Dauthi Cutthroat MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Dauthi Minion
Abilities	Shadow
Released	1998-06-15
Set symbol
Set name	Exodus
Set code	EXO
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	57
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dermot Power

Key Takeaways

Dauthi Cutthroat’s shadow ability offers consistent pressure on opponents and a strategic edge.
Its instant speed activation grants tactical flexibility during combat phases in tight games.
Despite its strengths, the card’s specific discard and mana requirements pose potential drawbacks.

Text of card

Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.) o1o B, oc T: Destroy target creature with shadow.

In their twisted logic, to empty the shadow world is to escape it.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dauthi Cutthroat can enhance your strategic dimension by providing advantageous attacks. Its shadow ability ensures it can only be blocked by creatures with shadow, allowing for consistent damage to the opponent and pressuring their life total.

Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, this card’s efficiency lies in its ability to disrupt opponent’s plans without needing to commit many resources. Being a 2/1 for two mana, it slips into the curve smoothly, sustaining tempo and potentially reducing the need for further investment in board control early on.

Instant Speed: The Cutthroat’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, affording you the flexibility to eliminate key blockers or threats, and maneuver unpredictably during combat phases. This reactive potential allows players to adapt to the evolving board state, making it a tactical asset during tightly contested matches.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carrying the burden of a discard condition, this notorious stealth card can backfire by depleting your hand. This drawback could leave you at a disadvantage, particularly when facing opponents who capitalize on reduced hand sizes.

Specific Mana Cost: With its allegiance to black mana, the Dauthi Cutthroat’s effectiveness is confined to decks that can consistently procure the necessary swamp energy. This could restrict deck-building freedom and prevent its inclusion in more versatile mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Devouring three mana, including one black, its casting cost demands a significant portion of your resources. When weighed against its capabilities, players might waver towards creature spells that yield greater power or carry additional abilities for the same, or lower, mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dauthi Cutthroat epitomizes adaptability as it slides effortlessly into black-centered or rogue-themed decks. Its shadow ability ensures it can be a reliable attacker each turn, unblockable by creatures without the same ability.

Combo Potential: Used in conjunction with cards that benefit from creatures dealing combat damage to a player, Dauthi Cutthroat enhances strategies based on direct attacks and various damage-triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where stealthy, difficult-to-block attackers can pressure opponents, Dauthi Cutthroat stands strong. Its role in evasion-centric decks becomes crucial, disrupting the flow of your opponent’s defenses.

How to beat

Dauthi Cutthroat presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield. As a shadow creature, it can be a tricky opponent to block due to its inherent shifty nature. This evasion capability can make Dauthi Cutthroat an annoying threat in MTG, particularly in formats where creatures without shadow are prevalent.

Countering Dauthi Cutthroat effectively requires either ample creature removal or a solid lineup of shadow creatures of your own. Removal spells are a reliable way to handle it before its ability to be unblockable becomes a persistent problem. Alternatively, deploying creatures with “reach” or those with the ability to block creatures with shadow, or even spells that force the opponent to sacrifice attacking creatures can mitigate the threat it poses.

In essence, addressing Dauthi Cutthroat boils down to staying one step ahead. Swift removal, strategic blocking options, or transformational sideboard choices that adapt to shadow-centric strategies are key to outmaneuvering an opponent using this evasive assassin.

Cards like Dauthi Cutthroat

Dauthi Cutthroat steps into the shadowy realm of evasive creatures within MTG, reminiscent of other stealthy combatants such as Dauthi Slayer. Both creatures share the shadow ability, making them unblockable except by creatures with shadow. However, Dauthi Cutthroat boasts a unique trick – it can become unblockable at instant speed for a small mana fee, rather than being inherently unblockable like the Dauthi Slayer.

Another similar card is Dauthi Horror, which also can’t be blocked by creatures without shadow. Yet, unlike Dauthi Cutthroat, it doesn’t offer the player the same tactical flexibility to surprise an opponent by sneaking past defenses on the fly. Still, Dauthi Horror compensates with a lower mana cost and a more aggressive early presence.

Surveying the stealthy options available, Dauthi Cutthroat presents a versatile choice for players who value precise control over their attacking opportunities. Its ability to adapt to the board’s state gives it a tactical edge over other shadow creatures, making it a formidable addition to any deck capitalizing on unblockability.

Cards similar to Dauthi Cutthroat by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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