic approach. Control the board with removal spells or blockers that can handle flying creatures, negating the Magpie’s opportunity to chip away at your defenses and draw additional cards for your opponent.
Effective tactics include utilizing instant-speed removal like ‘Murder’ to eliminate the Magpie before it strikes or setting up aerial defense using cards like ‘Wind Drake’. Ensnaring it with enchantments like ‘Pacifism’ is also an option to prevent its attack ability, thereby stopping the card draw trigger. If your strategy involves a long game, prioritize cards that can outvalue the incremental advantage a Thieving Magpie might provide, or simply overwhelm your opponent with more aggressive plays, reducing the relevancy of their extra draw.
Remember, the key to overcoming Thieving Magpie lies in hindering its ability to engage in combat. Counter it swiftly, outpace its slow card draw, or employ cards that neutralize its abilities, and this pesky bird won’t steal the win from you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Thieving Magpie MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny and Seventh Edition, 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 Thieving Magpie 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 Thieving Magpie Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 1999-06-07 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-06-07 | Urza's Destiny | UDS | 49 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 104 | 1997 | Normal | White | Christopher Moeller | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 104★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 107 | 2003 | Normal | White | Christopher Moeller | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 107★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 103★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 103 | 2003 | Normal | White | Una Fricker | |
| 8 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 115★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 9 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 115 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 10 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 11 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 518 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | |
| 12 | The List | PLST | UDS-49 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker | ||
| 13 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Una Fricker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Thieving Magpie has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |