Unlucky Drop MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2023-11-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan |
| Set code | LCI |
| Number | 82 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Patrik Hell |
Text of card
Target artifact or creature's owner puts it on the top or bottom of their library.
"First rule down here is the same as it is on the water: always double-check your knots." —Captain Lannery Storm
Cards like Unlucky Drop
The card Unlucky Drop enters the stage as an intriguing piece in Magic: The Gathering’s array of risk-versus-reward spells. It can be juxtaposed with something like Risky Move, which also tempts fate by playing with chance elements within the game. While Unlucky Drop might force a player to sacrifice a creature if the dice roll unfavorably, Risky Move shifts control of creatures to opponents at random, which can dramatically alter the board state.
In the same realm, Gamble provides a similar adrenaline rush with its prospect of discarding a potentially crucial card at random after tutoring a card from the library. It’s less mana-intensive and offers more control over the outcome, albeit still with a significant element of risk. Desperate Gambit is another card that shares the theme of chance, offering a boost in power but with the peril of losing the creature during combat if luck isn’t on your side.
In summation, Unlucky Drop balances on the knife-edge of potential benefit against the threat of disadvantage, much like its counterparts. Each card in this category invites players who are willing to challenge the whims of fortune, adding an unpredictable twist to the metagame of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Unlucky Drop by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unlucky Drop offers a unique twist on card advantage by potentially stripping your opponent of valuable cards and bolstering your hand when luck is on your side.
Resource Acceleration: This card disrupts the flow of the game by providing potential access to unexpected resources, essentially accelerating your strategy while possibly slowing down your opponent’s.
Instant Speed: The power of Unlucky Drop shines at instant speed, allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment to cast it – perhaps in response to an opponent’s action or at the end of their turn for maximum impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tapping into the swirling energies of chaos, Unlucky Drop necessitates the forfeit of a card from your hand, which can often translate into relinquishing a slice of your strategic arsenal, especially harrowing during those critical moments when each card holds the potential to sway the tide of battle.
Specific Mana Cost: The spell’s incantation binds you to a demanding and inflexible mana alignment. Its requirement for a combination of both colorless and black mana ties your fate to the availability of these specific resources, potentially leaving players scrabbling to align their mana base or forcing them into a corner where they’re unable to summon it from their arsenal when most needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As you weigh the scales of power and cost, Unlucky Drop demands a heavy tribute of four mana. In the vast landscape of the multiverse, savvy conjurors may find alternative spells that invoke similar havoc but with less of a toll on their mana reserves, thereby granting them an edge in the relentless pursuit of victory.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Unlucky Drop can easily find its place in diverse playing strategies, particularly in decks that aim to manipulate the odds and capitalize on the element of chance.
Combo Potential: This card has the ability to synergize with mechanics that reward or manipulate coin flips and could be a linchpin in a luck-themed combo deck.
Meta-Relevance: In an ever-shifting game landscape, Unlucky Drop’s unique mechanics can catch opponents off guard, making it a tactical choice against decks less prepared for random outcomes.
How to beat Unlucky Drop
Unlucky Drop stands as a unique challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, forcing players to navigate around its potent ability to skew the odds in favor of its controller. To neutralize its impact, successful strategies often involve targeting the card before its effects can accumulate to a game-swinging advantage. Cards with instant-speed removal or counter-spells are key in preempting the activation of Unlucky Drop’s ability. It’s also wise to prioritize card selection that can handle threats without hitting the battlefield, thus circumventing Unlucky Drop’s manipulative power.
Additionally, controlling the flow of your own draws is crucial. Utilizing scry, surveil, or other deck manipulation tools can ensure that the cards you draw are less affected by the whims of chance that Unlucky Drop introduces. Deck types that can operate efficiently with a versatile set of cards or those that employ recursion from the graveyard can adapt to the fickleness Unlucky Drop inflicts and maintain a solid footing in the match.
Ultimately, incorporating preemptive disruption, strategic draw control, and adaptable playstyles can tip the scales back in your favor against the randomness wielded by an opponent’s Unlucky Drop.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unlucky Drop MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Unlucky Drop 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 Unlucky Drop has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Unlucky Drop card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | The permanent's owner chooses whether to put it on the top or bottom of their library. If multiple cards are put into the library this way (such as when the spell targets a melded permanent), that permanent's owner puts all the cards on top or all the cards on the bottom. They put them in whatever order they wish, and do not need to reveal the order. |