Voldaren Ambusher MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 166
2022-01-28 - Number 166
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Archer |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Voldaren Ambusher enters the battlefield, if an opponent lost life this turn, it deals X damage to up to one target creature or planeswalker, where X is the number of Vampires you control.
"Gotcha."
Cards like Voldaren Ambusher
Voldaren Ambusher is a noteworthy card in the realm of creature-based removal options within Magic: The Gathering. This card reminds experienced players of other removal creatures like Plaguecrafter, which forces each player to sacrifice a creature or planeswalker, providing a clear board impact. Voldaren Ambusher, while specific to vampires, also triggers upon a condition—dealing combat damage which opens up opportunities for targeted removal.
Comparing it to creatures like Ravenous Chupacabra, Voldaren Ambusher doesn’t guarantee an immediate effect since it requires the vampire tribe synergy and combat damage to trigger. However, Ravenous Chupacabra doesn’t have the tribal limitation but offers a surefire creature removal once it enters the battlefield. Flametongue Kavu is another comparable card, providing direct creature removal without the tribal condition, yet it lacks the recurring potential that Voldaren Ambusher holds within a dedicated vampire deck.
Choosing among these depends on deck strategy and synergy. In a vampire-themed deck, Voldaren Ambusher can serve as a recurring removal tool, whereas other non-tribal cards might find their place in a variety of decks seeking immediate and unconditional creature control. Despite its conditional activation, Voldaren Ambusher holds its own as a strategic choice for Magic: The Gathering players who capitalize on vampire synergy.
Cards similar to Voldaren Ambusher by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Voldaren Ambusher. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Voldaren Ambusher lets you ping an opponent when it or another Vampire enters the battlefield under your control, potentially whittling down their life total and maintaining pressure without expending additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: As a part of a synergistic Vampire deck, Voldaren Ambusher can accelerate your board state by working in tandem with Vampire synergies that care about dealing damage, triggering advantageous effects that could lead to overwhelming your opponent more swiftly.
Instant Speed: Its ability triggers during any phase – including the instant speed interactions typical of Vampire decks. This allows Voldaren Ambusher to subtly integrate into the pace of your game plan, keeping opponents on their toes and capitalizing on the dynamics of instant-speed play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When using Voldaren Ambusher, players must be wary of the discard requirement, which could put you at a disadvantage by reducing your hand count. This can be especially troublesome if you’re holding critical cards you can’t afford to lose.
Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a blend of red and black mana, demanding a well-tuned mana base to play efficiently. This restricts its use, potentially making Voldaren Ambusher less flexible in multi-color decks that may not prioritize these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher end for its abilities, Voldaren Ambusher might not be the most mana-efficient choice in your deck. There are alternatives in the game that could offer similar or better effects at a lower mana investment, making it important to weigh the cost against other options in your strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Voldaren Ambusher’s role as a utility creature means it can easily slide into a variety of red or vampire-themed decks. With its ability to deal damage when vampires enter the battlefield, it serves as both a threat and a tactical piece on the board.
Combo Potential: This card shines when integrated into strategies built around vampire synergies or decks focusing on enter-the-battlefield triggers. It can work in tandem with other cards to create potent combinations that capitalize on an expanding vampire presence.
Meta-Relevance: Due to its specific damage-dealing ability, Voldaren Ambusher can be a key player in environments where small utility creatures dominate and need to be kept in check. It’s also a valuable tool against token strategies, which are prevalent in various formats.
How to beat
Voldaren Ambusher offers a strategic edge in Magic: The Gathering, bringing both direct damage and board control to the table. When facing off against this card, remember it shines in Vampire-themed decks, especially when interacting with numerous creatures on the battlefield. A common tactic to counter Voldaren Ambusher is limiting the number of creatures in your arsenal, thereby reducing its ability to capitalize on its ping effect on attacking or blocking.
Equally critical is maintaining removal spells or instant-speed interaction, which can disrupt the Ambusher’s value during combat. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push can efficiently remove the Ambusher before it can cause significant impact. Always prioritize keeping direct damage spells or flexible removal in hand when the Ambusher is a known factor in your opponent’s deck. It’s a necessary measure to prevent the Ambusher from locking down board dominance.
In essence, the key to beating Voldaren Ambusher lies in savvy play, judicious creature management, and well-timed removal. Navigating around this card’s potential requires an understanding of its synergies within its deck environment and preemptive strategies to mitigate its effects.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Voldaren Ambusher MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Voldaren Ambusher 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
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Printings
The Voldaren Ambusher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Evyn Fong.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 166 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 166 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Evyn Fong |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Voldaren Ambusher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Voldaren Ambusher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | Voldaren Ambusher's ability cares whether an opponent lost life this turn, not how their life total changed. For example, an opponent who gained 2 life and lost 1 life in the same turn still lost life. |
| 2021-09-24 | Voldaren Ambusher's ability counts the number of Vampires you control as it resolves. If something happens in response such that you don't control any Vampires when it resolves, Voldaren Ambusher won't deal damage to the target creature or planeswalker. |