Trickster Mage MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Spellshaper |
| Released | 2000-02-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Nemesis |
| Set code | NEM |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 49 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alan Rabinowitz |
Text of card
o U, oc T, Discard a card from your hand: Tap or untap target artifact, creature, or land.
"If it ain't broke, I'll break it. If it *is* broke, I'll fix it."
Cards like Trickster Mage
Trickster Mage’s unique flexibility within the realm of creature-based strategies makes it a card with few direct comparisons in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative might be Torch Courier, which also grants a degree of haste to your other creatures. However, Trickster Mage comes with an additional layer of versatility, allowing you to untap your creatures—an action that can prove to be both defensive and offensive in nature.
Looking into more control oriented decks, Merfolk Trickster stands out as a kindred card, momentarily disabling a target creature’s abilities and tapping it. Though the effects are somewhat akin, Trickster Mage tends to offer more proactive plays, focusing on reusing creature abilities or responding swiftly to combat scenarios. Additionally, Fatestitcher offers similar untap utility, but requires a higher investment both in mana and setup, as it comes with the unearth ability for one-time use.
Ultimately, Trickster Mage carves a distinct niche for itself, providing players with strategic depth and opportunities for imaginative play combinations, solidifying its role as a multifaceted tool for MTG enthusiasts keen on creature-centric tactics.
Cards similar to Trickster Mage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Trickster Mage offers a unique ability that lets you swap a card in your hand for the top card of your library, potentially replacing a less useful card with a more relevant one. This can continually refine your hand, ensuring you stay ahead in the game.
Resource Acceleration: By allowing you to play with the top card of your library revealed, the Trickster Mage effectively increases your resources. This can give you extra options and allow you to plan ahead, knowing what’s coming up next and how you can use that to your advantage.
Instant Speed: The Trickster Mage’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, providing a tactical advantage. By utilizing this speed, you can adapt to the changing game state and execute your strategies during unexpected moments, catching opponents off-guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With Trickster Mage, players are often faced with the tough decision of discarding another card to unleash its full potential. This can be especially challenging when your hand is already dwindling, making the card a risky play if you’re unable to maintain a healthy card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This particular mage demands a precise mix of mana to cast. Deck builders who wish to incorporate the Trickster Mage into their strategic composition must take into account that its casting cost necessitates a commitment to its color alignment, potentially limiting its versatility in a multi-color deck setup.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the abilities of the Trickster Mage card might seem appealing, the investment doesn’t always align with the payoff. When assessing the opportunity cost, mana-savvy players often point out that the resources spent on casting this card could be allocated to other cards with a more impactful presence on the board, making it a less than optimal choice in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Trickster Mage in Your Collection
Versatility: Trickster Mage offers the ability to adapt across various deck archetypes due to its instant-speed interaction. This makes it a nimble card that’s great for fending off opponents’ threats or surprising them with sudden twists during gameplay.
Combo Potential: As a card that can untap another target creature, Trickster Mage can be a key piece in intricate combo lines. Whether it’s enabling repeatable abilities or escalating enter-the-battlefield effects, this card can be the linchpin of a winning strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures and creature-based strategies dominate, being able to manipulate the state of the battlefield can give players an edge. Trickster Mage’s ability to interact with creatures at crucial moments keeps it relevant and often a step ahead of the current competitive scene.
How to beat
When facing off against the Trickster Mage in MTG, astute players recognize the need for a strategic approach. This creature card is known for its slippery nature, which often allows it to elude common removal spells. For the opponent, the key lies in being able to anticipate and disrupt its sneaky tactics. One effective strategy is to utilize spells that can’t be countered or to employ effects that strip the Mage of its abilities, such as those found on cards like Crippling Chill or Frogify.
Moreover, aiming for board wipes like Wrath of God can bypass the Trickster Mage’s protection from targeted spells. Cards granting hexproof or shroud to your permanents can also be a bulwark against the Mage’s trickery. Players should remember to keep removal options versatile and stay ready to adapt to the fluid battle conditions this Mage thrives in.
In essence, overcoming the Trickster Mage requires a blend of foresight, flexibility, and the inclusion of global effects that limit its capability to weave through defenses. Mastering the timing and execution of these elements can swing the match in your favor, securing victory even in the face of such elusive opposition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Trickster Mage MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Trickster Mage 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Trickster Mage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |