Undercover Operative MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Shapeshifter Rogue
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Evasive and synergetic, Undercover Operative excels at uninterrupted board presence and resource acceleration.
  2. Highly specific mana needs and discard requirements may limit its effectiveness in some deck strategies.
  3. Blending types and mimicry, this card is pivotal for decks focused on adaptability and combo potential.

Text of card

You may have Undercover Operative enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it enters with a shield counter on it if you control that creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Undercover Operative’s ability to avoid being targeted by your opponents’ spells or abilities makes it an exceptional asset for maintaining board presence. This can indirectly contribute to card advantage as it negates the need for using spells or resources to protect this creature.

Resource Acceleration: As a Rogue, Undercover Operative synergizes well with other cards that benefit from having a Rogue in play, potentially accelerating your resource development. Its unblockable nature also guarantees consistent damage, aiding in the activation of raid or spectacle mechanics.

Instant Speed: Though Undercover Operative itself isn’t an instant, its low mana cost and evasion capabilities make it a prime candidate to be played off of flash enablers. This allows for dynamic playmaking at instant speed, keeping opponents uncertain and on the defensive while you’re able to quickly develop your game plan.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Undercover Operative’s play dynamics necessitate a card discard, which may not be favorable when your hand is already depleted, or key strategies rely on maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Undercover Operative comes with a strict blue mana requirement that can be a stumbling block in multicolored decks that might struggle with mana fixing or in situations where blue mana sources are disrupted or limited.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, Undercover Operative faces stiff competition from other creatures and spells that could offer more immediate impact or versatility for a similar or lower investment, potentially relegating it to a less optimal choice in deck building strategies.


Reasons to Include Undercover Operative in Your Collection

Versatility: Undercover Operative offers adaptive play styles, given its capacity to become any creature type. This adaptability is perfect for tribal decks or those capitalizing on specific type synergies.

Combo Potential: Its ability to gain the properties of other creatures opens up a plethora of combo possibilities, aligning perfectly with cards that benefit from certain creature type interactions or presence on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where creature-based strategies and type-matters mechanics are prevalent, Undercover Operative’s flexible nature allows it to play a pivotal role in matching and countering the deck traits of opponents.


How to beat

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Undercover Operative is key to overcoming this elusive threat in Magic: The Gathering. The Operative has a unique ability that makes it truly formidable — it can become unblockable as long as it remains enchantment-free. To counter this, one must cleverly rely on removal spells that circumvent its strengths. The use of board wipes like Wrath of God can effectively clear the Operative regardless of its unblockable status.

In addition, employing targeted removal that doesn’t involve enchantments, such as Murder or Doom Blade, can take down the Operative without the need for it to become a legal target. It’s also worth noting that if your opponent is heavily relying on the Undercover Operative, graveyard interaction spells like Scavenging Ooze or Leyline of the Void can be instrumental in ensuring it doesn’t make a comeback once it hits the graveyard. By implementing these strategies and maintaining control over the board, you can neutralize the threat of Undercover Operative and keep your opponent’s plans in check.


BurnMana Recommendations

Reflecting on Undercover Operative’s multifaceted play opportunities and strategic depth, its inclusion could be a game-changer in your MTG collection. The card’s evasion and adaptability align well with myriad deck archetypes and offer a unique angle in combat scenarios. Whether you’re intrigued by its ability to skate past defenses or captivated by its potential for combos, Undercover Operative is an asset worth considering. Dive into a world where each move is a stealthy step towards victory and discover how this card can covertly turn the tides of battle in your favor. Unveil more insights and ways to optimize your deck with Undercover Operative by joining us for an in-depth exploration.


Cards like Undercover Operative

The Undercover Operative is a unique creature card that adds a tactical layer to game strategies in Magic: The Gathering, much like its counterparts with lower casting costs or similar evasive abilities. Take the Phantom Ninja, for instance; it shares the unblockable trait but lacks the ability to copy other creatures. While the elusive aspect of the Phantom Ninja shapes a straightforward damage output strategy, Undercover Operative’s copying factor broadens the parameters of potential gameplay.

Moreover, consider the card Metamorphic Alteration. This enchantment also mirrors the ability to copy another creature, but it’s the duality of being a creature and a copying effect bundled into one that gives Undercover Operative a distinct advantage. Unlike Metamorphic Alteration, Undercover Operative keeps the board presence robust with an actual creature that serves both offensive and flexible roles.

When assessing the role of versatile creature cards within player decks, the Undercover Operative evidently finds its niche. It combines evasion with impactful mimicry, setting it apart from its kin, and thus, earns a place for those seeking an adaptable, infiltrative approach to their game plan.

Phantom Ninja - MTG Card versions
Metamorphic Alteration - MTG Card versions
Phantom Ninja - MTG Card versions
Metamorphic Alteration - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Undercover Operative MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Streets of New Capenna, 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 Operative and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Undercover Operative Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Tyler Walpole.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 997132015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
22022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 4142015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
32022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 63s2015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
42022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 63p2015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
52022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 632015NormalBlackTyler Walpole

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Undercover Operative has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-04-29 A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch.
2022-04-29 If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed.
2022-04-29 If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed.
2022-04-29 Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature.
2022-04-29 Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
2022-04-29 “Shield” is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal.