Xantcha, Sleeper Agent MTG Card
2016-11-16 - Number 70719
2018-08-09 - Number 50
2021-06-22 - Number C1
2023-08-04 - Number 362
2023-08-04 - Number 595
2019-12-02 - Number 1271
2020-09-26 - Number C18-50
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Phyrexian Minion |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Key Takeaways
- Xantcha provides card advantage and resource acceleration at the cost of precise mana and card resources.
- The instant speed ability of Xantcha offers strategic flexibility, but it comes with a high mana value.
- Her distinct role in MTG commands attention for versatile deck-building and the art of gameplay subterfuge.
Text of card
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent enters the battlefield under the control of an opponent of your choice. Xantcha attacks each combat if able and can't attack its owner or planeswalkers its owner controls. : Xantcha's controller loses 2 life and you draw a card. Any player may activate this ability.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Xantcha, Sleeper Agent provides a unique form of card draw. When activated, any player can access this card advantage, potentially disrupting an opponent’s strategy while offering you card selection.
Resource Acceleration: By entering the battlefield under an opponent’s control and acting as an alternative mana sink, Xantcha can accelerate your resources. The mana used to activate her ability translates into card draw, converting excess mana into potential answers or threats.
Instant Speed: The ability to draw cards using Xantcha’s activated ability can be carried out at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react to the unfolding game state. This allows savvy players to optimize their turns, using mana efficiently and maintaining the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Xantcha Sleeper Agent demands that you forfeit some of your own resources to activate her ability. Each activation requires the sacrifice of two mana and a card, which could leave your hand empty if you’re not careful with your resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Xantcha Sleeper Agent requires a precise combination of mana colors, specifically one red, one black, and three generic mana. This stipulation can be restrictive, tying the card to a deck that specifically accommodates these colors and potentially disqualifying it from mono-color or other color combination decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, Xantcha sits on the higher end of the scale when it comes to cost-effectiveness. Considering the competitive landscape of Magic The Gathering, where players often seek the most impact for the lowest mana investment, there are alternatives that might be more cost-efficient for achieving similar or superior effects.
Reasons to Include Xantcha, Sleeper Agent in Your Collection
Versatility: Xantcha, Sleeper Agent offers a flexible play option as it can be integrated into various deck archetypes. Its ability to act as a political tool in multiplayer games or a focused damage dealer adds depth to both aggressive and control strategies.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Xantcha has strong synergies in commander games. The card’s ability to interact with life loss mechanics, forced card draw, and mana generation can open up numerous combo routes for an inventive deck-builder.
Meta-Relevance: Xantcha remains relevant in many play circles due to her unique interaction with opponents. In environments where games are drawn out or players benefit from others’ resources, Xantcha’s presence on the board can be a game-changing advantage.
How to beat
Overcoming the challenge of Xantcha, Sleeper Agent in your games requires a strategic approach. For starters, this unique card can become an asset for you even as it sits under an opponent’s control. Activate Xantcha’s ability to draw cards by spending mana, effectively using an opponent’s threat for your gain, while also whittling down their life total.
It’s crucial to note that once Xantcha is on the battlefield, she can’t attack her owner or planeswalkers controlled by her owner. Leverage this by redirecting your removal spells or focusing on other threats on the board. Moreover, if possible, use Xantcha’s life loss ability to manipulate the pace of the game to your favor, potentially using her as an unexpected finisher.
Xantcha’s dynamic provides an unorthodox angle of gameplay, blending both peril and potential. To truly neutralize her, be prepared with sacrifice effects or cards that can take command of another player’s creatures, such as Act of Treason, and turn the tables. The key is to stay flexible and view Xantcha not only as a threat but as a resource to exploit.
BurnMana Recommendations
The multifaceted nature of Xantcha, Sleeper Agent makes her a must-consider for any MTG player looking to inject a mix of disruption and advantage into their game. With her cardinal blend of resource acceleration, instant speed interaction, and combo potential, this sleeper agent awakens new levels of strategic depth. Crafting your deck to encompass such a card introduces a swathe of possibilities, especially in multiplayer environments where political and resource-swinging plays can dominate. Interested in fortifying your lineup with this distinctive operative? Let us guide you through mastering her abilities and capitalizing on her in-game utility to maximize your MTG dominance.
Cards like Xantcha, Sleeper Agent
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent, holds a unique role within Magic: The Gathering’s enigmatic rogues’ gallery. Comparable characters like Sleeper Agent present an immediate threat by gifting an underpowered creature to an opponent, but Xantcha stays on the field, providing a long-term strategic nuance. In contrast, cards like Captivating Crew allow players to seize control of opponents’ creatures, although only temporarily and without the political intrigue that Xantcha introduces to the game.
Comparisons can also be drawn to Rakdos Pit Dragon, which packs its own brand of potential, provided you achieve threshold with enough cards in the graveyard. However, Xantcha’s ability to be used by any player to draw cards offers a blend of disruption and advantage unseen in the Pit Dragon’s straightforward damage-dealing capacity.
When evaluating these options, Xantcha, Sleeper Agent redefines interactions on the battlefield, enabling strategies that can confuse and control opponents while subtly guiding the game’s diplomacy and resource management. Its distinction within the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering cards is clear, as it offers unique gameplay opportunities that are hard to replicate.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Xantcha, Sleeper Agent MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2018, 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 Xantcha, Sleeper Agent and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Xantcha, Sleeper Agent Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-11-16 | Treasure Chest | PZ2 | 70719 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Winters | |
| 2 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Winters | |
| 3 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1271 | 2015 | Normal | Black | JungShan | ||
| 4 | The List | PLST | C18-50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Winters | ||
| 5 | 2021-06-22 | Love Your LGS 2021 | PLG21 | C1 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Winters | |
| 6 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 362 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Winters | |
| 7 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 595 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Winters |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Xantcha, Sleeper Agent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Xantcha, Sleeper Agent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-07-13 | If Xantcha can’t attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player’s control that turn), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having it attack, the player isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either. |
| 2018-07-13 | If a player creates a token that’s a copy of Xantcha, the player who creates the token is its owner, not the player under whose control it enters the battlefield. This is a change from previous rules. |
| 2018-07-13 | The player who draws a card when Xantcha’s last ability resolves is the player who activated the ability. |
| 2018-07-13 | Xantcha’s controller may activate its last ability. In this case, the same player loses 2 life and draws a card. |
| 2018-07-13 | Xantcha’s first ability is a replacement effect that modifies how it enters the battlefield, not a triggered ability. Players can’t take actions (such as activating its last ability) while Xantcha’s on the battlefield before it’s controlled by another player. |
| 2019-08-23 | In a multiplayer game, if Xantcha’s owner leaves the game, Xantcha leaves the game with them. If Xantcha’s controller leaves the game, Xantcha is exiled. This is a change from previous rulings due to Xantcha’s updated wording. |
