Grenzo's Cutthroat MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Rogue
Abilities	Dethrone,First strike
Released	2014-06-06
Set symbol
Set name	Conspiracy
Set code	CNS
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	32
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

Grenzo’s Cutthroat offers board control by allowing instant-speed creature deployment, sharpening in-game tactics.
Its discard activation can backfire, yet it’s a formidable option for decks aligned with its casting cost.
Potent when paired with library and graveyard manipulators, it’s an aggressive play accelerator with damage potential.

Text of card

First strike Dethrone (Whenever this creature attacks the player with the most life or tied for most life, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)

"Their guards are soft, ready to welcome a sharp dagger."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grenzo’s Cutthroat can potentially create card advantage by allowing you to manipulate the bottom of your library. This enables better planning and access to desirable cards especially when combined with library shuffling effects or when you know the card types placed there through effects or gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: This creature’s ability to put creatures with power 2 or less from your library into play feeds directly into resource acceleration. By bypassing casting costs, you build your board presence faster, allowing you to deploy your strategy more effectively and efficiently, all while conserving mana for other crucial plays.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Grenzo’s Cutthroat’s activation can be used at instant speed. This provides the flexibility to utilize your mana on an opponent’s turn, waiting until the last moment to reveal a creature from your library and surprise your opponents with unforeseen blockers or effects.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Grenzo’s Cutthroat necessitates that you discard another card to activate its key ability. This can potentially drain your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage during the game’s critical moments.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a particular combination of mana to cast, including both black and red. This can complicate its inclusion in decks, especially those that are not optimized for a Rakdos (black/red) mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is on the upper side relative to its effects, Grenzo’s Cutthroat’s efficiency is questioned when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Optional cheaper alternatives might be better fits in decks looking for more immediate board impact.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Grenzo’s Cutthroat is a flexible card, capable of sliding into a variety of red decks, particularly those that value quick, aggressive gameplay. Its ability to potentially deal damage upon entering the battlefield makes it a fine choice for players looking to apply pressure early.

Combo Potential: With its unique damage-dealing mechanism, Grenzo’s Cutthroat pairs well with cards that manipulate the top of the library, ensuring you maximize its damage output. This dynamic grants players the opportunity to craft inventive combos and synergies, elevating the tactical depth of any deck.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where fast-paced strategies reign, having an early drop like Grenzo’s Cutthroat can be key. It matches well against slower, setup-dependent decks, giving the player a substantial edge in tempo and thus increasing its overall utility in a competitive setting.

How to beat

Grenzo’s Cutthroat is an intriguing piece on the gaming board that any MTG enthusiast should be aware of when strategizing. This card offers a unique ability to peek into the future of your deck, permitting you to manipulate upcoming plays. Despite its potential, overcoming this card involves understanding its strength which lies in manipulating deck order. A direct way to counter Grenzo’s Cutthroat is by employing instant-speed removal spells that can target it before the ability gets activated. Cards like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can dispatch it swiftly, bypassing its tricks.

Another effective strategy is to use graveyard disruption tools. By having cards such as Tormod’s Crypt or Bojuka Bog, you can eliminate the benefits Grenzo’s Cutthroat hopes to set up by cleaning out the graveyard. This directly sabotages the expected synergy, and timing these cards right can turn the tides in your favor. Additionally, countering abilities with cards like Stifle or Trickbind can nullify the activation, ensuring that your opponent’s plans are thwarted, and keeping you one step ahead in the duel.

Overall, keeping cool and using the right counters can help maintain control over the game, proving that even the craftiest cards like Grenzo’s Cutthroat can be outmaneuvered with the right tactics.

Cards like Grenzo's Cutthroat

Grenzo’s Cutthroat is an intriguing creature card that finds its place among MTG’s pantheon of damage-dealing minions. If we contrast it with Goblin Arsonist, an established low-cost option, we see both share the propensity to deal damage upon leaving the battlefield, a valuable trait for red decks that enjoy aggressive tactics. However, Grenzo’s Cutthroat distinguishes itself with a potentially higher damage output due to its power-boosting conditionals.

Mogg Fanatic presents itself as another card to compare. It allows players to sacrifice it at will to deal one damage, offering great control over timing and target. While Grenzo’s Cutthroat requires a bit more setup to fully unleash its potential, its ability to deal damage to any target as opposed to solely creatures or players does give it an edge in versatility.

Stepping up the ladder in terms of mana cost, we find Rakdos Shred-Freak. Though not dealing damage directly, it compensates with haste, allowing for immediate aggressive plays. Grenzo’s Cutthroat, while lacking haste, can surprise opponents with sudden bursts of damage, especially in decks built to manipulate creature deaths. This provides a strategic depth that can be exploited for tactical advantages in the right build.

Delving into the details of MTG’s array of creatures, it becomes clear that Grenzo’s Cutthroat has the capacity to be a formidable presence, particularly in decks that can manipulate and benefit from its departure-triggered damage.

Cards similar to Grenzo's Cutthroat by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grenzo's Cutthroat MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy, 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 Grenzo's Cutthroat and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grenzo's Cutthroat has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2014-05-29	Dethrone doesn’t trigger if the creature attacks a planeswalker, even if its controller has the most life.
2014-05-29	In a Two-Headed Giant game, dethrone will trigger if the creature attacks either player on the team with the most life or tied for the most life.
2014-05-29	Once dethrone triggers, it doesn’t matter what happens to the players’ life totals before the ability resolves. You’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature even if the defending player doesn’t have the most life as the ability resolves.
2014-05-29	The +1/+1 counter is put on the creature before blockers are declared.