Undercover Butler MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Rogue |
| Released | 2024-02-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: Clue Edition |
| Set code | CLU |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 49 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kim Sokol |
Text of card
Whenever Undercover Butler attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, it can't be blocked this turn.
Dress for the job you want them to think you have.
Cards like Undercover Butler
The Undercover Butler card slots neatly into the world of Magic: The Gathering creature cards that focus on board presence and secondary effects. Its distinctive mechanism triggers on death, allowing you to cast a spell with a converted mana cost of 4 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost. This resembles the aristocratic strategy of cards like Pitiless Plunderer, which turns creature deaths into resource advantages. However, Pitiless Plunderer generates Treasure tokens, while Undercover Butler focuses on a one-time spell cost reduction.
In a similar breath, Omen Hawk resonates as a creature providing value beyond its presence, giving a minor stat boost to the top two creatures in your deck. Though this ability is starkly different from casting a free spell, it shares the strategy of providing a beneficial effect from a two-cost creature. Nevertheless, Undercover Butler’s ability to spring a surprise spell could be seen as a more impactful game-changer, especially when curating a hand to exploit this unique trigger.
When we analyze the impact and versatility of creature cards in the game, Undercover Butler offers a deck a significant strategic depth in the form of both a serviceable creature and a potential explosive spell play, distinguishing itself smartly within the creature spell synergy category.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Undercover Butler works efficiently to provide card advantage by potentially recursing a key card from your graveyard to your hand, ensuring you always have the resources needed to outmaneuver your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This vigilant attendant isn’t just about service; it’s about speeding up your game plan. While it may not directly generate mana or treasures, being a low-cost creature allows you to maintain board presence while keeping mana open for other crucial plays.
Instant Speed: The ability to flash in Undercover Butler gives you the upper hand, allowing you to maintain the element of surprise. Its ability to enter the battlefield at instant speed adds a layer of complexity to your strategy, enabling you to react to your opponent’s moves efficiently and with an unexpected twist.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Undercover Butler might compel you to discard another card, which can be detrimental if you’re already managing a sparse hand. This aspect requires weighing the potential field advantage against the immediate hand size reduction.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost demands both white and blue mana, which could restrict its incorporation solely to decks that can readily supply both colors. This specificity narrows strategic flexibility compared to more color-flexible options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Undercover Butler’s mana requirement may be seen as steep for its utility. Players often consider alternative cards that may provide a similar effect or fit into their mana curve more efficiently, offering better overall value or immediate board presence.
Reasons to Include Undercover Butler in Your Collection
Versatility: Undercover Butler is a unique pick for your collection due to its flexible nature. It can slip into various deck archetypes, primarily serving in strategies that demand creatures which can operate efficiently both in life gain and control setups.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with effects that benefit from death triggers or enter the battlefield synergies. Its ability to grant card advantage upon death makes it an excellent piece for combo engines that rely on recurring or sacrificing creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state that’s abundant with creature-based strategies, Undercover Butler stands out. Its capacity to monitor the board and impact the game post-removal aligns perfectly with decks that aim to maintain persistence and resilience against opponents.
How to beat
The Undercover Butler card brings an interesting dynamic to the battlefield in any game of MTG. Being a creature that possesses both lifelink and the ability to become an artifact, it introduces versatility and a unique defense mechanism. To effectively tackle this card, players should consider employing removal spells that target both creatures and artifacts. As the Butler transitions from creature to artifact upon death, instant speed removal spells can be particularly useful in dealing with it before its controller has the chance to reap the benefits from its second life as an artifact.
It’s also worth noting the strategic use of exile effects. These help bypass the Butler’s artifact transformation, removing it from play entirely. Board wipes can be a double-edged sword; they’ll reset the playing field but ensure the Undercover Butler doesn’t come back as an equipment, cutting off an opponent’s game plan abruptly. Timing is key – dealing with the Butler before its controller has a chance to capitalize on either of its forms helps maintain control over the match.
Ultimately, while the Undercover Butler can bring unexpected twists to a match, being prepared with versatile removal is the best strategy to mitigate the impact of this chameleonic card on your game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Undercover Butler MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: Clue 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 Undercover Butler 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 Undercover Butler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |