Cutthroat il-Dal MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Abilities Hellbent
Power 4
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Cutthroat il-Dal excels at controlling the game by providing card advantage and resource disruption against opponents.
  2. Flexible instant speed ability offers strategic play options and enhances unpredictability during matches.
  3. Despite high mana costs, it remains a versatile creature, beneficial in certain metagames for consistent unblockable attacks.

Text of card

Hellbent Cutthroat il-Dal has shadow as long as you have no cards in hand. (It can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.)

Her blades slashed across the noble's shadow. He scoffed, then fell over dead.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cutthroat il-Dal possesses an efficient mechanism that can provide card advantage by subtly disrupting your opponent’s hand while forging your own strategy. This can tilt the balance of control in your favor throughout the duel.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resources, Cutthroat il-Dal facilitates resource acceleration by potentially removing key pieces from your opponent’s puzzle, enabling you to surge ahead unimpeded in your resource development.

Instant Speed: This sneaky creature’s abilities can be employed at instant speed, allowing strategic flexibility and surprise plays. You can execute actions on the opponent’s turn, maintaining unpredictability and keeping your opponent guessing about your next move.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cutthroat il-Dal necessitates discarding a card, posing a challenge during crucial moments when your hand is nearly empty.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a distinct combination of mana types which might restrict deck-building options and overall versatility within different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being quite steep for its power and toughness, there are alternative creatures that could offer more board presence or impact at a similar or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Cutthroat il-Dal in Your Collection

Versatility: Cutthroat il-Dal is a nimble addition to any black-aligned deck. Its shadow ability allows it to slip past blockers, making it a consistent source of damage to opponents.

Combo Potential: This creature pairs well with equipment and enchantments that capitalize on unblockable attackers. Enhancing it can quickly create a significant threat on the battlefield, especially when combined with cards that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: Within certain metagames, where evasion is key, Cutthroat il-Dal shines. As board states become cluttered with creatures, having a reliable source of unblockable damage can be the decisive factor in a tightly-contested game.


How to beat

Cutthroat il-Dal is a strategic MTG card that players can find both challenging and rewarding to encounter. This card stands out with its evasive abilities, making it a potential threat that can slip through defenses. Unlike many creatures, Cutthroat il-Dal can’t be blocked except by black and artifact creatures, setting the stage for unblocked attacks if not properly countered. For players seeking to overcome this stealthy adversary, consider employing a rounded defense with ample black or artifact creatures to nullify its evasion.

Furthermore, removal spells are invaluable when facing down Cutthroat il-Dal. Utilize targeted removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile to efficiently dispatch it. Direct damage spells also serve well in this scenario; wielding a Lightning Bolt can easily take care of the il-Dal menace. It’s crucial to stay prepared with these kinds of responses. In the grander scheme of deck building, ensure your strategy includes versatile removal options to swiftly deal with evasive threats like Cutthroat il-Dal. By doing so, you’ll fortify your game plan and reduce the chances of this card cutting a swath through your defenses.


Cards like Cutthroat il-Dal

Cutthroat il-Dal is an intriguing option for those looking to enhance their stealth strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card mirrors characteristics of other shadow creatures, such as Dauthi Horror, which also can’t be blocked except by creatures with shadow. Although Dauthi Horror lacks the potential for power increase, it compensates with its stable two mana cost as compared to Cutthroat il-Dal’s escalating echo cost.

Examining Soltari Trooper reveals a shared unblockable trait through shadow, yet this card differentiates itself with a straightforward approach that boosts its power with each attack without an additional cost. In contrast, Cutthroat il-Dal requires a sacrifice for its power surge, demanding a more calculated play strategy. Then there’s Thalakos Seer, adding a layer of strategy with its draw card ability upon leaving play, providing card advantage but at a more leisurely tempo than the aggressive Cutthroat il-Dal.

Ultimately, within the realm of unblockable shadow creatures, Cutthroat il-Dal stands out for players who value growth potential and tactical sacrifice to overpower their adversaries in a more dynamic fashion.

Dauthi Horror - MTG Card versions
Soltari Trooper - MTG Card versions
Thalakos Seer - MTG Card versions
Dauthi Horror - Tempest (TMP)
Soltari Trooper - Tempest (TMP)
Thalakos Seer - Tempest (TMP)

Cards similar to Cutthroat il-Dal by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Deathgazer - MTG Card versions
Dirty Wererat - MTG Card versions
Faceless Butcher - MTG Card versions
Crowd of Cinders - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - Chronicles (CHR)
Rag Man - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Phyrexian Debaser - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Slinking Skirge - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Gravedigger - The List (PLST)
Scandalmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Urborg Shambler - Invasion (INV)
Whispering Shade - Odyssey (ODY)
Filth - Judgment (JUD)
Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Toxin Sliver - Legions (LGN)
Vampiric Spirit - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nim Shambler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Deathgazer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Dirty Wererat - Hachette UK (PHUK)
Faceless Butcher - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Crowd of Cinders - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cutthroat il-Dal MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 il-Dal and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cutthroat il-Dal Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Vance Kovacs.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 642003normalblackVance Kovacs
22021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1052015normalblackVance Kovacs

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cutthroat il-Dal has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 If an attacking creature has multiple evasion abilities, such as shadow and flying, a creature can block it only if that creature satisfies all of the appropriate evasion abilities.
2021-03-19 Multiple instances of shadow on the same creature are redundant.
2021-03-19 Once a creature has been blocked, that creature remains blocked and will deal and be dealt combat damage even if it gains or loses shadow or if the blocking creature gains or loses shadow.

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