Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 190
2023-03-21 - Number 184
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Werewolf |
| Abilities | Haste,Transform |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Haste At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Village Messenger.
"I'm afraid it's bad news."
Cards like Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder
Village Messenger, which transforms into Moonrise Intruder, is a unique creature in MTG with a quick transformation ability that is highly valued. When compared to similar flip cards, one of these is Delver of Secrets. Like the Village Messenger, Delver of Secrets is a one-mana creature that transforms, in this case into a flying insect. However, it requires the reveal of an instant or sorcery to flip, whereas the Village Messenger hinges on whether opponents cast two spells in a turn. This can position the Village Messenger as a faster option in aggressive decks.
Analogous to Moonrise Intruder is Reckless Waif, which transforms into Merciless Predator. Both require no spells to be cast by an opponent during their turn to transform. However, Village Messenger has haste, allowing it to attack immediately, which Reckless Waif lacks. This gives Village Messenger a significant tempo advantage in aggressive red decks. Furthermore, Village Messenger also fits well within werewolf tribal themes, synergizing with other werewolves through its transformation trigger.
Comparing Village Messenger with other flip or werewolf creatures in MTG, its immediacy and aggression make it a substantial choice for players aiming to apply pressure early in the game. The card’s ability to switch forms under specific circumstances gives it versatility that is well-regarded among creature-based strategies.
Cards similar to Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The transformative nature of Village Messenger gives a player access to two abilities within one card, effectively increasing the utility of the card without having to use additional card slots in a deck.
Resource Acceleration: As a one-mana creature, Village Messenger allows for an aggressive start. When flipped into Moonrise Intruder, the Menace ability makes it difficult to block, applying pressure on your opponent and potentially disrupting their resource allocation as they must consider multiple blockers.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the flip condition to turn Village Messenger into Moonrise Intruder can occur at instant speed during an opponent’s turn if no spells were cast. This not only can surprise an enemy but also makes it a flexible card that adapts to the pace and style of each individual match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Village Messenger, which transforms into Moonrise Intruder, does not have a discard requirement itself, it may prompt unfavorable discards to meet the requirement for transforming, namely having no spells cast in a turn. This can lead to a strategic disadvantage as players may have to choose between holding onto cards versus advancing the board state with the transformation.
Specific Mana Cost: Village Messenger is fixed at a single red mana for casting. This can be restrictive as it’s suited primarily for fast-paced, red-based aggressive decks, thus limiting its inclusion in multi-colored or other archetype strategies that may not benefit from its quick playstyle.
Comparitively High Mana Cost: Although the initial cost is low, the upkeep in an aggressive deck can be high. Players might encounter scenarios where the transformed Moonrise Intruder’s two mana cost for Menace can be deemed high when considering alternative two-drops available in the MTG card pool that may offer a higher impact or utility in a match.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Village Messenger, which transforms into Moonrise Intruder, is a flexible addition to any aggressive red deck. During your opponent’s turns where they haven’t cast any spells, this quick creature flips into an even more threatening form, adapting to the flow of the game.
Combo Potential: With its werewolf trait, it pairs well with strategies that capitalize on transforming mechanics or those that reward you for playing werewolves and other creature types. This can lead to powerful synergies within your deck.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where quick, aggressive play is advantageous, Village Messenger thrives. It prompts early decisions from your opponent and can apply pressure in the early game, which is crucial in certain matchups.
How to beat
The intriguing Village Messenger, and its transformed version, Moonrise Intruder, present interesting challenges on the battlefield. This card, woven into the fabric of Magic: The Gathering’s diverse strategies, embodies the werewolf duality. Its speed as a one-drop creature fits seamlessly into aggressive red decks, making it a card to confront early on.
Neutralizing this card effectively hinges on preventing it from flipping. Achieve this by ensuring you cast at least one spell during your own turn, which keeps the Village Messenger in its initial, less threatening form. Additionally, since it boasts haste, it’s essential to establish a board presence with creatures ready to block it or to employ spot removal promptly.
By adopting a strategy that combines consistent spell casting with board control, you can mitigate the impact of the Village Messenger. Avoid letting the night fall on your game, as the Moonrise Intruder emerges stronger and hungrier, pressing the advantage for your opponent. Containment and pace are key to prevailing against this lycanthropic threat in the enchanting game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 190 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 184 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Village Messenger // Moonrise Intruder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | The abilities that transform a Werewolf back and forth look at the entire previous turn, even if the Werewolf with that ability wasn’t on the battlefield for some or all of that turn. |
| 2016-04-08 | To trigger the Werewolf’s back face’s transform ability, a single player must have cast two or more spells during the previous turn. If multiple players each cast just one spell during the previous turn, the ability won’t trigger. |
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |