Tricks of the Trade MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 74
2017-04-15 - Number 14
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+0 and is unblockable.
"Pathetic. You might as well have protected your treasures with a paper box and some string."
Cards like Tricks of the Trade
Tricks of the Trade is an intriguing enchantment spell that’s woven into the fabric of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives are cards like Aqueous Form and Artful Dodge which also provide creatures the ability to become unblockable. Tricks of the Trade stands out with its additional two blue mana in its casting cost but compensates with a valuable +2/+0 boost to the enchanted creature’s power.
Comparatively, Cloak of Mists is another enchantment with a similar effect, granting unblockability to a creature. While it doesn’t increase power like Tricks of the Trade, its lower casting cost makes it a lightweight alternative. Ghostform is yet another spell in this box of tricks with the added flexibility of targeting two creatures for one single event, although it lacks the permanence of an enchanting aura.
In evaluating Tricks of the Trade against its counterparts, it shows itself to be a solid choice in decks that aim to deliver powerful, unblockable attacks. Its balance between cost and the power boost offers strategic depth for players who wish to tip the scales in their favor during combat.
Cards similar to Tricks of the Trade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tricks of the Trade shines by offering an enhanced offensive capability, enabling a creature not only to become unblockable but also boosting its power. This dual benefit can lead to consistent damage to the opponent and potential card advantage, as it pressures the opponent to find an answer or lose valuable life points.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly generate mana or Treasure tokens, applying Tricks of the Trade effectively helps maintain resource acceleration by ensuring your key creatures remain on the board and in the fight. By making a creature unblockable, you’re effectively saving mana and resources that might have been spent on less secure attack strategies.
Instant Speed: Although Tricks of the Trade is not an instant, the long-term strategic advantage it applies at sorcery speed can be likened to the benefits typically reaped from instant-speed interaction. It shifts the resource dedication to your main phase, allowing you to strategize around your opponent’s plays without needing to keep mana untapped.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The need to discard a card can be detrimental when your hand is already diminished, potentially putting you at a further disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This spell’s UU2 mana cost demands a dedicated blue mana base, which could restrict its inclusion in multicolored or splash decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the effect of granting unblockable can be a game-changer, other cards may provide similar or additional benefits at a lower mana investment, detracting from its competitive edge.
Reasons to Include Tricks of the Trade in Your Collection
Versatility: Tricks of the Trade is a flexible enchantment that can be a game-changer in blue decks. It’s able to turn any creature into a significant threat by making it unblockable, allowing for consistent damage and unexpected wins.
Combo Potential: When combined with cards that benefit from dealing combat damage to a player, like card-draw or damage-triggered abilities, this card becomes a potent asset, enabling various interactions and synergies within your strategy.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the prevalence of creature-based decks, being able to sneak past blockers can give you an edge. In metas where ground stalls are common, this card helps maintain offensive momentum, making it a timely addition to your deckbuilding toolbox.
How to Beat Tricks of the Trade
Tricks of the Trade is an intriguing blue aura that can turn an unassuming creature into a significant threat by granting it unblockability and a power boost. In a game of Magic: The Gathering, it’s crucial to have a strategy to counter such enhancements. One of the most effective tactics is to keep removal spells at the ready. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize can directly target and destroy Tricks of the Trade, nullifying its effects before they can influence the game’s outcome.
Another strategy is to rely on counterspells when Tricks of the Trade is cast. By preventing the aura from hitting the field, you maintain control over the board. Finally, consider utilizing board wipes or global removal spells, addressing not just the aura but also the creature it’s attached to. It’s always wise to anticipate your opponent’s moves and have answers to potential threats like Tricks of the Trade, ensuring your path to victory remains clear.
Remember, adapting your gameplay to deal with these types of cards and managing your resources carefully will give you the upper hand against such auras. Stay vigilant, and you’ll navigate around these tricks with ease, leading your deck to triumph.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tricks of the Trade MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Welcome Deck 2017, 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 Tricks of the Trade 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
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Printings
The Tricks of the Trade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2017-04-15. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 74 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
| 2 | 2017-04-15 | Welcome Deck 2017 | W17 | 14 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tricks of the Trade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |